Ask a Bartender: Why Do You Need My Credit Card to Start a Tab?
Sunday, September 27, 2015
When a bartender asks, “do you want to start a tab?” it seems like a no-brainer until the bartender asks for their credit card, then it’s as if the music stops for a second. Relax, the bartender is not going to buy a round of Patron shots for everyone the second you turn around. Your card is going two places: to the register to enter your name, and to the tab jar or cup or Rolodex, or whatever filing system the bar has in place for organizing customer cards.
So, why do we need your card? Well, if it’s busy enough that we are asking for your card, chances are you are not staying in one spot in front of my register for the whole night. People wander. You might try out your best two-step and just get carried away and two-step right out the door by last call. You might think the line is too long and cut your losses leaving your card with us for the night thinking you’ll walk of shame back in the next day to pick it up with any lingering dignity you may have tucked away next to the coat check. Keeping your card is a guarantee that your tab will be paid at the end of the night regardless of where you wander off. Well, that’s assuming there are sufficient funds on your card and you aren’t scamming us, and/or buying out the bar by the bottle. Scams aside, keeping your card is security.
Pam Martin bartends at Compass Tavern at 90 Harding Street in Worcester every Friday night and Sunday afternoon.
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