Customer Wise

Before I start writing about drinks I thought I should write a bit about whom we are making them for.

Guests! 

Because one of the reasons we are make those drinks is our customers.

You have to know your customer! Not literally :) 

But we, bartenders, have to gather quite a bit of information as quickly as possible before we start serving the guests. Information about the places and businesses around, if customers are locals or tourists. Did your customer came with family, friends or colleagues and what's the occasion.

All these tiny factors might change consumers choice. Knowing them will help you to guide your guests through an experience. 

Short story: This happened to me a few years ago while I was working in this funky all day Spanish tapas and late evening Dj bar in London. It was a quiet Sunday evening. As usual on Sundays we had a "Cool" DJ playing reggae in the basement, so you can imagine the were our customers that evening. It wasn't busy, maybe around 30 guests on the premises and restaurants close by were pretty quiet too.

The next moment the door opened and this girl in her late 20's stepped into the bar. Straight away I said:

Unfortunately for you miss, I have red "Lucky Strike" and the strongest "Dunhill" only.

She stood there, by the door, frozen for a moment. Then I'll have "Lucky Strike", she said. After she asked me, how did i know that she only wanted cigarettes. 

I have told you about the bar little bit. What did I know about the guest? Nothing until she walked in to the bar. I had never seen her before in this bar too. But when she stepped into the bar from her eyes I knew she was looking for something. She was dressed quite stylishly, like she was on the date. I could tell from her high heels that she wasn't the fan of reggae too. From head to toe dressed in designer clothing and holding a little back bag like she came in to the place to get something.  If she was looking for toilet, she would be looking around the premises for the toilet sign, but she wasn't. She was looking at the bar, but the music and the crowd we had that evening weren't her style either. The last bit of information I knew was that the restaurant next door didn't sell cigarettes at all. 
The girl said she was surprised that the bartender could read his customers so well and added that she would come back some time to try my drinks too. 

Information is the key. Unlock the knowledge. 

You been served by Bar Alchemist.