# Bartenders. How often did someone buy a round for the house? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 1, 2022, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725 "2022-02-01T03:50:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725/1 "2022-02-01T03:50:38Z")
Let’s try this again in the right forum. Title says it all. Followup question. Any interesting related stories? ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725/2 "2022-02-01T04:05:17Z")
Depends on which job. At the airport bars/restaurants pretty much never…except for one time a flight to vegas was delayed and a group of like 10 rednecks going to some tractor convention came in. They order rounds for each other while talking about tractors loudly. We took great great care of them since they were the only ones in the bar. When their flight was finally called, every single fucker stiffed us except for one guy who left a handful of change. At nightclubs, I’d say say once a week someone buys a round for the bar, tho not for everybody in the house. Dive bars it can happen a few times a night, depending on the crowd. Usually more often when only a handful of people are around. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725/3 "2022-02-01T04:32:32Z")
I’ve walked into my local tavern after a particularly good day, and thought "Damn, it’d be fun to buy a round for… ten, twelve, fourteen folks drinking pints and looks like ten people drinking cocktails. So a round would cost at least a hundred and fifty… my day wasn’t _that_ good. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725/4 "2022-02-01T13:22:51Z")
I’ve walked into a bar when there was only one other customer, and told the bartender I wanted to buy everyone a drink. An hour later when there was a decent crowd the bartender was telling all who would listen that earlier **kayaker** bought a round for the house. ---
**Author:** ![batsto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b2d939/32.png) [@batsto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/batsto)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725/5 "2022-02-01T13:52:19Z")
How does ‘buying a round’ work? I’ve only ever seen it on TV or movies in very crowded bars—how does the bar tender keep track of who has or hasn’t had their one free drink? Or does this only happen in real life when there’s a small number of people in the bar? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725/6 "2022-02-01T13:53:25Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > We took great great care of them since they were the only ones in the bar. When their flight was finally called, every single fucker stiffed us except for one guy who left a handful of change. - I’m confused. I would have thought only regulars could run a tab like that. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725/7 "2022-02-01T13:55:41Z")
> [@batsto](#): > > how does the bar tender keep track of who has or hasn’t had their one free drink? Bars I visit hand out tokens good for one drink to everyone, then get the generous dude’s money. Drinkers “spend” their tokens as need arises. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725/8 "2022-02-01T15:28:42Z")
I took “stiffed” to mean _left no tip_ on this case. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725/9 "2022-02-01T20:31:29Z")
Not a bartender, but I’ve never seen it happen except in the movies. Reminds me of a story - supposedly true - that when Sargent Shriver was campaigning as George McGovern’s running mate in 1972, he went into a blue-collar bar, worked the crowd, and then loudly said, “You guys are great! Bartender, a beer for everyone here - and a Courvoisier for me!” ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725/10 "2022-02-01T20:40:19Z")
As someone who has spent, ahem, a fair amount of time in bars, I can honestly say that I’ve never bought a round for the house, and only once was I the recipient of the same. I was sitting in a booth with my two buddies in a beer tavern which probably had about 20 other patrons, when the bartender brought us a pitcher. Seems that somebody (we never did find out who) bought a pitcher for every booth and also bought draws for the few folks sitting at the bar. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725/11 "2022-02-01T20:44:43Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > when the bartender brought us a pitcher Tangent. Maybe it’s a regional thing, or the kind of bars I frequent, but I haven’t see beer served in pitchers since the 1980s. Is it still done? ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725/12 "2022-02-01T20:47:26Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I haven’t see beer served in pitchers since the 1980s. Is it still done? Well, this was back in the late 70s, so there is that. But there is a bar in my hometown that will still serve a pitcher of one of the brews they have on tap. They are quite a bit more expensive than I remember, however. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725/13 "2022-02-01T20:55:53Z")
> How does ‘buying a round’ work? In my local area when someone buys you a drink, or buys a round for the house, the bartender will place an upturned, empty shot glass in front of you by the drink you are probably already drinking and tells you that Jack, or whoever, has bought you a drink. When you are ready you give her the empty shot and she gives you your free drink. And no, you don’t get whatever you want, you get whatever you were already drinking, no upgrades from a beer to an expensive drink. So it is not really very hard for the bartender to keep track of the sales, she rings up your new, free, drink under Jack’s name as the empty shot glasses come in. Sometimes they may try to ring them all up at once but that is at the convenience of the bartender. This is not a Hollywood invention and if you have never seen it happen I am sorry for you. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725/14 "2022-02-01T21:06:10Z")
Yeah, that makes sense. I am not a big drinker, but I like a good rum cocktail, and Trader Sams on the Disneyland hotel grounds has fine ones. It used to be somewhat undiscovered and we could always get a seat, but no more. However, we were in one crowded night, and we mentioned it was busy, but our bartender/waitress said “Yeah, but lots of Aussies, they stiff ya”- what she meant is that those from down under had not got the hang of American tipping. Being without shame, I rather loudly said “Be sure to tip the staff!” and overtipped myself. ’ ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725/15 "2022-02-01T21:08:46Z")
I knew I would find you here 😆 And as for the OP: I have seen rounds for the house about ten times, ranging from 5 customers present to more than I cound count (that was a very shady local). I have also seen somebody buy a bottle of vodka and give the instruction to serve a glass to every customer who enters the bar until the bottle is empty. Took about half an hour, nobody refused. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725/16 "2022-02-01T21:14:56Z")
Correct. They paid their bill. But left me and my cocktail waitress with a handful of change. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725/17 "2022-02-01T21:36:38Z")
Aussies don’t tip. they see it as demeaning for someone to express their superiority in this way. Bar staff in Oz earn a living wage so not dependent on the ‘generosity’ of customers. It’s much the same here in the UK. If you buy a drink in a pub here, I have no doubt that the bar person will happily take a tip, but they certainly won’t expect one. Under some circumstances, it is reasonable to offer to buy them a drink and they may well take the money instead. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725/18 "2022-02-01T21:42:21Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > Aussies don’t tip. they see it as demeaning for someone to express their superiority in this way. - Superiority? Who has access to a large number of razor sharp knives? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725/19 "2022-02-01T22:07:15Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > Aussies don’t tip. they see it as demeaning for someone to express their superiority in this way. Bar staff in Oz earn a living wage so not dependent on the ‘generosity’ of customers. When in Rome… In Oz, that is fine, although most of my Aussie friends say that leaving the coin change is standard. But this is the USA. So, you are just being cheap. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725/20 "2022-02-01T22:27:59Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > But there is a bar in my hometown that will still serve a pitcher of one of the brews they have on tap. I’ve got some friends who all meet to watch football at the local tavern (Midwest, USofA, pointy-ball football). They serve pitchers that are relatively cheap, given how many glasses you can get out of them. And it’s handy to be able to pour a half-pint when you feel like it. Though at the end of the night we’re always surprised when we total up how many pitchers we’ve had… 🍻 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bartenders-how-often-did-someone-buy-a-round-for-the-house/958725.md?page=2)