Notice This Bartender Mistake? Walk Out Now

You know that feeling when you walk into a bar, excited for a killer cocktail, only to get hit with… bad vibes? Sometimes it’s subtle—the music’s off, the chairs are sticky—but other times, it’s right there in the bartender’s hands. Yep, the way they hold your glass can tell you everything you need to know about a bar’s hygiene game. If they’re gripping your drink by the rim instead of the base or stem, it’s a sign your cocktail might be coming with an unwanted side of germs.

Glassware: The Window Into Bartender Standards

The rim tip isn’t the only way to gauge whether a bar knows its hygiene 101. Take a peek at the glasses themselves. Are there chips, cracks, detergent residue, lipstick smudges, or leftover pulp floating around? That’s a hard “nope” in the cleanliness department. Glasses should sparkle—polished with a clean cloth, never a rag that’s been doing double duty wiping down sticky counters. And if you spot a bartender sneaking ice cubes by hand instead of using tongs or a scoop… well, that’s another reason to rethink your drink order.

Red Flags Beyond the Glass

A dirty or careless bartender is one thing, but a messy bar environment is another. Keep your eyes open: fruit flies hovering near the garnish station, garbage left out, sticky countertops, or even fruit still wearing its stickers are all subtle cues that hygiene isn’t top of mind. These might seem minor, but they’re clues that the bar’s overall care for its craft—and its patrons—might be lacking.

And don’t forget about the staff vibes. Bartenders bickering behind the bar, ignoring guests, or outright rude behavior? That apathy often trickles down to how your drinks are made.

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A drink should delight your senses, not leave you questioning what’s on your bartender’s hands. So next time you sip, take a quick peek at how your glass is being handled and the state of the bar around you. If it raises even a tiny red flag, don’t tough it out—your palate (and your stomach) deserves better.