T MINUS 241: Last Call

Last Call: Two words that bartenders sometimes reeeaaallllyyy look forward to. Not the case at the event last night- ‘last call’ came about an hour earlier than we had anticipated. Celebrating the graduates of Florida A&M, Florida State and TCC, the event was held at a private venue in Tallahassee, an art gallery. Drink tickets were available at the registration table for the attendees and there were some VIPs that drank on the house. One of those VIPs was an employee at the venue; we were told that he didn’t need a ticket to drink so we made sure to take care of him. I think he took advantage of that offer from the event organizers- he was ‘buying’ drinks for a couple of his friends and came back about 3 times in hour. There was another guy came up to the bar and said “I work here.” Okay, and?

I confirmed that the “I work here” guy was to receive a complimentary drink and it was A complimentary drink, not a comped out drink tab. Because 71 Proof had been entrusted to ensure a successful bar operation (and because people need to know that Concept is a for-profit establishment), I felt it was my duty to inform the event organizers of the possibility of the employees of the venue usurping the ‘power’ of their positions. I suggested that they get their tickets comped out but bring them to the bar just like everyone else. I guess the employees didn’t like my suggestion. That’s fine but don’t try to take advantage of my bar. Try to get over somewhere else.

Now this could be me being supersensitive, but I’m pretty sure that the earlier than scheduled ‘last call’ could have come about because of their bruised egos. If that’s the case, SFM, please accept my apologies.

So what’s last call all about anyway? Why do the bars all close at 2 am? Last call is a city ordinance that mandates that no alcoholic beverages be sold or served after 2 am, at least that’s the case in Tallahassee. The bars close at 2 am because they aren’t going to generate any further revenue even though they are still generating expenses. Utilities and labor costs, while they may be incremental, are typically the argument used to justify herding all the patrons out the door like sheep when the clock strikes 2.

Because we will be serving breakfast on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, there won’t be a need to herd people out at Concept. I don’t think we’ll have to find a way to engage our patrons after 2 am on any other night because they’ll be needing to get to work in the next day- they are professionals you know.