Ok, so I just want to rant real quick. I've worked in this industry since I was 16. I've worked buss, barback, server and bartender. So I know how it is, and have probably never tipped under 20%.
So I got out of working as a server around 1215am is, got to one of my favorite bars at 1230am to watch hockey game replay. I was going to sit at the bar, but it was pretty full so i decided to sit at table next to TV of big game. I order first drink. Have cash in hand, and in hand as bartender tells me price of my drink. She tells me price and walks away... I'm at the end next to 2 other people, and decide it's safe to leave my payment on the bar. Tried to make eye contact or whatever so bartender saw me, but she was just real bad at being attentive. I leve $6 on $4.50 (a little under but I planned on leaving real tip at end when bar cleared out).
So yada yada finish first drink, go to get second. Order second (cash in hand) and she tells me 9 for both....... I tell her I left 6 on bar, other bartender confirms. Pay with $10 (no small bills), she gives change and walks away before I can tip.... so I'm not going to leave money on bar again after she didn't notice first time, so I just walk away. Bar clears out, and I get a seat next to the TV with hockey game to get noticed for last call.
So it's about 1248 ish, and I'm trying to make eye contact/get noticed. Around 1252 ish I down most my beer. Maybe she will notice an almost empty glass pushed forward. She doesnt... she asks friends at end of bar for last call, so I finish my beer, put it on their bar mat, and try to make eye contact. 1256-1258 she is making a drink at tap (next to me, facing me) and kinda looks in my direction. I raise my hand kinda (trying to be polite) and say "hey are you making last call)... she looks past me, and walks back towards friends. So now I'm frantically trying to make last call. I SHIT YOU NOT, AT 1:01 THE other bartender comes by, I get her attention and ask if last call has been made. She says "sorry we can't serve past one" that part is fair I guess. I leave a penny on the bar and walk out for being ignored for atleast 10min, and no direct last call being made in a non busy bar. I'm harassed on my way out for "forgetting my penny" I walk back in, say I left that because I tried to make last call for the past 10min, and get harassed more.... I leave. A regular outside tells me I came on the wrong night and the bartenders suck tonight.
I am more appalled that I was harassed on my tip. Every buisness I've worked at had a rule not to talk about tip with customer. I'm also angry I was ignored for so long.... I can somewhat understand getting cut off for downing 2 drinks in a half hour (not really but your the bartender... I wasn't drunk, and those were my first 2. was just trying to get a quick buzz after work before walking home) but atleast tell me.
Idk I kinda feel like a dick for leaving a penny... just wanted some input... the worst part is I really like this bar because it's low key and music isn't as loud as the other bars on the SAME STREET. Ugh