Experts Offer Advice for Tough Times

Bartender Darryl Robinson

His advice:
 

• “I tell my customers, ‘If you want more bang―or alcohol―for your buck, order a martini.’  ”
• “If you like to go out, cut back on midweek excursions and try to limit your socializing in restaurants and bars to either Friday or Saturday night, when most people are free.”
• “Grab a bite to eat at home before you head out the door for the evening. You’d be surprised at how fast your tab can go up when you start ordering food. If you have something in your stomach when you go out, you’ll drink less, spend less, and handle your liquor better.”
• “Be realistic about what you can do right now. Last December I had a customer whose friends wouldn’t let her off the hook when she said she couldn’t afford to exchange gifts. I told her to buy each person a few lottery tickets. She agreed, I bought her a drink, and she left me a bigger tip than she probably spent on the tickets for her friends.”