How do you keep 'regulars' from running your bar?

Question

A handful of people always seem to keep control of the bar, no matter what we do, and we have tried everything...do we just grin and bear it or can we get really assertive, and start all over including staff...we are Mom and Pop and it is difficult enough these days...

Answer 1

controlling as in how? going behind the bar? tell them they aren't allowed. put an employee only sign up. if they continue ask them to leave and don't come back until they can respect you and your business. don't grin and bear anything. this is your livelyhood at stake.

Answer 2

What do you mean by keep control? It's hard to offer advice when you haven't spelled out the problem. are you saying the customers order around the staff? if that's the case you have to help the staff understand the fine line between accomodation and domination.

Answer 3

Do they spend money or just sit there and talk and drive other customers away? If they don't spend money, throw them out. If you have an employee problem, fire them.

Firing an unmanageable employee that the customers like let's the customers know who owns the place.

"Your the customer. I'm the owner. How can I help you?" used frequently sets the tone also.

Answer 4

So as to try to avoid any hard feelings, I would sieze the opportunity to mention the issues to each one separately. Tell them you feel that its' ruining the environment and that other customers are feeling uncomfortable. Put a positive spin on it, make suggestions, avoid being critical or hostile. Tell them you need to them help out to because it's a mutual benefit for both you and them.

Answer 5

you have no clue how to run a bar. Why are you allowing customers to run the bar?