🍺 Is Paying in Advance the New Norm for Pubs? 🍺

[oceangaia]

I haven't seen any changes in the process in my area.



At restaurants, where you are seated and served, the check comes at the end upon request or when your table has been cleared. One check for the table is most common although diners might request separate checks.



At pubs, it has always been pay for the drink upon receipt or give them a card to start a tab. Even though you may also be ordering food, you are not usually taken to a specific table upon arrival. It is not uncommon for people to move around or stand. Almost everyone is on their own separate check.


In the past they would hold the card. It seems more common now to take the card, run it for pre-authorization, then return the card to you. Often there will be a sign that any walked tabs will be automatically closed overnight and an xx% tip added. They say this like it's a warning but I view it as a convenience. If it's a place I know and trust I'll often just leave and let them auto-close it. So far haven't had any unexpectedly inflated tabs.

[Returning2USA]

Originally Posted by Exitus Acta Probat

I'm not big on pubs, but recently I visited one in Santa Monica where that, for the first time, I was asked to either give the server my credit card in advance of my order or "pay as I went" such that every time I was brought a drink I'd get a check. I didn't make a fuss since a policy of mine is to not get confrontational with people who are tasked with handling my food or drink, but nevertheless I was somewhat offended -- I was dressed gentleman's casual and my hair was clean cut, so what the dilly?!

Is this normal now? I asked a few people I know about this and they'd never had this happen to them but they don't go to pubs often either.

I'm in LA now.

In Santa Monica, Hollywood, it's always pay cash as you go or leave a CC with them - unless you're a regular.

[Returning2USA]

Originally Posted by Lodestar 77

You can thank the losers who run out without paying their tabs for this. As with anything that affects the masses in life, the good pay for the deeds of the bad. Kinda like the group of kids who are being good but the one rebel does something wrong, if they don't fess up they all get punished.

If someone does a runner the staff have to pay for it.

I'm not offended at all.

In my hometown in WA state taverns / bars often do this.

Again, unless you're a regular.