BEWARE THE BARTENDER At The Statesman bar in downtown Montgomery, Alabama, Saturday June 15, around 10:40pm, I ordered a martini from the bartender. The woman made my drink, then proceeded to taste test it by dipping a straw into it. Then, she picks up the martini, walks it a few steps down the bar, and proceeds to allow a man sitting on the customer side of the bar to also dip a straw into the glass and taste the martini also. The bartender turned away and proceeded to do other things behind the bar while the drink was being "tasted". The female bartender picks the martini back up and finishes walking it around the bar to my table. When I brought the martini up to the bar and asked that it be remade because I saw her allow the man to dip a straw into it, she proceeded to argue that she was tasting it and he is also an off duty bartender at another place and she let him taste it also. I told her that it makes me uncomfortable because I do not know that man or what he may have done to the martini. She huffed and rolled her eyes and said "All bartenders taste drinks." This is a highly dangerous practice. I could see if she poured the excess from the shaker into a different container such as a shot glass for herself or anyone to try, but not the very same drink you're expecting me to pay for. There was no reason for any other customer to taste another customers drink without permission. This is very dangerous and too common. I'm writing this to prevent dangerous things such as this because this is another opening for potential drugging. Once the drink was returned to the bartender at the bar, she proceeded to walk up and down the bar and tell every customer of the incident citing my actions as overreacting to her letting a stranger taste my drink before serving it to me. Her behavior is highly unprofessional and quite hazardous. This is not a place to go to for a good or safe time. read more
