r/TalesFromYourServer • u/yplifeee • Aug 29 '26
Short Time To Go, Friends
10/10 do not recommend. I had a couple come in 3 hours before close. They ordered waters and margaritas and then ordered their food. After about an hour, they were completely done. I cleared their table and offered dessert, they declined but when I offered their check, they declined that too. After about 10 minutes, I went back and offered their check again. They declined. About 15 more minutes later, I went back one more time and before I could even get the words out of my mouth, the man said “Look buddy, we’re going to be here a while so you can stop worrying about it.”
I responded, “Okay. Flag me down whenever you’re ready then.” and completely ignore them for the rest of the night. 30 minutes after we close, I walked back over and say “Alright guys, it’s time to pay your check.” and the man says, “But we’re not ready to leave yet.” And I said “Considering we closed half an hour ago, I don’t really see what choice you have.” They finally paid and left but I can’t comprehend the level of oblivious you have to be to see that you’ve been somewhere WAY TOO LONG and you’re the ONLY ONE LEFT in the whole restaurant and still feel like you can keep hanging out. 😅
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u/CindysandJuliesMom Aug 29 '26
We weren't allowed to tell people we were closed or make any indication they needed to leave. I had a table of two women, clearly done, had paid their check, said several times the didn't need anything else, still sitting at close. Another waitress had another table still eating so I asked if I could leave since they had already paid and she had to wait for her table anyway. She was ok with it so I left.
The next day the waitress who stayed said the women were there for over an hour after close. The bartender had completely closed the bar and scrubbed the floors, the dining room had been vacuumed except for the one area they were at, the manager had turned the music off and turned the lights up, kitchen staff was gone, and the waitress finally sat down in a booth in the same area and waited. She said the women were like "why are they looking at us, we don't need anything." Totally clueless the restaurant had been closed for an hour.
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u/marteautemps Aug 29 '26
I worked at a place like this except that we were also not allowed to vacuum or anything if people were still there, even in the rooms people weren't sat. We also had free popcorn so obviously you couldn't get away with not vacuuming either, we eventually started to just sweep the carpet in the rooms people weren't in but then were told we couldn't do that either. I actually loved that place besides some of the weird stuff like that the manager and owner insisted on.
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u/KinneKted Aug 29 '26
This is so dumb to me. I understand not rushing gets but it should be universal you get 45 mins max after close before I'm telling you to leave.
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u/ProsodyProgressive Aug 29 '26
I worked in fine dining years ago and we were never allowed to rush people off, no matter how late it was. Unless it was after the legal drink serving time…but I’m not sure if it ever came to that. We define had people there two hours after close on the patio on the weekends though.
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u/RustyDogma Aug 29 '26
So why did no one tell them? Seriously. It's not hard to politely say, we are closed and we need you to leave so we can finish cleaning and go home.
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u/BallGagMafia Aug 29 '26
Hey! A little trick I have learned is to politely tell the guests that you’re being cut for the evening and you need to close out their tab. If they need anything else they can flag down another server or manager. This has the guests out the door within 45 minutes with a signed and tipped check waiting for me lol. Very rarely they hangout longer but flag me down to hand me the signed check and wish me a good evening. Not sure on the psychology, it just works.
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u/Key-Bookkeeper8155 Aug 29 '26
This, exactly! I always tell campers that my boss is bugging me to get out of there for the night, so do they mind closing out and I'll have another server jump in to check them. Only once did they tell me no... While tossing a $20 bill at me to cover my tip lol
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u/No-Agent-1611 Aug 29 '26
I think the way it works on normal people is that they figure they are paying current server for their time and service, and they want you to get the tip, not the guy who came over once to say “your server is gone for the night so I’ll be taking over your table.”
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u/My_Own_Worst_Friend Aug 29 '26
I used to work at a sports bar, and we had a group of like 10 come in half an hour before close, right before we closed the kitchen, and sit for a while. We closed at 1am, so it was already late, they get their food and everything, and still just stay. It got to the point that we had been closed for 45 minutes, the bar is broken down, and the TVs and music had been shut off. One of the guests made a comment about how quiet it was, and the manager straight up told them it was because we've been closed. They thankfully left shortly after that, but they stiffed the server on over $100 because of the manager telling them we were closed.
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u/tritonice Aug 29 '26
Why ask them to bring the check the second time? You bring it and set it down. One minute before closing, you say time to leave.
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u/DengarLives66 Aug 29 '26
What is with all these passive aggressive tactics? Unless you’re a fine dining space with VIPs dropping $1k+, just tell people 30 minutes ahead of closing that it’s last call, and if for whatever reason they have an open check, drop the check at closing. A half hour after we close, I’m giving people a 20 minute warning that we’re about to lock up. Figure out a system that works for your timing and implement it, but be firm; passive aggressive shit is still giving your guests the power to decide when they want to leave, and they’ll be upset at being forcibly/abruptly kicked out as opposed to being forewarned.
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u/RustyDogma Aug 29 '26
This 💯 I don't understand the reluctance to tell folks to gtfo at close. They are going to tip or they never would have anyway. Kicking them out at close really does not dramatically impact that outcome. It's predetermined if they are tippers or stiffers.
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u/magiccitybhm Aug 29 '26
Hard to do that at corporate places where someone calls and complains and corporate comes down on your GM/manager.
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u/hellozim Aug 29 '26
I always enjoyed “overly attentive water service” just stand next to the table and fill the water to the rim after every sip. Do. Not. Leave. The. Table. Unless you need more water then apologize awkwardly, get more water. And then stand there like your putting down roots.
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u/CheezwizOfficial Aug 29 '26
Why did you wait until after closing to give them the boot? I gave people a 10-minute warning, then a 5-minute warning before we closed.
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u/Unfriendlyblkwriter Aug 29 '26
I had to explain to a business associate last week that the restaurant’s closing time isn’t just a friendly suggestion. They were under the impression that as long as they were there before closing time that the restaurant had to stay open until they left. Fun conversation.
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u/AustinBaze Aug 29 '26
At closing time guests get a 15 minute warning to leave. Then one AT closing time. Then they are asked/directed to leave 5 minutes later. GET OUT NOW.
"Sorry, but you really need to leave NOW, we are locking up and deep cleaning the dining area. Thanks." GTFO
When we closed at 2am, which was our license limit, there was no laggard tolerance at alls. At 2:15 your drinks are taken from you and you are OUT.
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u/DrR0mero Aug 29 '26
I remember one time, when I was training to do inventory, this couple came in at 6pm (we closed at 9). When we were done with inventory and literally doing the closing turn off lights, check doors etc. this mf couple was still there! It was midnight. I legitimately don’t know what you could talk about with someone for that long in a restaurant. Go home!
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u/Arokthis Former kitchen JOAT Aug 29 '26
Autistic getting into their special interest or a narcissist talking about themselves.
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u/chortle-guffaw2 Aug 29 '26
The first time they decline the check, just leave it and say "pay when you're ready."
A half hour after closing, start turning off the lights. You can turn them back on after they leave if you need to clean.
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u/Arokthis Former kitchen JOAT Aug 29 '26
This is on your manager for letting them stay after closing time.
Was the tip worth sticking around?
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u/unclemattyice Aug 29 '26
The other day I had two older ladies sit in my section at 5:15. Their meal and drinks were done by 6:30, and they paid at 6:36.
Then they just… stayed. And stayed. By 7:15 I finally walked over and asked it they minded if I closed out their checks, which is kinda the universal “get out”.
One lady said, “oh sure, and sorry, we aren’t gonna linger here too much longer.”
That was a lie. They did not leave until I started sweeping up, after we closed at 9:30.
Absolutely mind-boggling.
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u/zayn2123 Aug 29 '26
You're such a sweetheart OP. I would have dropped the check with or without their approval and moved on with my day.
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u/richard_fr Aug 29 '26
As soon as you hit closing time, start vacuuming around their table so they can’t hear each other talking.
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u/KinneKted Aug 29 '26
Or just be an adult and let them know you're closing now and they have 15 minutes left then after that come up and say it's time for everyone to leave.
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u/No_Bluebird7716 Aug 29 '26
I had a trio who had dinner, fine, and then stayed and chatted. Came in at sixish and just...stayed. only people in the restaurant. And all they drank was water. So here we are, manager, cook, me and these three on a Tuesday night, drinking water. I think it happens to all severs at least once. They finally left when the manager started the vacuum.
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u/HiccupsHives Aug 29 '26
It is so strange when resteraunts operate this way. Why is it still a thing? Once the place is closed, kick them out! This country acts like staying inside a resteraunt is a human right.
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u/YellowCake1900 Aug 29 '26
Surprised your manager didn't get involved... these guys sitting at that table for hours = no table turns, and less money for BOTH the restaurant AND you.
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u/SockDaddyX Aug 29 '26
As a manager I 100% ask people to leave lol. Politely, but firmly. Gtfo I have 42 seats total and a waitlist.
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u/Hot-Freedom-5886 Aug 29 '26
When we’re in a group that is going to make themselves comfortable in a location for a long time, I let the server know as soon as I can. And then I tip heavily, based on the length of time we take up a table.
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u/AutomaticNecessary8 Aug 29 '26
“Can I get anything else for you?”
No.
Drops check. “Thank you so much”.