Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

Bars are used to dealing with drunken assh*les. Apparently, it’s the sober ones that throw ‘em for a loop.

You might recall in ‘06 when a non-drinking bar patron was acting like a jackass. Management threw him out, but he ended up suing the bar based on claims that he was a designated driver for his group. That row inspired the law that says taverns cannot toss people who are designated drivers.

Unfortunately, it seems that some folks feel that law gives them free reign to be an idiot.

Rose Hamilton took a taxi to the Dirty Martini (watch the volume) in Clearwater, ordered an alcoholic drink, then wanted to switch to coffee. The bar doesn’t serve coffee. She thought they should.

Bar manager Rico Minasian says she got loud and obnoxious, insisting he serve coffee, and trying to convince bar patrons they were in a terrible place. And that when he charged $4 for a soft drink, she became even more upset and belligerent. He asked her to leave, even threatening to call police, so she left.

Now Rose has filed a complaint under that new law that protects designated drivers. She says she explained to Rico that she might later be expected to get drunk friends home safely, and that he complained that he wouldn’t make any money if she just “drank coffee all night.”

She took a taxicab to the place, and was alone at the time, so it’s hard to say if she was really a DD. We don’t know for sure, but it is certainly possible that her friends were meeting there, and would count on her to do the driving.

To all bar owners and managers (and servers): You have always had stingy people that just want to take up space while they spend no money. You can no longer throw them out for that. You certainly don’t have to offer coffee, but non-alcoholic drinks SHOULD be available at a decent price. It may be aggravating, but designated drivers are a very important part of the equation - they may be the only reason that group is at YOUR PLACE tonight. Plus, they are helping to keep your best customers alive.

To you stingy people: If you want to mingle with others for free, go to a park. Businesses have expenses, and have set their prices on those costs. Understand that when your group goes to a bar, you should expect to pay for a soft drink. If they charge more than you are willing or able to pay, it is your job to convince your group to take your business elsewhere. Otherwise, shut up and pay your tab.

To you designated drivers: You are doing a great service by protecting your friends from the evils of driving drunk. And you deserve major props. But it takes more than just agreeing not to drink alcohol. And it doesn’t give you immunity to be a complete assh*le. You should be proud of your DD designation, not resigned to it. If you cannot conduct yourself in a responsible manner even when sober, you are not qualified for the job.

To all jerks, whether drunk or sober or simply misunderstood: Quit being such a jerk. Any establishment should not be forced to put up with your obnoxious behavior. It doesn’t do anyone any good to bitch about prices or availability of specific drinks or bar policy. You too can choose to spend your money at another place. Money talks.

To the drinkers: How about that?!! For once, you are the innocent bystander!!! But remember, if you are out and drinking, always use a designated driver, have your driver on call, or arrange for a taxicab. And party on!

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