Is it okay for a waiter (and restaurant manager) to be drunk?

Published: June 1, 2011

I realize I’m pushing my luck here putting this in the “travel” category, though I’d be curious to hear if this normal. I stayed at the Andaz West Hollywood this past weekend and met a couple of friends for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in the area (which shall remain nameless till my trip report), not just for the great food, but even more so for the ambiance.

We only decided to eat here day of, which happened to be the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. We could only get a reservation for 11PM. Yeah, we’re total wankers for having dinner at 11PM, but I was so jetlagged that I could’ve had breakfast, lunch, or dinner at any hour of the day and not known the difference.

Anyway, the food was excellent as always, though the service was a bit off. As the waiter brought out drinks he admitted he was a little drunk (at first I thought he was kidding, though obviously not).

Seated immediately next to us was a couple, and after about 15 minutes a guy sat down literally right next to one of my dining companion on the booth (as it was a long booth with separate tables), visibly drunk with another drink in hand. He was seated maybe six inches from him with his back turned to my friend, talking obnoxiously loudly to the couple.

After sitting there talking for about 30 minutes he left with the couple and apparently took quite a bit off the bill based on his communication with the waiter. I was surprised to hear he worked there, though we couldn’t help but ask our waiter who he was. As it turns out he was the general manager.

So there ya have it, a drunk GM and a drunk waiter. Then again, at 11PM in West Hollywood, I guess that’s kind of to be expected… maybe?

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Zoe Guest

September 27, 2011, 11:15 am

I wait tables at a local chain restaurant in Virginia, and because it's a chain we have to look and act professional--but because it's so small (about 4 locations total) we get away with a LOT. The managers--and this goes for at least half the managers at any given restaurant--imbibe regularly, smoke pot, etc. So if we come in high or a little tipsy but can still punch in on time and do our job well, that's all they care about. It's kind of a "don't ask, don't tell" policy. If you tell them you're drunk, they send you home. If you don't tell them and aren't losing them money by messing up tables' orders or slurring at customers, they don't care. This isn't by an means true for every restaurant. Just...a LOT of them. I go into work tipsy quite often, and even drink in the back with a manager now and then if the night's slow. Other waiters get high together with the cooks and managers, depending on the night. Generally you can guarantee every employee in the place is sober Friday and Saturday nights, because you have to be. It's just impossible to work under that kind of stress without a clear head. The smokers probably engage in some pre- or mid-shift blunts, but personally I think that makes a lot of them work BETTER. Bottom line: if your server does a good job and doesn't reek of substances, even if you suspect they are a little under the influence of something, who cares? You have your food, your drinks--tip the kid a solid 20% (no, %15 is NOT excellent anymore--it says 'You were adequate' or 'I'm a cheap ass') and enjoy your night all the same.

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TravelerMSY Guest

June 3, 2011, 8:37 pm

Did he make any mistakes? If not, it's the restaurant's business, not yours. Now if he was your driver, that might be different.

toomanybooks Guest

June 3, 2011, 9:35 am

One reason why I work for myself; it's unlikely I will fire me if I have a few sometime.

Cedarglen Member

June 3, 2011, 12:32 am

No, it is NOT OK. I hope it was reflected in his tip - maybe even a short note about why!

scientist Guest

June 2, 2011, 9:39 am

I'd be offended if the server and/or the manager were drunk at Denny's, much less at a fancy place. It's very unprofessional (although I realize in the U.S. these jobs are not "professions").

Is it okay for a waiter (and restaurant manager) to be drunk?

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