They say Gen Z is drinking and going out less than previous generations. The truth is, they're flooding bars and nightclubs in droves. And just like their predecessors, Gen Zers have created their own culture and unique quirks that drive bartenders absolutely mad. They’re not yelling, arguing, or acting tough. They’re just not interacting at all.

These are the most common Gen Z bar habits that bartenders say make service slower, more awkward, and way more frustrating than it needs to be.

📱 Holding their phone out to use tap-to-pay but forgetting about using words or eye contact

📱 Trying to sign for the tab on the handheld device while the bartender is still holding said handheld device—you can hold it yourself like the new adult that you are

📱 On that note, keeping tabs open no longer exists, so the previous two interactions get to happen 10 times per night with every customer

📱 Vaping in line

📱 Vaping in the bathroom

📱 Vaping while they order

📱 Vaping under the bar

📱 Vaping across the bar

📱 Vaping under the giant fucking NO VAPING INSIDE sign

📱 Instead of ordering a drink, turning their phone to the bartender and asking, "Can you make that?"

📱 Showing the bartender a list of drinks on their notes app for their table of friends that refuse to walk up to the bar and order their own drinks

📱 Trying to make a TikTok mid-order

📱 Ordering a Hugo Spritz

📱 Ordering the wifi password before ordering a drink

📱 Treating the bar like their personal dinner table with outside food

📱 Assuming every bartender is there specifically to charge their phone and their vape for them

📱 Treating the service well as a catch-all for their personal belongings

Think we missed one? Every bartender has their own version of Gen Z chaos behind the bar. Drop the worst ones you’ve seen in the comments section below.

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