This week I heard a familiar sad story. A Bar/Restaurant owner stealing from staff. Sadly, this has been happening for as long as I can remember.
Years ago there was a popular Gay bar in Tampa. It was a straight topless bar before. The club owners, who in their own minds thought they were Mafi, decided to try a Gay bar. Or F#got bar as they would say. The club was a hit. Two of the club promoters (both Gay) were friends of ours. After a couple of years they told me that the club was going to try a Friday Happy Hour and would I come as a favor and bartend. The shift was 5 to 8. My 1st day should have been a clue. I walked into a huge mess. Even the fruit was still sitting out on the bar top from 4 days before. At the end of the shift I took my cash drawer to the owners office. You opened the door and there was a huge fancy desk with the owners sitting behind it, with his back to the wall. On the desk top was a loaded gun facing the door I just walked in. He would count the money then give me my credit card tips. On week #4 he told me that I was allowing the F#gots to leave with too much money in their pockets. Then went on to tell me I should start over charging – add extra drink to tabs. WTF. The next week #5 I had a OK shift and ring. No padding!!! I take the cash drawer to the office. The desk was covered with take out food next to the gun. The owner and his “whore of the week” were both pigging out on the BBQ Ribs and had food all over their faces. He looked at the register print out. Then counted the drawer very fast. Looked up and said you are $40 short!!! I said that’s not right let’s recount the drawer. He said NO & told me to F off. Then said that I did not tip out the barback. I told him I didn’t have a barback and every week started by cleaning the bar and taking the trash out myself. Then he took $80 out of my credit card tips and handed me the remainder of $3.00. I said Thank You, walked out and never came back.