Gen Z's Drink-by-Drink Payment Habit Annoys Bartenders Nationwide

Across American bars, a new trend among Gen Z—those born in the late 1990s and early 2000s—is stirring up frustration behind the counter. Rather than opening a tab for the night, many young patrons are opting to pay for each drink individually, a habit that bartenders find increasingly irritating.

Derek Brown, a seasoned bartender and founder of a hospitality consulting agency in Washington, D.C., didn’t mince words when describing the annoyance. He explained that closing out a tab after every single drink disrupts the flow of a busy night. 'You’re juggling a dozen tasks as a bartender, and having to stop, process a payment, and return to mixing drinks for just one person’s single order—it’s a real headache,' Brown noted.

While this quirk isn’t unique to Gen Z—every generation has its barroom eccentricities, after all—the constant open-and-close routine is particularly grating during peak hours. Brown described the process: turning to the point-of-sale machine mid-rush, all while maintaining a smile and ensuring other patrons are served. It’s a small act that adds up to big frustration.

On the flip side, some younger patrons argue that paying drink-by-drink helps them keep a tighter grip on their spending and monitor their alcohol intake. Brown acknowledges this as a silver lining, noting that fiscal responsibility matters. 'After a couple of drinks, the third one tends to sneak up faster,' he quipped. Others cite distrust or discomfort with leaving their credit cards with bartenders, though modern systems often swipe and return cards immediately to ease such concerns.

Still, the trend persists, and it’s not just about personal habits. A broader shift shows fewer young adults drinking overall, with a 2023 Gallup poll revealing that only 62% of those under 35 consume alcohol—a 10% drop over the past two decades. Meanwhile, some bars, especially in college towns, enforce no-tab policies or card minimums, further complicating the payment dance. Add in credit card swipe fees, which can eat up 2-4% of each transaction and cost bars billions annually, and it’s clear this issue impacts more than just annoyed bartenders.

Ultimately, whether it’s caution, control, or just a generational quirk, Gen Z’s drink-by-drink approach is reshaping the bar experience—one painstaking payment at a time.