Bristol, England — the owner of a bar named Bristol Spirit is condemning people who choose to order free tap water instead of drinking beer or juice, saying that they are ruining her business. The co-founder of the bar shares her sentiment.
The co-founder of Bristol Spirit, Sam Espensen, has said that although the bar serves food, customers should all order drinks with their meal.
She tweeted that at least 14 people only drank water at the bar last week, and wrote: “If you come to Bristol Spirit and only drink free tap water - we will not make enough money from your table to break even, let alone turn a profit.
The bar owner told Bristol Live: "This is happening across the industry. This is partly down to people wanting to drink healthier or non alcoholic drinks (which is great), but as we offer around 50 different options for those not wanting to drink alcohol it certainly can't account for all of them.
"So I wanted to highlight to those people that them drinking tap water means we are unlikely to meet the average spend from their visit required to break even or turn a profit."
She added that offering tap water costs the business money, explaining: "Lastly we are also paying for the dishwasher, the glass, the tea towels to dry it, the bartender, the front of house person, and everything else associated with that glass of water."
Bar patrons, however, disagree with Bristol Spirit’s sentiment, and says that the bar is being unfair.
What are your thoughts? Should this certain bar start charging those who would order a glass of water?
(Image Credit: Abbie Trayler-Smith)
Newest 5 Comments
Soft drinks, at least, tend to be much cheaper in the US (can't speak for Canada) and include free refills. I never get sodas in Europe because they're practically the same price as a beer.In Italy most restaurants charged for water.
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It's common in France to ask for a free jug of water with your meal. Of course the restaurant owners would prefer to sell a high margin bottle of wine, but they won't cry over the internet for the few customers who don't spend enough on beverages.
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It's also a difference btw the UK/Europe and North America. It is common to drink water with meals in North America whereas a nice alcoholic bevy is a treat here. In Europe, having a drink with a meal out is expected and I would guess that the restaurant income structure is based on people having a drink with their meal. I agree with this restaurant owner, people should buy a drink with their meal. In my experience, drinks with meals in the UK are also cheaper than drinks in Canada and the US so it's not an equal comparison.
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I tend to get water because they don't have caffeine free diet soft drinks. Would it kill bars to have diet ginger ale? Or diet caffeine free coke/pepsi?
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If they earn money from the other things those customers do, like order food, then there isn't an issue. The free water is basically a loss leader. But if people are coming in to socialize and don't pay for anything (including the water), then they fundamentally aren't customers and should be shown out.
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