A news flash for bar owners:

[BabyRider]

Geeze, I've got a lot to yak about today!

This is something that I have been seeing more and more frequently, and it needs to STOP.

I have been a bartender for over 15 years, up until my recent crash. It was a tough, but well-paying job. My favorite customers? Bikers, of course. But probably for reasons you don't think. These guys are FUN, first of all, and when you can have that much fun at work, it matters. Respectful? With very few exceptions. The problem? Ignorant bar owners and managers who think these people are bad for their business and refuse service to them. I have only ever worked here in Michigan, but EVERY bar I worked in had this prejudice. My last one holds a good story:

My husband, a professional man who worked for one of the Big 3, came into the bar on his way to work, dressed in his professional manner, and ordered a Pepsi and a hamburger, and took out his book to read.

My boss walked out and asked him to come talk to her, (the senile, 83-year old bag) and they moved to a table. About 45 seconds later Bullet stormed out, ripping down the sign that read, "No colors allowed." When I got home that night he told me the story of how she told him she didn't want "his kind" in HER bar, and she didn't need his money.

I was insensed. I went to work the next day and asked her to please clarify for me what Bullet's "kind" was, and what was wrong with the color of his money. She gave me a load of crap that was deeper than I could tolerate, especially when we had been customers for, literally, YEARS. I quit the next day.

I spent a lot of time thinking about this, and I have the PROFESSIONAL opinion that bikers are some of the biggest spending customers any bar could ever hope to have. And tipping? Outrageous amounts. I would commonly have tabs that I would get 40 and 50% tips on. And my other customers had huge amounts of respect for all the bikers that came to see me and they enjoyed their company as well.

So...if you do or might own or manage a bar, do all of us a favor and try to get to KNOW a few of these people before you propegate the prejudice. You just might find out that they are worthy PEOPLE as well as customers. Between that and how entirely safe I always felt when I had this company while I worked a bar ALONE that sat 120 people. well....GET A CLUE!!!! And make yourself and your bartenders some real money, and don't annoy the local club.

[RedGlitter]

Good deal, BabyRider.
I would imagine this lady's age had a bit to do with it, but that doesn't explain far younger bartenders/owners who have the same attitude. I think people tend to judge on the "rough" image they often see. I'm not well versed in biker culture at all but I do have enough sense to know that the clothes serve a purpose. There are reasons bikers wear a lot of denim and leather, aside from they like the look; roadrash would be one of them.

The other stuff nonbikers complain about like languuage and loudness is unfair because you can get that from all kinds of people, it's not peculiar to bikers.

I see why you and Bullet were incensed. I agree with you.

I had previously mentioned Biker Week out here. We have the Laughlin River Run. Have you ever been in that one, BR? Anyway, the bikers collect toys for kids and it's always a blast to see some big, burly, rough looking biker dude going down Hwy 95 with a big teddy bear strapped to the front of his bike.

I don't know firsthand how they tip out here, but I know they help out our local economy quite a bit. As for fights and stuff, they're usually the ones to end one, not to start one. In my experience anyway.

BR, have you thought about starting a thread for us nonbiker people to ask questions? Is there one and I don't know about it? I think it would be cool to learn more about biker culture.

[K.Snyder]

I live down the street from a biker bar,..ironically there is another bar on the same street about 1/8th of a mile down the road(not very far considering there isn't another bar for miles).

Actually this post has made me curious as to why there are two bars so close together, and both have been in business for years. There are definitely different crowds that go into each.

Ive wanted to get a bike before, but after observing how dangerous they are I am really hesitant to get one. That, and I cannot afford one right now, but none the less I have been pondering the idea for the future...

If someone doesn't want to serve me simply because I ride a loud bike that's their problem, I'll take my business elsewhere. I'm one of the nicest persons anyone could ever meet, but if people want to judge me for my persona it's their loss not mine...

[K.Snyder]

Originally Posted by K.Snyder

Ive wanted to get a bike before, but after observing how dangerous they are I am really hesitant to get one.

I should say, how oblivious others can be to that of people who ride bikes considering that I can control my own destiny as far as responsibility is concerned.

[Rain]

In my early years I was a bartender too. We had a very diverse crowd. Oakland Raiders (back in the good old days of the late 70's) and old hippies, african americans, bikers, music ppl, office workers, jail birds... you name it. It was the funnest bar I ever worked at or played in. Good for you for taking that stand.

Originally Posted by K.Snyder

I live down the street from a biker bar,..ironically there is another bar on the same street about 1/8th of a mile down the road(not very far considering there isn't another bar for miles).

Actually this post has made me curious as to why there are two bars so close together, and both have been in business for years. There are definitely different crowds that go into each.

Ive wanted to get a bike before, but after observing how dangerous they are I am really hesitant to get one. That, and I cannot afford one right now, but none the less I have been pondering the idea for the future...

If someone doesn't want to serve me simply because I ride a loud bike that's their problem, I'll take my business elsewhere. I'm one of the nicest persons anyone could ever meet, but if people want to judge me for my persona it's their loss not mine...

That's the weird thing about it. People judge you by persona. I can gointo a shop after work in one of my suits, good pair of shoes/boots and get treated completely differently from when I go in on the weekend in goth boots, jeans, biker gear. Amazing!!! I don't act any different, I'm always polite.

K, you're one of the most nice, polite onliners I've ever met..I can't imagine anyone being snotty to you! Though it happens to me, so guess it happens to everyone.

[BabyRider]

Originally Posted by RedGlitter

Good deal, BabyRider.
I would imagine this lady's age had a bit to do with it, but that doesn't explain far younger bartenders/owners who have the same attitude. I think people tend to judge on the "rough" image they often see. I'm not well versed in biker culture at all but I do have enough sense to know that the clothes serve a purpose. There are reasons bikers wear a lot of denim and leather, aside from they like the look; roadrash would be one of them.

The other stuff nonbikers complain about like languuage and loudness is unfair because you can get that from all kinds of people, it's not peculiar to bikers.

I see why you and Bullet were incensed. I agree with you.

I had previously mentioned Biker Week out here. We have the Laughlin River Run. Have you ever been in that one, BR? Anyway, the bikers collect toys for kids and it's always a blast to see some big, burly, rough looking biker dude going down Hwy 95 with a big teddy bear strapped to the front of his bike.

I don't know firsthand how they tip out here, but I know they help out our local economy quite a bit. As for fights and stuff, they're usually the ones to end one, not to start one. In my experience anyway.

BR, have you thought about starting a thread for us nonbiker people to ask questions? Is there one and I don't know about it? I think it would be cool to learn more about biker culture.

I have not been on that ride, but I know where to check for some good stories about it!

I would be very happy to try and answer any questions anyone has that I am able and allowed to answer. I think I tried doing something like this some months back, but maybe it didn't take of, I don't recall.
I will give some thought about a thread!

[BabyRider]

Originally Posted by K.Snyder

I live down the street from a biker bar,..ironically there is another bar on the same street about 1/8th of a mile down the road(not very far considering there isn't another bar for miles).

Actually this post has made me curious as to why there are two bars so close together, and both have been in business for years. There are definitely different crowds that go into each.

Ive wanted to get a bike before, but after observing how dangerous they are I am really hesitant to get one. That, and I cannot afford one right now, but none the less I have been pondering the idea for the future...

If someone doesn't want to serve me simply because I ride a loud bike that's their problem, I'll take my business elsewhere. I'm one of the nicest persons anyone could ever meet, but if people want to judge me for my persona it's their loss not mine...

K, there are TONS of used bikes, and heck even new ones that are very reasonable. My Bullet's Honda was bought in the box and it cost less than 6,000 bucks. And as for dangerous, ddriving in a car or walking down the street is dangerous. There is a lot to learn about riding, and riding well, and you ALWAYS have to look out for the situationally stupid cagers, but still....LIFE is dangerous. Like anything else, be smart and ride defensively. I could hook you up with a place that always has bikes for sale if you do decide to go that way. Also, you don't want a starter bike to be brand-new anyway. I hope you check it out!

[BabyRider]

Originally Posted by Pinky

That's the weird thing about it. People judge you by persona. I can gointo a shop after work in one of my suits, good pair of shoes/boots and get treated completely differently from when I go in on the weekend in goth boots, jeans, biker gear. Amazing!!! I don't act any different, I'm always polite.

K, you're one of the most nice, polite onliners I've ever met..I can't imagine anyone being snotty to you! Though it happens to me, so guess it happens to everyone.

You just reminded me of another story about a bar owner I met some time back....Pinkster, you'll like this story. Gimme a minute....

[BabyRider]

Here ya go, Pinkster....how dumb was THIS guy??

This past summer, I went to a bar that again, Bullet and I had been in several times and I had friends that worked there. I was looking for work. I met with the owner, Paul, who I'd also known and hung out with many times. I was wearing my leather and he looks at it like he was looking at a steaming pile of cow dung and says, "What's THAT?" I looked at him sideways and asked, "What's WHAT?" He flicked the fringe on my coat <really a bad idea> and says, "This...you don't ride a....<gasp> MOTORCYCLE, do you?" I said that I did ride and what did that have to do with our current conversation? He explained how if he sees a bike in his lot, whoever is working gets FIRED. I laughed because I thought he was full of garbage. He looked at me in a way that showed he was deadly serious. I said, "So...no bikes?" At which point I pulled 700 bucks out of my pocket and said, "I guess I won't be wasting any of THIS here then....SEE YA!" Never set foot in that place again either.