Survey: Some See Bartenders As Friends

PORTLAND, Ore. — More than a third of Americans consider their local bartender a friend, according to a recent survey by Rehabs.com.

While some bartenders may genuinely enjoy getting to know the people they serve, especially those who are frequent customers, there are some behaviors bartenders told Rehabs.com patrons should avoid, including asking your bartender for a free drink, whistling to get their attention, asking them to “surprise you” when ordering a new drink, asking them to “make it strong” when ordering an alcoholic drink, flashing a tip to get their attention, excessive conversation, flirting with the bartender, ordering multiple drinks at a time, ordering for a large party of people and not using a coaster or napkin on the counter or table.

It’s also lucky for some patrons that their bartender has their back. Fifty-seven percent of bartenders said they’ve had to stop customers from driving home drunk and a quarter said they have taken customers’ keys to prevent them from driving.

 Poll Finds Beer A Holiday Favorite

PORTLAND, Ore. — A new study found that Americans drink enough beer over the holiday season to fill 8,788 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

While Christmas is traditionally associated with cocktails such as eggnogs, Hot Buttered Rums, Hot Toddys and Wassails, it is often underplayed how much beer is consumed during the festive period. According to the poll by PRPioneer.com, nearly 2 in 3 adults drink alcohol and more specifically, 42 percent prefer to drink beer over other alcoholic beverages.

California led the nation in volume of beer consumed between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, according to PRPioneer, with more than 936 Olympic swimming pools worth.

Paris Bar Marks Bloody Mary’s Birthday

PARIS — Harry’s Bar in Paris recently celebrated the 100th birthday of the Bloody Mary, where the cocktail is believed to have been invented in 1921.

The Associated Press reported that according to Harry’s Bar history, bartender Fernand Petiot invented the drink and the recipe was first published in a book called “Harry’s ABC of Cocktails” in 1921.

Despite COVID-19, visitors from around the world visited Harry’s last month to try the cocktail of vodka, tomato juice, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and salt and pepper, according to AP.

Modified Risk Cigarettes Get Marketing OK

WASHINGTON (PRNewswire) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last month authorized the marketing of the first combusted, filtered cigarettes as modified risk tobacco products, which help reduce exposure to, and consumption of, nicotine for smokers who use them.

The cigarettes, 22nd Century Group Inc.’s “VLN King” and “VLN Menthol King,” are the second tobacco products overall to receive “exposure modification” orders, which allows them to be marketed as having a reduced level of, or presenting a reduced exposure to, a substance.

Despite the FDA’s action, the products are not considered safe or “FDA approved,” and the manufacturer is still required to label the packages with one of four warning statements for cigarettes as required by the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act.