Angel shot: Bartenders reveal secret drink order that serves as an SOS when you’re feeling unsafe
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There is now a secret drink that you can order while out at a bar to alert bartenders that you feel unsafe and need help.
The discreet drink order, known as the ‘angel shot,’ has become a viral sensation recently – with bartenders and users alike sharing the meaning behind the potentially life-saving codeword to TikTok.
The secret code used to signal help has been explained in many viral videos, and some users have even described the different ways of ordering the ‘drink’ depending on the severity of the situation.
The drink order the ‘angel shot’ – a codeword for discreetly asking for help from a bartender, has become a viral sensation
Bartenders and users alike have been sharing the meaning behind the potentially life saving drink order on TikTok
Many creators, who also serve as bartenders, like Benjamin Smith, have taken to social media to either explain the meaning and show the different ways to order an ‘angel shot’
Benjamin Smith, a creator and bartender from Los Angeles, California, went viral on TikTok after he reenacted a customer ordering an angel shot.
In his video, which racked up over 11.3 million views, the bartender explained: ‘An angel shot is key.
‘It can save you or your best friend’s life, so it’s something we should all know about.’
He went on to describe the three different ways to order the drink and what each of them mean.
The first is an angel shot with lime, which lets bartenders or staff members know the situation is severe and to call the cops.
An angel shot neat is the second way to order the drink, which means you need security or a bartender to walk you to your car.
And the last way to order the drink is by asking for an angel shot on the rocks or with ice, which tells bartenders to order an Uber, Lyft, or taxi for you.
And while the majority of videos focus on spreading awareness about the drink order that allows someone to notify staff they’re feeling unsafe without drawing too much attention, others have been making light of the situation by creating ‘meme’ videos.
Some creators have turned the trend into a joke by reenacting the interaction between a customer and bartender, then pulling out a baseball bat or toy gun after hearing the drink order.
Following the viral trend, bars around the world began placing signs in the women’s restroom, which explain how to ask for help by ordering the ‘angel shot.’
One sign was spotted at a Hooters in South Africa and it read: ‘Is your Tinder or Plenty of Fish date not who they said they were on their profile?
‘Do you feel unsafe, or even just a little bit weird? We’re here to help. Just go to the bar and order an angel shot.’
The sign goes on to explain the different ways to order an angel shot depending on the help you need.
Many on social media have urged those ordering to have the meaning pulled up on their phone or ask the bartender to look it up
Following the viral trend, bars around the word are even serving up the secret code that could save a life by placing signs in the women’s restroom, which explains how to order an angel shot
Some creators have turned the trend into a joke by reenacting the interaction between a customer and bartender then pulling out a baseball bat or toy gun after hearing the drink order
And while the intention of the trend is to raise awareness some creators like bartender Michelle Kimball, from North Carolina, said the drink was becoming too ‘publicized’
The angel shot is product of the ‘ask for Angela’ campaign, which began in Lincolnshire, United Kingdom, in 2016.
In the wake of the #MeToo movement, awareness about sexual assault was at an all- time high, so the Lincolnshire County Council developed the ‘ask for Angela’ campaign.
Many bars and restaurants began to implement the ‘ask for Angela’ campaign, which was designed to prevent sexual violence and urge those who felt unsafe to ‘ask for Angela.’
When the staff would receive the request, they would help the customer discreetly leave the bar or restaurant and call the police if needed.
The ‘ask for Angela’ campaign became popular in Europe, is caused the US to develop its own version, known as the ‘angel shot.’
Since there are no requirements to bar or restaurant staff to know what the secret drink order means, many on social media have urged those ordering to have the meaning pulled up on their phone or ask the bartender to look it up.
And while the intention of the trend is to raise awareness, some creators – like bartender Michelle Kimball, from Charlotte, North Carolina – said the drink was becoming too ‘publicized.’
In a response video to a user who asked if someone had ever ordered an angel shot from her, Angela said: ‘No I’ve never had anybody order an angel shot from me and I hope no one ever has to.’
She added: ‘Honestly the whole point of an angel shot is the ask the bartender for help discreetly.
‘We’ve been publicizing it so much, making it so well known, that if somebody asks me for one, the person next to them, that they’re asking for help from, is going to know what it is.’
And while a few user have expressed their concerns about the trend revealing the truth about the angel shot, many have thanked the creators for spreading awareness
Another Twitter user agreed noting: ‘TikTok and Instagram really turned the angel shot into a romanticized trope plot and now a genuine system women can use to escape violence is just s**** and giggles for drama kids on the internet I hate it here.’
Another TikTok user added: ‘My concern is the amount of abusers seeing this so now the this type of thing won’t work for the ones being abused.’
And while a few user have expressed their concerns about the trend revealing the truth about the angel shot, many have thanked the creators for spreading awareness.
‘I love this! Just learned this just now. Thank you,’ said one user.
Another user added: ‘An angel shot with lime actually did save my life. Thank you for posting this!’
‘Thank you for educating. I literally had no idea what that meant,’ wrote one user.
One bartender even chimed in and commented: ‘Bartended for years. Glad this is out there. I’ve had to stop and remove people for putting powders in girls drinks.’
Another user added: ‘Thank you so much for these videos!!! I send them to my daughters and nieces and they send them to their friends! You are amazing!’