- Numbers are often used for discreet communication by staff in busy bars
- Bartenders shared secret codes on Reddit, including 86, 200, 609, and 700
- By ordering an ‘angel shot’, a customer sends a hidden signal for help
Most drinkers are baffled at some point by what a bartender says, but you may have a better excuse for your confusion than having had too much alcohol.
Bartenders have a secret code to communicate with each other without customers being able to understand what they are saying and discussion of the topic has resurfaced on Reddit.
The code is largely numeric and often serves as an abbreviation to speed things up in a busy bar, but bartenders also use it to describe customers.
If a bartender has run out of something, they might say “86,” while 200 means a waiting customer and 700 refers to an attractive customer, according to several Reddit users.
A recent comment added that the numbers 601 and 602 are used when someone needs to use the bathroom and 609 is used to describe suspicions that someone is “going to get a line of cocaine.”
Bartenders have a secret code to communicate with each other without customers being able to understand
The bartender’s code would be largely numeric and often serves as an abbreviation to speed things up in a busy bar, but bartenders also use it to describe customers
“I think it would be fun and useful to get my staff working,” the original poster reads.
Some bartenders on the wire say they use the numerical system, while others have replaced it with code words.
Different numbers on the post are used to talk about a woman’s appearance.
One commenter said that despite not using “too many number codes,” they use “86” and the “area code scale” for women.
“The first number is the face on a scale of 0-9, the second number is 0 or 1 (yes or no), and the last number is body,” they said.
Another number mentioned more than once is “747,” which is code for someone who is fat.
The number code is obviously useful for bartenders, but one drink order has also made its way into the language of the bar.
Many describe what to do when customers find themselves in uncomfortable or potentially dangerous situations.
If someone orders an ‘angel shot’ that’s the code for ‘I need help’.
“It’s just a great way to make sure we all feel safe,” said Benji Smith, known as Benji Spears on TikTok.
Other “angel shot” commands have also made their way into the lexicon of bars.
An ‘angel shot with lime’ is code for ‘serious situation – call the police’.
Many bartenders describe what to do when customers find themselves in awkward or potentially dangerous situations. If someone orders an ‘angel shot’ that’s the code for ‘I need help’
An ‘angel shot neat’ means the customer needs security or a bartender to escort them to their car
An ‘angel shot neat’ means the customer needs security or a bartender to escort them to their car.
Finally, “angel shot on the rocks of with ice” tells bartenders to order an Uber or Lyft.
Reddit users also describe some of the language used in their locations. One bartender explained that the term “advent” is code for “attractive-looking women about to enter.”
A general manager of a sports bar and nightclub said that “staff meeting” is code for “shots” at his bar on busy nights.
“I call for staff meetings on busy evenings when it looks like my staff is about to lose,” he said.