I was wondering do all restaurant shops require you to purchase alcohol? I don't drink, don't like to be around the stuff. Do they have shops for non-drinkers?

The majority of restaurant shops we do have no alcohol purchase because our medications disallow alcohol. Even places where we need to do a bar visit, many allow you to buy non-alcoholic and if you must buy alcoholic you are still not required to drink it. If you have strong feelings about alcohol, as you seem to have, "I don't drink, don't like to be around the stuff." I would suggest you stay away from even those shops that do not require you drink alcohol purchased or have you visiting a bar even for a soda because of the possibility of judgmental bias.

Thanks for your response. I go to many restaurants that serve alcohol and have bars in them, I just don't want alcohol at my table even if I'm not going to drink it. I would never go to just a stand alone bar, so I would never consider that type of shop.

I think @Flash meant restaurants that have a separate bar area: sometimes the shop guidelines require that you sit in the bar and order a drink to assess the bartender in addition to sitting in the dining room to assess the food server.

I've never seen a shop for just a stand alone bar. But that would be awesome, and I'd totally do it if I did.
I never really noticed it before because it doesn't really matter to me, but now that you mention it, I guess there are a lot of shops that require a bar visit or the purchase of an alcoholic drink.

CaliGirl925, Thanks for the clarification.

I have seen shops for a stand alone bar, but it is not something I would be likely take. Many of the nicer restaurant shops require either a bar visit or ordering alcohol of some sort at the table, or both. A series of restaurants we do wants a minimum of 15 minutes at the bar before or after having dinner in the dining room. We never avoid a restaurant shop because of an alcohol requirement, even though at this point neither of us is supposed to drink. My companion can adjust his meds so he can have a beer because he likes to occasionally sample different ales. Even when my meds get changed in October such that I can again have alcohol I probably won't simply because my alcohol tolerance has gotten so low that after a mixed drink or glass of wine I am ready to go take a nap.

The vast majority of mid-range dining we do has no alcohol requirements at all, which is answer to your first question. The vast majority of upscale and fine dining we do requires alcohol purchase to evaluate server and/or bartender knowledge and performance. None of those require that we drink the alcohol. Deciding you don't even want untasted alcohol on your table will limit the restaurants you can shop.

I go to many restaurants that serve alcohol and have bars in them.

There are plenty of fast food and fast casual restaurants that don't serve alcohol or serve so little you might think the don't have it.

If you are thinking of sit-down restaurants, the requirements are based on each client. In such places many allow you to purchase alcohol or not as you please. Some require alcohol, but those are not the majority in my experience. However, many of the higher end dining require to you sit both at the bar and a table during the shop. Again you may be required to purchase alcohol or given an option to get something non-alcoholic. It depends on the client.

I had one shop of a stand alone bar (it was actually an upscale pub) and the guidelines specifically told you not to consume either of the two drinks and where to leave them so as not to be too suspicious. I didn't want to not have any (wasteful) but I drank less than half of either drink. I was in and out in about 40 minutes.

I did a fine dining shop that required 2 drinks to be purchased, but they did not have to be alcoholic (they have both lunch and dinner shops, same guidelines on the drinks). My guest and I both ordered pop and were happy with them. I would try A Closer Look, that's the MSP that had this one I mentioned.

..OOH i love to go to the resto that havent serves a drink..^_^

I so much like it when I am up-sold on a "special" house drink that is fancy. I have started to order drinks outside my normal rum and coke when dining when not on a shop due to becoming spoiled with good drinks.

I ask what the specials are and probe for happy hour drink specials when not on a shop. Then I ask a probing question to the bartender, "What do you recommend?" This ALWAYS results in a great drink at a good price.

You treat the bartender like they are a human being, and they will make you a nice drink.

P.S. Most chain restaurants have a "Shirley Temple" house drink without any alcohol that they can soak you for $5-$6 that they push if you say you don't drink alcohol. You will get a bunch of fruit on the top of the glass and some fresh juices. Go with it!

Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 08/16/2015 05:19AM by scanman1.

Regarding non-drinking shoppers who are hesitant to take shops requiring the purchase of alcohol, I recall a member sharing her method of taking the drink to the restroom, or to talk on the phone in a more private spot. Returning to the bar or dining room, her glass was no longer full.

Haven't in a while, but I used to do bar integrity shops. They generally required staying 30, 60, or 90 minutes. No more than two drinks per person and bar bites or apps were reimbursed. Observations of cash handling, ringing in orders at the register, tab placement, pouring practices, etc. are reported. They paid pretty good. At the bar, my husband watched whatever was on TV, and I input observations on my laptop as they occurred.

@Mert wrote:

Regarding non-drinking shoppers who are hesitant to take shops requiring the purchase of alcohol, I recall a member sharing her method of taking the drink to the restroom, or to talk on the phone in a more private spot. Returning to the bar or dining room, her glass was no longer full.

Haven't in a while, but I used to do bar integrity shops. They generally required staying 30, 60, or 90 minutes. No more than two drinks per person and bar bites or apps were reimbursed. Observations of cash handling, ringing in orders at the register, tab placement, pouring practices, etc. are reported. They paid pretty good. At the bar, my husband watched whatever was on TV, and I input observations on my laptop as they occurred.

I did this shop 2x for a BBQ themed place with a bar and you had to arrive near closing. (Think midnight)
Both times it was a new crew of people and the manager had given the "overide" card to the bartender was was pounding drafts that they took to the kitchen while the bartender was voiding sales left and right with the POS system flashing RED. Sure I was given funds for a good meal at the bar and a drink, but the detailed report that certainly would get the bartender and the assistant manager or whoever was running the place was more effort than doing a FF shop and just paying for the BBQ place with my own cash and the email coupons are like 50% off for this place. If you don't go for a while, they will send you a "Spend $20 and get $10 off" This will get two people through a non drinking lunch with proper tip for like $15. No report, no nightmare of knowing your describing 1-2 peoples job ending and no liability of being dragged into the middle of it if they fight the termination.

I see the scheduler sending out begging emails for this job, so I must not be the only one who is a one and done for the assignment.

And both times my food and drink service was great. (They did not want any report on the food timing or standards) The thieving bartender had a heavy (think double) pour looking for a tip reward as well once you made your cover story. Out of town, just got off work before heading to hotel or whatever put them at ease.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/16/2015 01:45PM by scanman1.

Integrity shops have that inherent risk, I agree. Fortunately, I never did one that was as messed up as yours.

My usual dinner partner no longer drinks alcohol, but does enjoy a non-alcoholic beer like O'Douls now and then. If he was young enough, he'd be carded for ordering it. Several times I've asked a scheduler if that's an acceptable drink to order. The answer has always come back no.

I believe that there are many restaurants that allow one not to order alcoholic drinks and serve juices instead. Look for those that have many drink options that are not alcoholic and you will surely enjoy your dinner.

Hi Shoppers -

I just wanted to point out something that I recommend to many shoppers who do not drink alcohol.

Google the term: Mocktails

Before you go to your shop, look up the various "mocktails" and pick a couple that sound yummy. Then, do your bar portion, ask for your "rum and coke" checking for an upsell from the bartender. Given them that second to upsell. If they do not - before they start to mix your drink, "change your mind" and ask for one of those yummy mocktails you found online!

Most bar portions of any shop for any MSC you do may require you to have a cash transaction at your bar. Keep in mind, some bartenders may NOT charge you for a soda or coffee. If you are not charged, then you won't have your cash transaction.

Hence the reason I always suggested mocktails - you know you will have your cash transaction. Some of those mocktails out there look absolutely amazing and delicious!

Hope this tip helps those of you who would love to do dinner/bar shops, but cannot for personal reasons visit the bar or drink alcohol.

KH

Thanks for the info Kimberly. Of course, this method would not work if reporting on the bartender's pouring practices was required.

I have also known shoppers who get the mixed drink, take it, and walk to the restroom, or out-of-the way corner, where they dump half or more of the drink, then return to the bar. The bartender then is given the opportunity to suggest a refill.

Am interested in doing the resturant shops,I if you could sign me up for several of them to do.

@Meliss wrote:

Am interested in doing the resturant shops,I if you could sign me up for several of them to do.

Meliss, welcome to the forum. No one here can sign you up for anything. We are a group of mystery shoppers sharing information and discussing mystery shopping.

In order to get any kind of shops, you must first register with mystery shopping companies on their websites. After you have registered, providing your social security number and personal information to a company, and you have signed their independent contractor agreement (ICA), which usually includes a confidentiality clause, you will be able to look at the Job Board to see if there are jobs you can apply for. Some companies also have tests and ask for writing samples. There's a great list of 200 companies at the bottom of the page here on the forum. I recommend you sign up with at least 50 for the best volume of potential shops in your area.

My husband and I did an integrity bar shop at an ale house downtown near the college. We soon figured out why they were losing money--the whole college-aged staff, including the college-aged manager, were pounding drinks and shots that were not being recorded or paid for. One female bartender was letting other bartenders and customers use her for body shots, and the antics got crazier and crazier throughout the night. It was a pain in the butt to write and report...

@Mert wrote:

Thanks for the info Kimberly. Of course, this method would not work if reporting on the bartender's pouring practices was required.

I have also known shoppers who get the mixed drink, take it, and walk to the restroom, or out-of-the way corner, where they dump half or more of the drink, then return to the bar. The bartender then is given the opportunity to suggest a refill.

This is what I do. I don't drink alcohol, but I've had to order it more times than I can count. I just don't drink it. A lot of times I take it to the restroom. I've also ordered a rum and coke with the rum as a shot. I've spilled it into my coke at the end of the night. Never had an issue with the way I conduct these shops.