1. Remember, bartenders are people, too. Eye contact, a smile, social niceties and consideration will start your interaction off on the right foot. Don’t be that guy who walks up to a busy bar, raises your hand, only to be addressed and have absolutely no clue what you’d like to drink. Understanding the ebb and flow of business will only help your bartender help you. A great bartender is a consummate host, and should be given the chance to show it.

2. The “Strong Island” is not a cocktail. If anything, it is a vacation destination where Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and the Incredible Hulk go to dead lift, drink protein shakes and go full “beast mode.” If you’d like to enjoy a Long Island Iced Tea, do not ask to have it “stronger.” I’m all for a stiff drink, but adding more than the 2.5 ounces of spirit will make this drink unbalanced, which is the reason this cocktail has such a paltry reputation in the first place.

3. If you are drinking with a group of people, have your full order ready before you start ordering. It’s like a trip to the supermarket, far more efficient if you acquire an entire basket of items before checking out, as opposed to collecting and paying for each item one at a time. Don’t be afraid to be a leader. Gather the order, take charge, establish the method of payment and turn chaos into calm coordination. Your bartender will be grateful.

4. If you’re unsure of what you want, don’t be afraid to ask questions. A professional bartender has studied the craft and will politely lead you to a selection you’ll enjoy. A bartender can see right through your bluff, so it only behooves you to be aware of your own bar knowledge (or lack thereof) and let the professionals guide you. When you order a martini up, on the rocks, neat, dry, no vermouth, you’ve only befuddled the bartender and made it harder to get a cocktail you would truly relish.

5. Colors are not flavors. I cannot make you a drink that tastes more red or purple. Identify what you like and what you don’t.

6. Think of a bar as a communal table, a miscellany of patrons all aligned for a shared purpose. This doesn’t make everyone your friend. Respect your neighbors and their space. Most people at the bar enjoy meeting new people, but don’t assume that the hot blonde at the end wants to hear about your pet snail or laugh at your joke of the day. Read your audience and start with polite conversation to gauge interest.