text: “Can I get a little alcohol with my glass of ice?” You like your cocktails cold. But most bartenders seem a little too generous with the extra cubes. Are they trying to skimp on liquor?
  Probably not, explains Scott Young, author and founder of TheBartendingMasters.com. Young estimates he’s served roughly 900,000 drinks in his lifetime, and he says the ice in your glass doesn’t affect how much alcohol you’re served. “Most bars have predetermined liquor amounts for each drink. So whether you start with a lot of ice or a little, the same quantity of alcohol is going in your glass.”
  That said, bartenders are taught that ice is their friend. The more of it in your glass, the longer it will take for your drink to become watered down, and the faster you’ll finish it, Young explains. That means you’ll be ready for a new one—or you’ll swallow your evening’s allotment and make way for a new drink—in less time. More ice does limit the room for mixers, Young says. But if that bothers you, no bartender’s going to charge you for topping off your drink with more Coke or soda after you’ve had a few swallows.
  Here are more answers to your biggest bar-related questions:
  Q: What should you tip to keep your bartender happy?
  A: Young says 20 percent is standard and expected for good service. But if you’re having a cheap can or a happy-hour draft, you should really be leaving at least $2 per beer—regardless of its price. “Bartenders work on tips,” Young stresses. And a buck tip per beer isn’t going to pay the rent. Cash tipping is especially appreciated—even if you’re paying your tab with a credit card, Young says. If you want the best service, don’t wait until the end of the night to reward your bartender. “If you know you’re going to be drinking for a while, drop $20 on the bar when you start your tab,” Young suggests. “That way, I know upfront that you’re going to take care of me, and so I’ll take great care of you.”
  Q: What’s the smartest way to buy a woman a drink?
  A: Whether she’s alone or with friends, you’ll want to make a game out of your offer, Young advises. For example: Ask the bartender for a wine glass and a straw, and tell your target and her coterie you’ll buy them all a round if they can figure out two different ways to pick up the wineglass using only the straw. “You’re offering them a challenge, and at the same time focusing their attention on the game—not on whether or not to shoot you down,” Young explains. If your girl is alone, write a riddle on a napkin and have the bartender deliver it with the promise that you’ll buy her a drink if she can solve it. “Just be sure you buy her and her friends the drinks you offered either way,” Young recommends.
  Q: Is it legal for bartenders to drink on the job?
  A: That depends on the country, the state, the city, and the municipality, Young explains. “The laws vary everywhere.” But whether or not it’s legal, a bartender will always appreciate—and reward—your offer to buy him a drink. Just make it a shot. “Not many bartenders are going to be comfortable sipping a beer or a cocktail while they’re working,” Young says. But a shot provides a nice little buzz without pulling him away from his duties.
  Q: Is it always cool to pay by credit card?
  A: “Not many bartenders will complain,” Young says, “but they definitely don’t appreciate having to run a credit card if you’re only paying for one round.” That’s doubly true if the bar is crowded, he adds. Because it takes time to enter a credit card into the bar’s computer, you should really only use plastic if you’re paying a large tab or buying multiple rounds, he says.
  Q: How germ-ridden is that plastic container that holds the lime wedges and lemon twists?
  A: “I haven’t seen any studies on that, but yeah, that thing may not get cleaned too often,” Young says with a laugh. And even though he’s been handling cash for hours, you can be sure your bartender isn’t washing his hands before digging his fingers in the container for your garnish. “Lime is a natural disinfectant, which I’ve heard is why they originally put it in Coronas,” Young says. But unless you really love that spritz of citrus in your drink, you may want to pass on the E. coli-coated fruit.
  Q: What’s the best way to get a bartender’s attention?
  A: Waving and shouting will only leave you looking like a jackass who can’t get service, shows a study of bartender behavior from Germany. If you want to get a server’s attention, stand as close to the bar as possible, square your shoulders at the bartender, and lock your eyes onto his. This lets him know you’re ready to order, the research suggests. He probably has a lineup in his head based on when patrons stepped to the bar, and following these steps will add you to his mental queue, the study authors say.