It doesn't matter if it's a dive bar or a high-end lounge with luxury mocktails. Every bar wants to be the spot where people head to for a first date, a meetup with friends, or a third space for coworkers to unwind during happy hour. However, bars also want to ensure their patrons can drink and relax in a safe and secure environment. The unfortunate reality of most bars is that certain bar patrons might place other patrons in an uncomfortable situation every now and then.
Women, in particular, can be targets of aggressive men trying to hit on them to gain their attention. Many bars have begun implementing an angel shot system to help make more patrons feel safe and avoid situations where they're in immediate danger. Let's dive into angel shots, how bars can introduce them into their service and menu, and the best way a patron can discreetly request an angel shot for their own safety.
What is an angel shot? Angel shots meaning defined
While it might seem like an actual drink poured into a shot glass, an angel shot is actually a unique code disguised as a drink order. When a guest feels threatened by another patron, they can order from the bartender to show they need assistance. Once the bartender receives that "order," they can take appropriate actions with the security team to ensure the guest will feel safe without catching the attention of other patrons.
For example, if a woman ordered an angel shot from a bartender, the bartender would know to have a staff member discreetly help the woman to her car or ride.
What are the different types of angel shot requests?
Different bars implement different types of angel shot orders for a variety of unsafe situations. Since there are so many ways to communicate the need for a "safe" drink order, the bar staff should be trained and aware of possible requests by responding with the appropriate action. Veteran bartenders have seen it all, but it still doesn't hurt to go over safety protocols.
Some variations of angel shots ask the bar or restaurant staff member to call a taxi, escort the guest to a car ride from a family member, or even contact the police. It's also possible for bars and restaurants to customize their type of angel shots. Instead of asking for an angel shot with ice, you can change the names of the drinks to help cover other scenarios and situations that make guests feel unsafe.
1. Angel shot neat or straight
An angel shot ordered neat or straight signifies that a guest wants to be escorted to their car by staff or the security team. An angel shot neat is often considered to be the most discreet way to keep a safe environment in a bar without drawing in too much attention to other patrons.
2. Angel shot on ice or on the rocks
When a customer orders an angel shot on ice or with rocks, that patron is requesting the bar staff to order a ride-share vehicle or taxi. Most times, the security staff will accompany the guest to safety until the vehicle arrives to prevent unwanted attention from the potential threat.
3. Angel shot with a twist or lime
An angel shot with lime or a twist is the most dire of orders in the angel shot system. If a patron asks for that angel shot with a twist, they are asking the bar to contact the police immediately. While nobody wants this situation to ever unfold, it's important to act appropriately in case the situation escalates. Again, staff training here will help raise awareness on the best protocols to maintain a safe place and prevent further liability issues.
How to implement the angel shot system for your bar or restaurant
Angel shots should not be a major selling point for your bar on social media or your usual advertisement campaigns. If too many guests are aware that you serve angel shots, and know what it means, it can defeat the point.
Discretion is key to avoid escalating a bad situation. When a guest orders an angel shot, you want each staff member to act as professionally as possible while also monitoring the situation with a sense of caution. Nobody wants to see an uncomfortable scenario develop into a bad situation after an angel shot order.
To avoid attracting more attention than needed, bartenders should pour a shot or drink consisting of water or tonic after a guest orders an angel shot. They can even pretend to place an order on their bar point-of-sale system to not raise suspicion. After doling out the angel shot, bartenders should alert the bar manager, call a taxi, or alert the authorities as appropriate.
Your employee handbook can be a good opportunity to prepare your bar and restaurant staff on the different angel shot precautions. By having the protocols all in one place, any bartender can discreetly reference the handbook and act accordingly without causing a larger commotion. Alongside those precautions and training, placing signage in a discreet yet accessible place is the easiest way to implement angel shot signs for your bar.
Where to hang an angel shot sign
Since angel shots require a certain amount of discretion, it can be difficult to let customers know you offer the drink order as a viable option if they ever feel unsafe. Thankfully there are other secure ways to inform a patron that they can order an angel shot without alarming others as well.
Most restaurants and bars hang signs to show that they offer the angel shot in the unfortunate case that a patron is stuck in an unsafe situation. The most common place to hang an angel shot sign is the women's restroom since it's a safe area away from the bar crowd itself. Remember, placing too many signs outside the women's bathrooms can make it difficult to ensure safety in your bar or restaurant.
Some bars post fliers or place discrete sections on their menus for guests to notice without drawing attention to the other person. Alternatively, customers can also use the universal "Ask for Angela'' phrase that would notify a bartender that they don't feel safe around a fellow guest.
Angel shot origins. What does "Ask for Angela" mean?
Ordering an angel shot first became a popular safety measure to protect women, especially with the rise of online dating. If a woman's Tinder date does not match her online profile, increasing awareness of the angel shot can help make public meeting places safer for women. While the idea quickly went viral with influencers like Benjamin Smith creating video explanations of angel shots for his TikTok and Instagram, it didn't originate on those platforms. The angel shot initiative originated as a part of the sexual assault prevention campaign, "Ask for Angela."
The "Ask for Angela" phrase originated in England to promote changes in the culture of violence and prevent sexual harassment beyond the bar or restaurant space itself. Just like the angel shot signs, the bar or restaurant places signs about Angela to help make sure guests, especially women, feel safe and supported. If a guest then asks for Angela, the bartender or bar staff will follow the precise safety protocols until everything seems clear for that guest.
Other ways to stay safe in bars
Of course, every bar staff member wants to make sure their patrons always feel safe before even implementing an angel shot system. That's why it's highly encouraged to continually remind guests of safety protocols. Beyond hanging a sign in the women's restroom, bartenders should stay aware of patrons who leave a drink unattended. Some bars can even offer complimentary soda drinks for patrons wishing to stay sober for the night.
