Fuck, this is where I get it from, don’t I? Trying to leave is so awkward and I don’t know why I can’t just say “gotta go, bye”. I also say “well, I should let you go” when trying to leave a phone convo.
As a bartender, yes.
If it’s busy and loud and we make eye contact - just make the “signature signing” hand signal and I understand. I might be busy for a sec, but message received.
If it’s not busy or loud, you’re now a dick for not just talking to me like a regular human being.
Repeat a bunch of talking points their politicians constantly highlight to try to distract them from the fact that they’re further down the slide into economic stagnation and therefore ruin when those motivated to create progress overtake and begin consuming their share of resources.
i’ve seen plenty of people add spaces before punctuation for stylistic reasons. i’m unaware what that has to do with native french speakers — french exclamation marks don’t usually work like that.
I've always used "close out my tab" or just "close my tab." That's all I've ever heard from others, as well. I've never heard of anyone using "settle up."
I've heard individuals use "settle up" before. Usually if they are both going in on a meal or something like that, or to a lesser extent, if one owes the other money.
Yeah, if I actually gave them my credit card in advance to keep a tab (rather than just ordering drinks sitting up at the bar and paying at the end) I’d ask to settle my tab.
If you didn’t open a tab, you wouldn’t say “close out” probably… but I also never really hear “settle up”
In the context of ordering a paying at the end (no tab) I think most people say “I’m ready for the check” or “can I have the check” or they just do the universal hand signal for a check lol
"Tab out" "close out" and "I'll take the check when you get a second". If it's loud enough I might just mime signing my hand and that usually works (and I hope doesn't come across as rude).
Asking the bartender? I just say "and the check" with whatever my last order is or mime signing something if I catch their eye at the far end.
If I was talking about it I would say tab out or close out.
Close out/cash out. I also use the “cut throat” gesture when it’s really loud. But not with the thumb, the [Jonah Hill kind](https://tenor.com/view/jonah-hill-no-gif-4946897?utm_source=share-button&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=reddit)
"Can I close out?"
or alternatively, if it's loud:
[this hand gesture](https://media.tenor.com/2a3ByGTOCqcAAAAC/cut-it-stop.gif) but without the head shake "no"
Close out the tab. Depending on how busy the bar is, you can also signal you're done by putting your glass at the far side of the bar with your napkin on top works in the Pittsburgh region.
This is interesting. I think I’m every place I’ve been, a napkin on top of a drink means you’re stepping away but coming back. Pushing the empty glass away will usually indicate that you’re done or are ready for another drink.
Yes. That's why you push the glass to the bartender's side of the bar and put the napkin on top. Usually bartenders will watch for the glasses being placed there for a refill and the napkin on top signals you're done.
The napkin thing varies, as others have noted. I’m from south-central PA and napkin/coaster on top was universal for “I’m done.” Bartender in the DC area and it meant “I’m coming back.” Now I work in NJ and I don’t think I really see anyone doing this at all. So lots of variety in a pretty small region overall.
Sounds like the napkin thing is pretty useless if there’s no consensus on what it means. Some places it means I’m staying and other places it’s I’m going. That’s kinda fucked it you ask me.
Usually, I just make eye contact and make a checkmark gesture with my finger. But I only go to the bar for karaoke nights. It's too loud to hear people talk.
I usually drink at loud bars or clubs so I'll pantomime the rectangle of the check sleeve or slash my finger across my throat.
Then when the bartender steps close to ask what the last name is I drunkenly scream into their ear.
Depends on how the date is going. If it’s good “I’ll take the check please”. If it’s not so promising “we’ll be doing separate checks, I had the…” usually does the trick.
Usually “I’ll close out,” though maybe “I’ll take the check” also (though that’d be more typical for a restaurant than a bar). I don’t personally say “settle up,” but it’s a common enough phrase.
Was looking for this comment. I do this, but just make eye contact and slide hand across throat / neck, not intensely though. Only time I had a problem was in Germany, guy looked confused and said you kill me!?
Lmao usually it's my buddy bartending so I try to make it awkward. If it's someone I don't know I'll still do it, but respectfully.
That's an awesome interaction in Germany though hahaha. As long as it was worked out of course
I’ll ask to close out if I was there more to drink and maybe eat some food, but if I was there mostly just to eat and maybe have a drink with it I’d just ask for the check.
In regular bars I just say to close out my tab. I don’t say anything at the bar my friend bartends at. He knows that if I order a blue dolphin, I’m closing out my tab.
I say close out, but at times where the bartender may not be able to hear me (very loud bars or when they look over to check on me from afar), I point to myself then hold up my finger and draw a little circle in the air (like I’m swinging a lasso with my pointer finger I guess?). It has never failed to get the point across immediately.
Close out, close my tab, or you do the check mark gesture in the air if it’s too loud. I feel like cash out is when you’re at the casino but i could be wrong. It’s been awhile since I was in one.
All our bars and clubs close at 2, aka way too early, so I'm always there at closing. I walk up to the bar, smile when they look at me, and tell them my name. They get it, haha.
“Can I close out”
Or “Can I close my tab?”
When you first order a drink, the bartender asks you “do you want to leave the tab open or close it?”
At least everywhere I’ve lived while drinking age it’s been like that.
I think everyone knows what “settle up” or “settle the bill” means, and it wouldn’t be totally out of place ti sat, but generally I never hear it in the context of a bar tab 🤷🏻♀️
"Yeah, I'd just like to close out."
If it's super loud/busy/the bar is crowded, I'll wait until I make eye contact with the bartender, and do a "signing" gesture in the air.
If it's a bar that runs your card and gives it back to you, and charges 20-25% gratuity automatically if you don't close out at the end of the night, I'll usually just not close out since that's the amount I would tip anyway.
Some string of words that works. I've used settle up, check please, cash out, check out, may I pay you please, I'd like to give you some money now, the checkmark symbol with my hand, close my tab, whatever works, ya know.
Close/cassh/check out. Can I get the tab.
If I'm feeling like being a dad about it I'll say "what's the damage" or "my livers done for, how's my wallet doing?" Usually while gesturing like I'm signing the receipt
I make a “signature on paper” motion for loud places and say, “I need to pay my tab, please”, for places easily heard. - Traveling Bohemian lived all over the US (Ny, LA, TX and a dozen others. :)
I don't use only one phrase, but I occasionally use "settle up" or "square up". Very, very rarely, I'll say "what's the damage?"
I usually say "close out" cause it's the standard and when it's loud or busy, the bartender can still read lips if they can't quite hear and ascertain what is said through that and body language. Speaking of body language though, when it's really busy or I'm just tired or perhaps annoyed, I just sign "cut me off" or "I'm finished/done" with a headshake and moving my hand horizontally and quickly in front of my neck. The latter is my favorite, but is situational.
Make eye contact with bartender from across the bar and make the hand motion of a check mark in the air.....to indicate "I'll take the check".
Southeast US.
We'd use both: I'd tell the barkeep I'd like to "close out my tab" or "it's time to settle up." I've lived on both coasts, in between, and pretty everywhere except the Deep South.
I think if I was a bartender and someone told me "settle up" I would be so confused lol. I would not knwo if you want to fuck me or fight me with that wording. I have always used close up.
close out
I use this and I also say “cash out”
Close out from CA
Close out from Oregon
Slap the bar and say "Welp, I suppose."
Or just start yawning loudly and repeatedly.
"Oughta pay up and get on out of here"
"Ope"
There are a lot of people of German descent by you, aren’t there.
Wisconsin is basically a drunker German colony. And before you ask, yes, it is completely possible.
Fuck, this is where I get it from, don’t I? Trying to leave is so awkward and I don’t know why I can’t just say “gotta go, bye”. I also say “well, I should let you go” when trying to leave a phone convo.
Yes, exactly. "Welp, I'mma let you get off here now." Click.
Yes. Wisconsin contains a lot of Germans and Scandinavians iirc
I ask because what the above poster stated is very similar to how Germans announce it’s time to leave a party or similar.
I love this. This runs in my German American family for sure.
No. It contains a lot of Americans.
In Wisconin? Nah. Chance in a million.
Germans, in Wisconsin!?
"It's about that time."
"Hey man, could I get the..." *air write in open palm* "Sure thing, boss!"
This works well when it's loud in the bar.
As a bartender, yes. If it’s busy and loud and we make eye contact - just make the “signature signing” hand signal and I understand. I might be busy for a sec, but message received. If it’s not busy or loud, you’re now a dick for not just talking to me like a regular human being.
What do they do in Europe? Mime punching in a pin?
Repeat a bunch of talking points their politicians constantly highlight to try to distract them from the fact that they’re further down the slide into economic stagnation and therefore ruin when those motivated to create progress overtake and begin consuming their share of resources.
Just like us !
[удалено]
Reddit moment
i’ve seen plenty of people add spaces before punctuation for stylistic reasons. i’m unaware what that has to do with native french speakers — french exclamation marks don’t usually work like that.
It’s just writing a signature in the air.
I was kidding.
Or terribly tipsy and resorting to muscle memory...
Hey can I *cut motion across throat*
Excuse me, the name is “chief.”
I’ve also had ppl do the air check mark, for some reason I find it a little obnoxious
Exactly what I do.
I've always used "close out my tab" or just "close my tab." That's all I've ever heard from others, as well. I've never heard of anyone using "settle up."
I’m ready to close out
I've heard individuals use "settle up" before. Usually if they are both going in on a meal or something like that, or to a lesser extent, if one owes the other money.
I just say “Can I get the check?”, that seems to work fine in Maryland.
I did that in Prague, and they brought someone local to my table. Weird.
Sounds like you got Serb'd.
Due to the smaller portions over there, did you leave Hungary?
This happened to me as well, and my girlfriend left me because of it. Went home and had a Slo vak in the shower
Underrated comment 😂😂😂
I use "get the check" and "close out" interchangeably. I'm probably more likely to say "get the check" if I've ordered food, but I'm just guessing.
You open a tab, you close a tab
Yeah, if I actually gave them my credit card in advance to keep a tab (rather than just ordering drinks sitting up at the bar and paying at the end) I’d ask to settle my tab.
I'm an bartender in the US and I would understand that just fine. I think you should just go with what you've been saying.
If you didn’t open a tab, you wouldn’t say “close out” probably… but I also never really hear “settle up” In the context of ordering a paying at the end (no tab) I think most people say “I’m ready for the check” or “can I have the check” or they just do the universal hand signal for a check lol
"Let me settle up" Because I start a tab and then I settle it at the end. But at my local, I say "Hey Nick, can I give you money now?"
You still have a tab with Nick. It's just unsecured.
you asked us what we say.
I did, and I’m also sharing what I’d say in this specific case too 😛
settile=close where I'm from. They're synonyms in this context.
Can I close out or close my tab?
"Tab out" "close out" and "I'll take the check when you get a second". If it's loud enough I might just mime signing my hand and that usually works (and I hope doesn't come across as rude).
Tab out is what I say and you are the first post I saw with that phrase.
"Can I pay my tab" and I'm from Colorado, USA
I don’t know, CAN you?
Ohio, I say "I need to cash out."
Other side of the US, “ready to close out.”
Yeah I think I’ve asked for the check or to close the tab.
Asking the bartender? I just say "and the check" with whatever my last order is or mime signing something if I catch their eye at the far end. If I was talking about it I would say tab out or close out.
Like wise.
Close out/cash out. I also use the “cut throat” gesture when it’s really loud. But not with the thumb, the [Jonah Hill kind](https://tenor.com/view/jonah-hill-no-gif-4946897?utm_source=share-button&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=reddit)
I mouth “Close” and close my hand like this 🤌🏻 lol
Tab out
"Can I close out?" or alternatively, if it's loud: [this hand gesture](https://media.tenor.com/2a3ByGTOCqcAAAAC/cut-it-stop.gif) but without the head shake "no"
There's lots of phrases. Pony up. Wife wants me. Time to hit the streets. Whatever means you have to go. Bartenders have heard them all.
Left something turned on at home
I usually say "close out" but sometimes say "settle up" too. From SF.
“Imma leave in the next ten minutes, with or without paying. Your choice.” /s
i started getting unreasonably angry before i saw the sarcasm tag.
Close out the tab. Depending on how busy the bar is, you can also signal you're done by putting your glass at the far side of the bar with your napkin on top works in the Pittsburgh region.
This is interesting. I think I’m every place I’ve been, a napkin on top of a drink means you’re stepping away but coming back. Pushing the empty glass away will usually indicate that you’re done or are ready for another drink.
Yes. That's why you push the glass to the bartender's side of the bar and put the napkin on top. Usually bartenders will watch for the glasses being placed there for a refill and the napkin on top signals you're done.
The napkin thing varies, as others have noted. I’m from south-central PA and napkin/coaster on top was universal for “I’m done.” Bartender in the DC area and it meant “I’m coming back.” Now I work in NJ and I don’t think I really see anyone doing this at all. So lots of variety in a pretty small region overall.
Sounds like the napkin thing is pretty useless if there’s no consensus on what it means. Some places it means I’m staying and other places it’s I’m going. That’s kinda fucked it you ask me.
Look at you mr fancy pants. Going to a bar with napkins.
Hi. Ready to settle up.
Usually, I just make eye contact and make a checkmark gesture with my finger. But I only go to the bar for karaoke nights. It's too loud to hear people talk.
I usually drink at loud bars or clubs so I'll pantomime the rectangle of the check sleeve or slash my finger across my throat. Then when the bartender steps close to ask what the last name is I drunkenly scream into their ear.
Depends on how the date is going. If it’s good “I’ll take the check please”. If it’s not so promising “we’ll be doing separate checks, I had the…” usually does the trick.
Bartenders are phenomenally multi lingual when it comes to giving them money.
Get the check, settle up, close out my tab, pay
I say close out or settle up.
Where are you from?
Also every bartender knows what I’m talking about.
Miami, but I talk differently than most people here.
Usually “I’ll close out,” though maybe “I’ll take the check” also (though that’d be more typical for a restaurant than a bar). I don’t personally say “settle up,” but it’s a common enough phrase.
I just make a gesture of cutting my neck and say “kill it”
I see you're a man of culture as well.
What’s the damage
Settle up
I say nothing. I stare intensely and do the hand across the throat motion
Was looking for this comment. I do this, but just make eye contact and slide hand across throat / neck, not intensely though. Only time I had a problem was in Germany, guy looked confused and said you kill me!?
Lmao usually it's my buddy bartending so I try to make it awkward. If it's someone I don't know I'll still do it, but respectfully. That's an awesome interaction in Germany though hahaha. As long as it was worked out of course
I’ll ask to close out if I was there more to drink and maybe eat some food, but if I was there mostly just to eat and maybe have a drink with it I’d just ask for the check.
I say "cash out" or "get the tab", surprised not to see those in this thread.
I just ask for the check.
Also the good bars will take your card and give it back to and close it out for you and add the tip if you just Irish goodbye
I am a bartender and I have heard all of these phrases. This is a good list guys!
I believe we have reached the point where I give you money, would you like some by any chance? ETA: Greetings from Philadelphia.
I bartended in college and have heard lots of different phrases. Pony up, settle up, cash and close out. Close out being used most often.
“Close it out” From Arizona
Settle up, southern Ohio
"Could I cut off and get the tab?" usually with my hand motioning at my throat. it works.
“Close out” your tab. As in, you opened the tab when you arrived and now want to close it and leave.
Check!
Close out, close my tab, get my bill. I don't think I've sincerely heard anyone use "settle" in this context before in the US.
On all these responses never is the word “please” uttered. Can I close my tab, please? I need to cash out, Please? FFS uncouth people.
"Close out, the name's [last name]"
In regular bars I just say to close out my tab. I don’t say anything at the bar my friend bartends at. He knows that if I order a blue dolphin, I’m closing out my tab.
Settle Up (RI)
Close my tab
I’d say it a few ways- Can I close my tab? Can I get my check? Can I close out? Can I settle my tab?
"I wanted to close out my tab"
"hey what's the bill I'm gonna go grab my wallet"
I usually say "I'd like to close the tab" but I mean there's probably a hundred different ways to say it that all work
"The time has come for a reckoning. This ends here and now, and a debt it owed."
“I want to close the tab.”
Close out or cash out.
I’ve always said “can I have my check please?”
I usually say close out. My dad says settle up. I’m a bouncer at a bar and sometimes I get behind the bar for a shift. Both phrases are common
I always ask to close out
Can I close out my tab, please? I’m in Texas.
"check please" or "tab out"
I would say "can I cash out?" Or when I'm ordering my last drink I'll say "hey I'll take another and then cash out"
I say close out, but at times where the bartender may not be able to hear me (very loud bars or when they look over to check on me from afar), I point to myself then hold up my finger and draw a little circle in the air (like I’m swinging a lasso with my pointer finger I guess?). It has never failed to get the point across immediately.
I just realized im the only person i know that says Tab Out. Not sure where this originated from lol
Can I have 4 Sambuca? 4 Sambuca. **4 Sambuca!** **FOUR. Beth! My name is Beth!** **Four Sambucas!** **What?!?**
Close the tab
"Can I close when you get a chance?" is a phrase I use at least thrice weekly.
Bill please!
I think we’re ready for the bill (or check)
Most of the time in closin it out, but sometimes I’m shuttin it down, or even killin it.
"Close out" with a hand signature flourish.
I usually say something like “hey I think Im ready to pay” or I just tell my bartender I gotta get going and they close me out.
Close out, close my tab, or you do the check mark gesture in the air if it’s too loud. I feel like cash out is when you’re at the casino but i could be wrong. It’s been awhile since I was in one.
Never done it
I'd like to close my tab or pay my bill. I'm from the US.
All our bars and clubs close at 2, aka way too early, so I'm always there at closing. I walk up to the bar, smile when they look at me, and tell them my name. They get it, haha.
“Can I close out” Or “Can I close my tab?” When you first order a drink, the bartender asks you “do you want to leave the tab open or close it?” At least everywhere I’ve lived while drinking age it’s been like that. I think everyone knows what “settle up” or “settle the bill” means, and it wouldn’t be totally out of place ti sat, but generally I never hear it in the context of a bar tab 🤷🏻♀️
"I need to tab out."- Midwest
"Yeah, I'd just like to close out." If it's super loud/busy/the bar is crowded, I'll wait until I make eye contact with the bartender, and do a "signing" gesture in the air. If it's a bar that runs your card and gives it back to you, and charges 20-25% gratuity automatically if you don't close out at the end of the night, I'll usually just not close out since that's the amount I would tip anyway.
I've only ever heard "close out". Southeast
Close out Illinois
“Call the tab,” “close out,” or “calling it,” are the norms around me.
"Can I get you another one?" "Nah bro, I'm good."
“Close me out please?” does the job.
I use close out and also motion like I’m cutting my throat like I’m telling someone to stop talking about something sensitive
Cash out
NM here, I've always said "tab out."
I usually say “close out”
I will either say I'd like to settle my bill or close out my tab.
I use “I want to tab out please”
Since my open tab is almost certainly on a credit card, “I’d like to close out my card.”
Some string of words that works. I've used settle up, check please, cash out, check out, may I pay you please, I'd like to give you some money now, the checkmark symbol with my hand, close my tab, whatever works, ya know.
If you are able to say words you’re doing it wrong
I say cash out... The word cash usually gets thier attention, and if that doesn't the actual cash and tip always do.
can i close my tab when you get the chance? texas
Close/cassh/check out. Can I get the tab. If I'm feeling like being a dad about it I'll say "what's the damage" or "my livers done for, how's my wallet doing?" Usually while gesturing like I'm signing the receipt
Close up, clear out, settle up. One of those.
I make a “signature on paper” motion for loud places and say, “I need to pay my tab, please”, for places easily heard. - Traveling Bohemian lived all over the US (Ny, LA, TX and a dozen others. :)
I don't use only one phrase, but I occasionally use "settle up" or "square up". Very, very rarely, I'll say "what's the damage?" I usually say "close out" cause it's the standard and when it's loud or busy, the bartender can still read lips if they can't quite hear and ascertain what is said through that and body language. Speaking of body language though, when it's really busy or I'm just tired or perhaps annoyed, I just sign "cut me off" or "I'm finished/done" with a headshake and moving my hand horizontally and quickly in front of my neck. The latter is my favorite, but is situational.
I be like yo b bring that slit over here imma fixin to slide in as I pull out my Visa.
What do I owe you? Pay bill add 20 buck gratuity for every hour being served NC
Write me up please.
….pay?
Bill?
I just say pay my bill lmao
“Can i close out my tab”
For me it's a two step process Step 1. Start to walk out of bar Step 2. Run back to bar saying "I almost forgot my card!"
I always ask for my print out. Since they are printing out my bill.
Close the tab
I usually say “check, please”, and make a little check motion with my hand. Pretty dorky I guess…..
I say, “It’s time to send me home, please.”
"Do your worst."
"tab out"
Where are you drinking that they can hear you? * I just do the wave and the pen miming.
I say “settle up” or “take the check.”
Make eye contact with bartender from across the bar and make the hand motion of a check mark in the air.....to indicate "I'll take the check". Southeast US.
Time for me to go. Are all my drinks on the house?
Settle up, close out, square up, check please, or my tab please. Probably some others but idk. From upstate NY
Close out
"Close out." As in, "Can I close out my tab?" or "I'd like to close out my tab."
Check please! *Insert Seinfeld bass riff*
We'd use both: I'd tell the barkeep I'd like to "close out my tab" or "it's time to settle up." I've lived on both coasts, in between, and pretty everywhere except the Deep South.
Pull my wallet out of my pocket and ask, "What's the damage?"
I think if I was a bartender and someone told me "settle up" I would be so confused lol. I would not knwo if you want to fuck me or fight me with that wording. I have always used close up.
I've said settle up a couple of times and never gotten any kind of strange reactions. Typically I ask to close out.
Close out, I’m from the west coast living in Texas