Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Any Bartenders?

tiffjake

By tiffjake
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

Recommended Posts

tiffjake Enthusiast
tiffjake
Posted

(edit-duh, I was trying to type "what are some safe drinks"...man, I need to go to bed!) :rolleyes:

I know that there are safe alcohols, but if I am just wanting to order a drink at a bar off of the menu, are there any drinks that I can order and KNOW are safe (based on the ingredients)? Martini? Daqueri? Rum and coke? What can I order with out "reading labels"? :D

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


lorka150 Collaborator
lorka150
Posted

i'm not a bartender, but i remember awhile ago i read a thread about the nozzle things (sorry, i don't know the term) that you can press the different buttons and different sodas/water come out of (for drinks)... anyway, a few bartenders mentioned sometimes they get plunge them into the glass (like when it fills up), so if the alcohol itself has gluten, it gets on the spout, which can gluten you, in the end.

my opinion would be if you want something other than wine or something in a bottle, then get something without a mix (like a dry martini), or see if they (which i doubt, though) have cans of pop for mixing.

hope this helps a bit!

kari Apprentice
kari
Posted
i'm not a bartender, but i remember awhile ago i read a thread about the nozzle things (sorry, i don't know the term) that you can press the different buttons and different sodas/water come out of (for drinks)... anyway, a few bartenders mentioned sometimes they get plunge them into the glass (like when it fills up), so if the alcohol itself has gluten, it gets on the spout, which can gluten you, in the end.

my opinion would be if you want something other than wine or something in a bottle, then get something without a mix (like a dry martini), or see if they (which i doubt, though) have cans of pop for mixing.

hope this helps a bit!

the soda gun shouldn't ever touch the liquor, but even if it did, they are usually cleaned at least once a day, and the soda (mix) comes from inside, so doesn't really come in contact with the outside of the gun anyway, so that's really a non issue. i think just about all liquors and mixers (soda/juice/milk) are gluten free, so you should be all set with anything other than beer. especially, like i've said before, at smaller, family owned restaurants or nicer restaurants (as opposed to chains) because they're more likely to use basic fresh ingredients (i.e. fresh strawberries and rum for a daquiri instead of some sugary processed mix) i'm a bartender and like to experiment with new drinks, and have never had a gluten problem after drinking, just stay away from beer, and be more careful at a bar during its busy time because the beer from the taps can get all over everything. just be nice and polite and ask for a glass fresh from the dishwasher if it looks like that's going to be an issue where you are.

elonwy Enthusiast
elonwy
Posted

I loooove martini's and fruity things. I always ask what brand of juice they're using, and ask to read the label if they'll let me, its usually not a problem. I don't trust Tropicana. Pucker is gluten free, so thats an easy one, I love my green apple martinis. I go to bars that carry blue ice and Chopin on purpose so I can have martinis. Rum and coke is always a nice fallback. I adore Mojitos, PF Changs has a pear mojito that is awesome. I do avoid grain alcohol, as I get an allergic type reaction in my sinuses. Gin fizzes are nice if you like Gin. ( its a Gin and Tonic with lime). For shots, I do tequila, or Silk Panties ( better with Blue Ice than Chopin). Dekuyper Schnapps are gluten free. Sadly, I can no longer have my Godiva Chocolate Martinis. <sigh>

Despite appearances, I don't actually drink that much, but when i do, I really enjoy it. :)

Elonwy

Edit: I wanted to add, I'm super sensitive (kissed a boy last night who drank a Guinness and it made me sick-arg!) and I've yet to have trouble at the bar. I do watch them make it and check ingredients on new things. They're usually pretty patient with me, though I do get funny looks.

eleep Enthusiast
eleep
Posted

Oh, so the kissing/cross-contamination thing is real! Wow.

eleep

lorka150 Collaborator
lorka150
Posted
(kissed a boy last night who drank a Guinness and it made me sick-arg!)

hey, at least it was a quality beer! don't want to waste that smooch on a bud or blue!

CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted

I haven't had a problem with rum and Cokes. Even if you order a soft drink at a restaurant, they often come from the bar, so if contamination were a problem, you wouldn't want to drink anything but bottled water. I don't think it's much of an issue.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Guest ~jules~
Guest ~jules~
Posted

In my early 20s I was a bartender, I left that a long time ago, not for me :P However my husband and I do enjoy a few drinks here and there. I haven't had a problem with rum n coke or wine, although I haven't developed that "love" for wine that some have. :D I think your safe with rum, whiskey, vodka, hard cider. As far as mixed fruity things I think it may get complicated, not impossible but complicated, lol. Can you really get glutened by kissing someone! Sheesh, I joked about that with my hubby, is it actually true? One word keeps popping into my head since I got dx, and the more I learn, REDICULOUS!!! lol...

CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted
In my early 20s I was a bartender, I left that a long time ago, not for me :P However my husband and I do enjoy a few drinks here and there. I haven't had a problem with rum n coke or wine, although I haven't developed that "love" for wine that some have. :D I think your safe with rum, whiskey, vodka, hard cider. As far as mixed fruity things I think it may get complicated, not impossible but complicated, lol. Can you really get glutened by kissing someone! Sheesh, I joked about that with my hubby, is it actually true? One word keeps popping into my head since I got dx, and the more I learn, REDICULOUS!!! lol...

Yea, I find humor in this, too. Seems crazy. It is crazy, but it's our lot in life!!

pinkpei77 Contributor
pinkpei77
Posted

ok.. so i am a bartender at a VERY busy bar. and i read this thread before i went to work last night beacuse i had already had an opinion, but i wanted to work a busy saturday night and come back on here and see if i felt the same.

and i am sticking with my original opinion.

i wouldnt drink anything from the gun at MY bar.

maybe somewhere else, but my bar is way to busy and the i just saw cc issues EVERYWHERE.

maybe im a little more sensitive and maybe its just me being overly cautious.

i had a girl onetime ask what brand of pineapple we used and i said "dole" and she said "oh..okay i can have that one, thats on the list" i thought hmm.. i wonder if she has celiac.. so i asked, she said yes and i was sooooo super careful for her...i personally rewashed a glass , put a new tip on the bottle , got a fresh can of juice and got her a straw out of a new box . she was soooo grateful and thanked me alot.

now with that being said.. me doing all of this for her..(which i didn't mind) my other bartender helped 3 people in the time i did that.

so needless to say.. if you are in a BUSY BUSY bar.. i think cc issues are something to be concerned about.

this is just my opinion and from working in the same bar for 6 years i will not drink soda from the gun .

elonwy Enthusiast
elonwy
Posted

Yeah I've also gotten sick while sharing a cigarrete with someone who was drinking a beer. That was a while ago.

Had I known he was going to kiss me I probably wouldn't have let him, but I got taken by surprise. I think it was because he was drinking beer at the time, and I could actually taste beer. I didn't get really sick, but there was definite gurgling after that and some unhappiness yesterday.

It was a really good kiss though.

Elonwy

Judyin Philly Enthusiast
Judyin Philly
Posted
now with that being said.. me doing all of this for her..(which i didn't mind) my other bartender helped 3 people in the time i did that.

so needless to say.. if you are in a BUSY BUSY bar.. i think cc issues are something to be concerned about.

this is just my opinion and from working in the same bar for 6 years i will not drink soda from the gun .

Thanks so much Pink for the post.

I'll remember this post and think i'll put it in my 'drinking folder'

judy

IrishKelly Contributor
IrishKelly
Posted

Watch out for whiskey (and Scotch) because they are derived from gluten containing grains like barley or wheat...i can't remember which one though <_<

CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted
Watch out for whiskey (and Scotch) because they are derived from gluten containing grains like barley or wheat...i can't remember which one though <_<

If they don't add back sour mash, they're okay because they are distilled.

Judyin Philly Enthusiast
Judyin Philly
Posted

Does anyone know if Calverts Extra blended whiskey is ok ?

I've asked before but never really got a firm answer.

thanks judy

jkmunchkin Rising Star
jkmunchkin
Posted

I usually get Ketel One and 7, with lemon. I haven't had a problem yet but after pinkpei77's post maybe I'll just start drinking straight vodka...

Corkdarrr Enthusiast
Corkdarrr
Posted

I've been bartending for three years now. I can see how CC could be a serious issue involving the soda gun. I have personally never had any problems, and I don't treat my occassional soda any different than anyone else's. Granted, I might just not be as sensitive to those things yet.

In terms of drinks, it varies so much from bar to bar in terms of the products and mixers used (juices and sour mixes, etc...) My bar is great 'cuz we squeeze our own OJ and grapefruit juice.

If you're highly sensitive to CC, then I would stick to wine. But if you're looking to go out on a more regular basis, I would recommend that you find a bar that you like and stick with that one. Most bartenders - especially if they're not busy - don't mind doing that extra favor or two for you. check out one or two of your favorite bars in terms of mixers, etc... and get to know the staff (make sure you tip well, because otherwise we just don't care as much!). If you're at least a semi-regular customer who consistently tips well, I'd say the majority of bartenders will be willing to go the extra mile.

I know I would. But maybe I'm just a super nice person. :)

elonwy Enthusiast
elonwy
Posted

As a semi regular who tips very well, I have to say it really does wonders. Everyone wants to be appreciated at thier job, and if someone goes the extra mile for you, and pulls out all the juice boxes so you can read the labels, and answers those bazillion questions so you can get a fruity girly drink, they deserve a really big tip.

I personally love the feeling of going somewhere that knows what I'm going to order before I get all the way to the bar. But thats just me.

Rum and coke is my fallback if I'm at an unfamiliar place. That or just tequila shots and water. This whole switching to only hard alcohol thing has got a few of my friends a little worried, but I just try to explain I haven't got much of a choice ;)

Elonwy

pinkpei77 Contributor
pinkpei77
Posted
(make sure you tip well, because otherwise we just don't care as much!). ,

hahaha. so true.

Corkdarrr Enthusiast
Corkdarrr
Posted
As a semi regular who tips very well, I have to say it really does wonders. Everyone wants to be appreciated at thier job, and if someone goes the extra mile for you, and pulls out all the juice boxes so you can read the labels, and answers those bazillion questions so you can get a fruity girly drink, they deserve a really big tip.

I personally love the feeling of going somewhere that knows what I'm going to order before I get all the way to the bar. But thats just me.

Rum and coke is my fallback if I'm at an unfamiliar place. That or just tequila shots and water. This whole switching to only hard alcohol thing has got a few of my friends a little worried, but I just try to explain I haven't got much of a choice ;)

Elonwy

Elonwy, I wish all my customers had your attitude!

barbara3675 Rookie
barbara3675
Posted

It was my thoughts that if you drank distilled alcohol like vodka made from grain that it is o.k. I have had limited amounts of it with no after effects. It was Ruby Red Absolute with canned cranberry juice (which, by the way, is the new hot drink this summer and so nice---a light pink grapefruity taste). I own a tavern and restaurant and drink from the gun on a regular basis with no problem. I think I will, now that it has been mentioned, though, be a little more cautious and cleanse the gun before I use it, just to be sure, but will continue to use the gun. Barbara

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted

I drink Strongbow & Woodchuck Ciders. Also, rum (bacardi and Malibu), Maker's Mark bourbon, Cointreau.

Jinscoe Newbie
Jinscoe
Posted

Ever since I was diagnosed I quickly found a love for hard ciders. That's been over three years ago. I learned to like rum and coke or a martini as well. I was never really much of a beer drinker but a few bars in my area have started to serve Bard's Tale gluten-free beer. And a local brewer (Widmer) has been experimenting on thier own with a gluten-free beer which they have on tap. So I've been lucky enough to have no problems finding something to drink when out with friends.

I definitely miss Chambord though... a black martini used to be my favorite.

And I definitely agree with the tipping conversation!

olalisa Contributor
olalisa
Posted
Ever since I was diagnosed I quickly found a love for hard ciders.

So hard cider is okay?? Can you tell me some brands, because I think I had that at a party or two before my dx, but I didn't pay attention to what exactly it was.

CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted
I definitely miss Chambord though... a black martini used to be my favorite.

So, is Chambord not gluten-free? I haven't been drinking it, but I do like a little bit of it in Champagne at Christmastime!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. JoJo0611
      - JoJo0611 replied to JoJo0611's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      4

      CT with contrast.

      I didn’t know there were different types of CT. I’m not sure which I had. It just said CT scan with contrast.
    2. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Russ H's topic in Publications & Publicity
      1

      Coeliac UK Research Conference 2025

      Thanks for sharing this!
    3. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Ginger38's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      2

      Shingles - Could It Be Related to Gluten/ Celiac

      I had the same thing happen to me at around your age, and to this day it's the most painful experience I've ever had. For me it was the right side of my head, above my ear, running from my nerves in my neck. For years before my outbreak I felt a tingling sensation shooting along the exact nerves that ended up exactly where the shingles blisters appeared....
    4. trents
      - trents replied to Mmoc's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      3

      Blood tests low iGA 4 years later digestive issues

      Keep us posted.
    5. Scott Adams
      0

      Celiac.com Video News: November 2025

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,399
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Hoyt Marquis
    Newest Member
    Hoyt Marquis
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • JoJo0611
      CT with contrast.

      By JoJo0611 · Posted

      I didn’t know there were different types of CT. I’m not sure which I had. It just said CT scan with contrast. 
    • Scott Adams
      Coeliac UK Research Conference 2025

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Thanks for sharing this!
    • Scott Adams
      Shingles - Could It Be Related to Gluten/ Celiac

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I had the same thing happen to me at around your age, and to this day it's the most painful experience I've ever had. For me it was the right side of my head, above my ear, running from my nerves in my neck. For years before my outbreak I felt a tingling sensation shooting along the exact nerves that ended up exactly where the shingles blisters appeared. I highly recommend the two shot shingles vaccine as soon as your turn 50--I did this because I started to get the same tingling sensations in the same area, and after the vaccines I've never felt that again.  As you likely know, shingles is caused by chicken pox, which was once though of as one of those harmless childhood viruses that everyone should catch in the wild--little did they know that it can stay in your nervous system for your entire life, and cause major issues as you age.
    • trents
      Blood tests low iGA 4 years later digestive issues

      By trents · Posted

      Keep us posted.
    • Clear2me
      Gluten free nuts

      By Clear2me · Posted

      Thanks for the info. I recently moved to CA from Wyoming and in that western region the Costco and Sam's /Walmart Brands have many nuts and more products that are labeled gluten free. I was told it's because those products are packaged and processed  in different  plants. Some plants can be labeled  gluten free because the plant does not also package gluten products and they know that for example the trucks, containers equipment are not used to handle wheat, barely or Rye. The Walmart butter in the western region says gluten free but not here. Most of The Kirkland and Members Mark brands in CA say they are from Vietnam. That's not the case in Wyoming and Colorado. I've spoken to customer service at the stores here in California. They were not helpful. I check labels every time I go to the store. The stores where I am are a Sh*tshow. The Magalopoly grocery chain Vons/Safeway/Albertsons, etc. are the same. Fishers and Planters brands no longer say gluten free. It could be regional. There are nuts with sugar coatings and fruit and nut mixes at the big chains that are labeled gluten free but I don't want the fruit or sugar.  It's so difficult I am considering moving again. I thought it would be easier to find safe food in a more populated area. It's actually worse.  I was undiagnosed for most of my life but not because I didn't try to figure it out. So I have had all the complications possible. I don't have any spare organs left.  No a little gluten will hurt you. The autoimmune process continues to destroy your organs though you may not feel it. If you are getting a little all the time and as much as we try we probably all are and so the damage is happening. Now the FDA has pretty much abandoned celiacs. There are no requirements for labeling for common allergens on medications. All the generic drugs made outside the US are not regulated for common allergens and the FDA is taking the last gluten free porcine Thyroid med, NP Thyroid, off the market in 2026. I was being glutened by a generic levothyroxin. The insurance wouldn't pay for the gluten free brand any longer because the FDA took them all off their approved formulary. So now I am paying $147 out of pocket for NP Thyroid but shortly I will have no safe choice. Other people with allergies should be aware that these foreign generic pharmaceutical producers are using ground shellfish shell as pill coatings and anti-desicants. The FDA knows this but  now just waits for consumers to complain or die. The take over of Wholefoods by Amazon destroyed a very reliable source of good high quality food for people with allergies and for people who wanted good reliably organic food. Bezos thought  he could make a fortune off people who were paying alot for organic and allergen free food by substituting cheap brands from Thailand. He didn't understand who the customers were who were willing to pay more for that food and why. I went from spending hundreds to nothing because Bezo removed every single trusted brand that I was buying. Now they are closing Whole foods stores across the country. In CA, Mill Valley store (closed July 2025) and the National Blvd. store in West Los Angeles (closed October 2025). The Cupertino store will close.  In recent years I have learned to be careful and trust no one. I have been deleberately glutened in a restaurant that was my favorite (a new employee). The Chef owner was not in the kitchen that night. I've had  a metal scouring pad cut up over my food.The chain offered gluten free dishes but it only takes one crazy who thinks you're a problem as a food fadist. Good thing I always look. Good thing they didn't do that to food going to a child with a busy mom.  I give big tips and apologize for having to ask in restaurants but mental illness seem to be rampant. I've learn the hard way.          I don't buy any processed food that doesn't say gluten free.  I am a life long Catholic. I worked for the Church while at college. I don't go to Church anymore because the men at the top decided Jesus is gluten. The special hosts are gluten less not gluten free. No I can't drink wine after people with gluten in their mouth and a variety of deadly germs. I have been abandoned and excluded by my Church/Family.  Having nearly died several times, safe food is paramount. If your immune system collapses as mine did, you get sepsis. It can kill you very quickly. I spent 5 days unconscious and had to have my appendix and gall bladder removed because they were necrotic. I was 25. They didn't figure out I had celiac till I was 53. No one will take the time to tell you what can happen when your immune system gets overwhelmed from its constant fighting the gluten and just stops. It is miserable that our food is processed so carelessly. Our food in many aspects is not safe. And the merging of all the grocery chains has made it far worse. Its a disaster. Krogers also recently purchased Vitacost where I was getting the products I could no longer get at Whole Foods. Kroger is eliminating those products from Vitacost just a Bezos did from WF. I am looking for reliable and certified sources for nuts. I have lived the worst consequences of the disease and being exposed unknowingly and maliciously. Once I was diagnosed I learned way more than anyone should have to about the food industry.  I don't do gray areas. And now I dont eat out except very rarely.  I have not eaten fast food for 30 years before the celiac diagnosis. Gluten aside..... It's not food and it's not safe.  No one has got our backs. Sharing safe food sources is one thing we can do to try to be safe.        
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.