The "rule" in every bar I've ever been in is if the space is empty with no drink and no tab then it's open. If you're leaving for a short while you should order another drink so it's there when you get back. Furthermore if your existing drink is more than half empty you cover it with a napkin or coaster.
If the bartender is saving the seat, right or wrong, there's no point in calling them out on it. Your service will suffer if the point is pressed, just go elsewhere.
Last edited by jbolty; 09-29-2015 at 08:58 AM.
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