Rhiannon Ingle
Bartenders have revealed what actually happens when you ask for an 'Angel Shot' at a bar, as it’s not a real drink.
Those who work behind bars tend to have a whole arsenal of stories about the type of chaos they deal with.
From drunken hen parties and wild work do's all the way through to jam-packed gigs and awkward first dates - it's clear bartenders have stacks of experience when it comes to what goes down on a night out.
However, sometimes the type of challenges such hospitality staff are faced with goes beyond just a matter of smashed glass and mouthy customers and the existence of the 'Angel Shot' proves exactly that.
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Similar to the 'Ask for Angela' national scheme, an Angel Shot is a code term used by customers to signal to bartenders that they are in an unsafe situation.
It's recently become quite the talking point on TikTok with many creators posting re-enactment videos of what ordering an Angel Shot may look like.
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However, this sparked backlash over concerns that the now publicised code term may have lost its impact given that the whole point of it is to be able to ask for help in a discreet way.
One bartender revealed on Reddit that not only has she had customers order an Angel Shot but she's also had friends order one at other bars.
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Stating that the code term was 'well-known in the bar industry', they added: "Some bars even put signs in the bathroom stalls indicating this for customers so that they can be aware as many customers are not aware of this code."
They went on to explain: "Of course, sometimes customers do not need to use this code to get the point across that they are dealing with a stalker or creep: sometimes we as bartenders can see it and can intervene or the customer will be straightforward and explicitly tell us / ask for help without using the Angel Shot request."
However, in some instances, the customer does use the code term 'attempting to not get hurt and does not know how to deescalate the situation or cannot get away and is afraid' which, according to the bartender, means that the Angel Shot request 'does serve a purpose'.
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While, for the most part, the request has 'never turned badly', there was one instance when it 'almost went wrong'.
The bartender was working in an event space with over 5,000 people.
They continued: "I had this request from a young woman who was a bit drunk and the guy was right there next to her and he KNEW what an Angel Shot was.
"He got really mad, tried to explain the whole situation away so that I did not react but I acted like I thought she had said Angels Envy shot and told her that she should follow me to the other bar to get it as I did not have it at my bar."
She then left her fellow bartender there and told the girl to 'follow her' to the other bar which was right next to the security tent.
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"The girl followed me into the security tent but the guy took off. She was terrified but security handled it and all was good," they assured.
Unfortunately, it seems like not everyone takes the code word seriously however with another bartender also revealing: "I had a customer order it once, as we had signs up in the women’s bathroom.
"I took it very seriously and then she just laughed and said she wanted to see what I would do when she asked for it. Colour me not impressed."