David Elrod works as a software engineer. However, he spends several nights a weeks at the Crystal Saloon, Juneau where he fixes the vintage pinball machines upstairs.
Although he’s been tending the bar for 16 years, he claims that this month’s incident was his first encounter with a drinker.
He met four men who he had never seen before and asked him to rent a table at the pool table. In return for a set pool balls, they gave their IDs. However, they left the ball on the counter and began using a table that was already in use. Elrod stated that the person playing at the table was a regular and was outside smoking.
The men became angry when Elrod asked them to use a vacant one. Elrod asked them to leave, and they turned to grab their IDs.
He said, “And right there, I just felt that the glass just whizzed past my head.”
Elrod’s story may just be one example of a larger trend toward harassment against service workers that may have begun early in the pandemic.
Elrod stated that there has been an increase in bad behavior almost everywhere he goes.
Elrod was born in Juneau, but he has lived outside the town ever since. Elrod moved from San Francisco to Juneau last year. There, he also worked in bars.
Elrod stated that he didn’t sign up for glasses being thrown at his head. “But I know that I signed up to work with people who aren’t always in their best mental state. It’s hard to know what consolation it’s supposed give me.
Although harassment is increasing in bartenders’ workplaces, Elrod stated that Juneau’s women are more likely to be harassed.
Morgan Gaither has been bartending over a decade, a lot of it in Juneau. She is a bartender at Squirez in Auke Bay, and she manages the Alaskan Hotel & Bar.
She is a straight-talking woman who says that her no-nonsense attitude protects her. However, she has heard about harassment from women she works with.
span style=”font weight: 400 ” She said that one thing I dislike is when my female bartenders who are smaller, sweeter, or quieter than me give feedback to me.
Gaither stated that people aren’t as worried about the consequences these days as they were in years past.
She said that sometimes people seem out of control lately. “And then they don’t apologize for it later or sober .”
She kicks out violent people, depending on the severity of the behavior.
She stated that she does not like having to enforce bans and kick people out.
span style=”font weight: 400 It is a balance for a small town. Gaither stated that you don’t want people feeling excluded or shamed. Gaither said, “If they are having a difficult time or have a mental illness or another reason, then that’s okay. However, everyone else must be safe .”
Gaither stated that she is always worried about being retaliated against. Juneau police advised Gaither to report verbal abuses she received in bars or on the streets.
Juneau police responded immediately to the attack on Crystal Saloon. According to court records, the individual who threw glass was charged with assault and property damages. According to a court order, he is not permitted to visit the Crystal Saloon or be near Elrod. He also cannot drink alcohol or go to any place that sells alcohol.
Lt. Krag Campbell, Juneau Police Department, said that they don’t have any long-term data to determine if there has been a trend in violence in the past two years. However, Juneau service workers don’t require a report to feel like the situation has changed.
Elrod stated that he has been more anxious about going to work in the past year since being attacked.
Gaither stated that her staff set up a Facebook group to allow Juneau bartenders to discuss problematic patrons. She hopes that this will make the industry safer for everyone.
