Bring your Glass Back to the Bar

This project is a visual representation of some anecdotes and observations from my time working behind a bar in Manchester city centre and all the things it taught me. Not just about changing barrels or making the perfect baby Guinness - but about the people who frequent our lovely British pubs.

The opening image Gone for a smoke is a reconstruction of the table of a very trusting young couple who briefly deserted their table (and belongings) while they had a cigarette outside.

One night a man came to the bar, ordered a double Jack Daniels and Coke and specified he wanted the drink with four ice cubes. When he got his drink he dunked his full hand into the cup, removed the ice cubes and left, leaving only the ice cubes and

One night a man came to the bar, ordered a double Jack Daniels and Coke and specified he wanted the drink with four ice cubes. When he got his drink he dunked his full hand into the cup, removed the ice cubes and left, leaving only the ice cubes and a puddle of whisky and coke on the bar. This image is called “four ice cubes please”.

What was left behind - Everything that I found cleaning up one night after everybody had left: "What was left behind" An empty crisp packet, a damp beer mat, one bag of drugs, a chippy fork, a hair grip, the bar lighter, a bobble, an elfbar, f

What was left behind - Everything that I found cleaning up one night after everybody had left: "What was left behind" An empty crisp packet, a damp beer mat, one bag of drugs, a chippy fork, a hair grip, the bar lighter, a bobble, an elfbar, filters, peanuts and crisps, a bottle top, cigarette papers and 42p.

This image is inspired by one of the rudest customers I can remember - she was rude, demanding and there wasn't a please or thank you uttered by her. I'd lost my patience long before she even ordered her drink. Say when is an image of how I wanted

This image is inspired by one of the rudest customers I can remember - she was rude, demanding and there wasn't a please or thank you uttered by her. I'd lost my patience long before she even ordered her drink. Say when is an image of how I wanted to serve the wine to her, with soda water overflowing and (hopefully) dripping on her expensive open-toed shoes.

Most customers don’t suck though - in fact some are lovely. “Take no shit ever xxx” is a recreation of a message left on the ladies toilet mirror.

Most customers don’t suck though - in fact some are lovely. “Take no shit ever xxx” is a recreation of a message left on the ladies toilet mirror.

It’s a good job it’s 7 years bad luck for smashing mirrors and not glasses, otherwise the people of Manchester would be in for some pretty bad luck. This image is simply named: Smashed Glass

It’s a good job it’s 7 years bad luck for smashing mirrors and not glasses, otherwise the people of Manchester would be in for some pretty bad luck. This image is simply named: Smashed Glass

Just an observation - people waste so much beer.

Just an observation - people waste so much beer.

This final image is called All the Beer - an interesting texture shot that marries two things that have taken a lot of my time this year: Serving (+drinking) beer and Photography.

This final image is called All the Beer - an interesting texture shot that marries two things that have taken a lot of my time this year: Serving (+drinking) beer and Photography.