Ep 7. Raiding the Bar

In Mystery Diners season 1 episode 7 "Raiding the Bar," the Mystery Diners team is called in to investigate a bar owner who suspects his bartender is giving away free drinks to customers in exchange for tips. The team goes undercover with hidden cameras to observe the night's events and identify any unlawful behavior.

The bar owner, Johnny, is worried that his bartenders are stealing from him. He has noticed that his inventory is consistently short, and the amount of money earned per night is not matching up to the amount of alcohol being served. To get to the bottom of the issue, he calls in the Mystery Diners team to investigate.

The Mystery Diners team decides to go undercover as customers to observe the bartender's behavior closely. They set up hidden cameras around the bar and observe the night's events from a safe distance. The team notes that the patrons are ordering drinks and providing tips, but something seems off. There are no receipts or cash registers in sight, and the bartender appears to be putting the tips directly into his pocket without counting them.

As the night goes on, a group of regulars arrives, and one of them orders a drink that is not on the menu. The bartender tells the customer that he can make it for him, but he will have to pay extra for it. The customer agrees and gives the bartender a $20 bill. The team notes that the bartender does not put the money in the cash register and instead puts it directly into his pocket. They also observe that he does not make the drink as requested and instead pours a regular drink from the tap.

Over the course of the night, the Mystery Diners team observes the bartender giving away several free drinks to customers in exchange for tips. They also note that he is stealing alcohol from the inventory and keeping the money for himself. The team confronts the bartender in the back room and questions him about his behavior. The bartender denies any wrongdoing and says that he was just trying to provide good customer service.

The team shows the bartender the footage of his illegal behavior, and he admits to his wrongdoing. He apologizes to Johnny and promises to change his ways. Johnny is shocked at what he sees and is disappointed in his bartender's behavior. He thanks the Mystery Diners team for helping him identify the issue and vows to keep a closer eye on his employees in the future.

In the end, Johnny decides to let the bartender go and hire a new staff member who will be more trustworthy and follow the rules. The Mystery Diners team is satisfied with the outcome and glad that they were able to help Johnny identify the issue with his bar. They leave with the satisfaction of knowing that they have helped another business owner keep his business running smoothly and avoid major losses in the future.

Overall, Mystery Diners season 1 episode 7 "Raiding the Bar" is a thrilling investigation into the illegal activities of a bartender at a local bar. It is a reminder of the importance of good hiring practices and keeping an eye on employees to avoid losses and unlawful behavior. The episode serves as a cautionary tale for business owners to be vigilant and take action if they suspect any illegal activities are taking place in their establishments.