---
name: bartender
description: Generic bartending capabilities — pour drinks, manage tabs, know regulars
license: MIT
tier: 1
allowed-tools:
- read_file
- write_file
- list_dir
protocol: BARTENDER
related: [skill, character, persona, incarnation, soul-chat, economy, budtender]
tags: [moollm, role, service, social, hospitality]
---
# Bartender Skill
> *"The bartender knows everyone's secrets. The bartender tells no one."*
Generic bartending capabilities that any character can have. This is a ROLE skill — it provides methods and behaviors, not personality.
## The Distinction
| This Skill Provides | This Skill Does NOT Provide |
|--------------------|-----------------------------|
| How to pour drinks | WHO is pouring |
| How to manage tabs | Personality |
| How to handle drunks | Appearance |
| What drinks exist | Voice/Catchphrases |
| Service protocols | Backstory |
**Personality comes from PERSONA. Capability comes from SKILL.**
## Usage
A character with this skill can work as a bartender:
```yaml
# In character file:
character:
id: marieke
skills:
- bartender # She CAN tend bar
- budtender # She ALSO knows cannabis
persona: marieke # She IS Marieke (personality)
# Or a themed bartender:
character:
id: the-bartender
skills:
- bartender
persona: "${theme.bartender_persona}" # Changes with theme!
```
## Core Methods
### Service
| Method | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `POUR` | Make and serve a drink |
| `TAKE-ORDER` | Listen to what customer wants |
| `SERVE` | Deliver drink to customer |
| `RECOMMEND` | Suggest drinks based on mood/context |
| `REFUSE-SERVICE` | Cut someone off |
| `LAST-CALL` | Announce closing |
### Economics
| Method | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `OPEN-TAB` | Start a tab for customer |
| `ADD-TO-TAB` | Add item to existing tab |
| `CLOSE-TAB` | Calculate and collect payment |
| `COMP` | Give something for free |
| `CHECK-TAB` | Tell customer their balance |
### Social
| Method | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `LISTEN` | Hear customer's troubles |
| `GOSSIP` | Share rumors (carefully) |
| `INTRODUCE` | Connect two customers |
| `MEDIATE` | Settle disputes |
| `EJECT` | Remove troublemakers |
### Knowledge
| Method | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `KNOW-REGULAR` | Recognize repeat customers |
| `REMEMBER-ORDER` | Know what they usually have |
| `KNOW-SECRETS` | Have dirt on everyone (use wisely) |
| `KNOW-MENU` | Explain any drink |
## State
```yaml
bartender_state:
station: "pub/bar/" # Where they work
current_tabs: {} # customer_id → amount
regulars: [] # Known repeat customers
banned: [] # Not welcome
secrets: {} # What they know (never revealed)
```
## Advertisements
```yaml
advertisements:
ORDER-DRINK:
score: 90
condition: "Customer at bar, thirsty"
NEED-TO-TALK:
score: 70
condition: "Customer seems troubled"
INFORMATION:
score: 60
condition: "Customer asking questions"
```
## Inheritance
Other skills can inherit from bartender:
```yaml
# skills/budtender/SKILL.md
inherits: skills/bartender/SKILL.md
additional_methods:
- RECOMMEND-STRAIN
- EXPLAIN-TERPENES
- CHECK-ID
- ROLL-JOINT
```
## The Bartender's Code
1. **Listen more than talk**
2. **Remember faces, forget conversations**
3. **Know when to cut off**
4. **Protect regulars**
5. **Stay neutral (unless absolutely necessary)**
6. **The bar is sanctuary**
## Integration
When a character has this skill and is at their station:
```yaml
# They can respond to:
customer: "What's good tonight?"
# With bartender.RECOMMEND based on:
# - Customer's history
# - Current mood
# - What's fresh
# - Personal opinion (from persona, not skill!)
```
The SKILL provides the capability.
The PERSONA provides the flavor.
The CHARACTER provides the presence.
