What are People Stealing From Montreal Bars?

Last February we ran a feature on the crazy shit people steal from Montreal restaurants. The list ranged from pepper mills, vintage oyster forks and computers to a Michael Jackson doll and novelty urinal mats. For real.

Now, on the occasion of Cocktail Week, it's time for bartenders to divulge what customers thieve most. Just another reminder that this is why we can't have nice things.

Graham Warner (Le Mal Nécessaire): Someone stole our potted pineapple plant a few weeks ago.

Eddy Germain (Le LAB, Comptoir à Cocktails): Electronic candle.

I don't miss customer service.

Philippe-A. Piette (former bartender): I had a special hate for the customers who thought the flowers on the table were meant to either destroy or put in their hair. The flowers don't grow in this little jar. We pay someone to bring them in here every week. Even thought of creating a $5 "destroyed flower" item in the POS to tackle onto people's bill, but of course you can't do that. I don't miss customer service.

Valerian Roy (Le Pourvoyeur): On s'est fait volé la lettre H en métal pour indiquer la toilette des hommes, vendredi dernier. Et c'est une fille la coupable, tout a été filmé par nos caméras de surveillance.

And finally, this one time, some girl stole our busboy's virginity.

Murphee Karente (Ambassadeur de la marque Quartz at Domaine Pinnacle): At Les Incorruptibles people often stole glassware. Once this guy stole his barbill. Ran off while he was smoking. He was in for about $30 but when we caught up with him and he gave us $60. And finally, this one time, some girl stole our busboy's virginity.

Nicolas Villalon (Brugal National Brand Ambassador): I hear a licensed venue in Montreal had its ice sculpture stolen *cough, cough*.

Jay Lawson (N sur Mackay): The bell at Bar Inc. got stolen a few weeks ago but they found the guys with it at Chez Baptiste.

Plus countless bottles of bitters

Tony Galdes (B1): I remember a huge Jack Daniel's carpet (like, 8'x8') and an Absinthe metal poster (which had 4 screws holding it in the wall) that both got stolen during my time at the Lab. Plus countless bottles of bitters, of course.

Marie-Ève Bourassa (author, Élixirs: une petite histoire illustrée des cocktails): While I was working with Charles Landry (now at Midway), a guy tried to steal a keg of beer from the bar. He didn't go far, though. And another one, another night, did grab one of our bottles, with success: but it was one of simple syrup.

Charles Landry: Ha ha ha je me rappel de ça !! Méchant hangover boire un 26oz de simple syrup.

We used to have little brass monkey business cards holders at the bar. They didn't last two weeks.

Sam Dalcourt (former bartender, Reserve Brands Ambassador at Wirtz Beverage Canada and Reserve Brands Ambassador at Diageo): We used to have little brass monkey business cards holders at the bar. They didn't last two weeks.