Mad Cow Tavern — Restaurant in Queensland

Hi Mad Cow team,

I Just wanted to flag a curious experience I had at your bar tonight— one that managed to be frustrating, mildly insulting, and, frankly, a bit of a masterclass in how not to handle basic science. I ordered 5 shots of Don Julio Reposado. I asked for them to be shaken over ice — a common and reasonable request, not an occult ritual.

The bartender poured them into five plastic shot glasses (standard), but knowing how this process works, I asked if she could pour the remaining liquid from the shaker into another glass. This wasn’t a demand for extra alcohol — just recognition of the laws of physics.

She seemed confused. Her response? “You paid for five shots, and you got five shots.” I tried to explain the concept of dilution and volume increase from melted ice — you know, things high school science covers — but she wasn’t interested. Instead, she threatened to “get the manager,” at which point I walked away to avoid escalating the situation.

Then, ironically, the bartender poured the leftover liquid into a glass behind the bar, presumably to hide it like it was contraband tequila, with a confused expression that said: "Oh no, the science is science-ing." The manager eventually asked for my side of the story. I explained it calmly, hoping for a flicker of understanding. What I got instead was another rude round of “You paid for five shots, and you got five shots” — like some sort of hospitality-themed Groundhog Day.

Just so we’re all on the same page, here’s a brief refresher for anyone playing along:

Scientific Explanation (aka, “Not Magic”) When you shake 150 ml of tequila (5 shots) over ice: Melting of Ice Shaking causes heat exchange between the tequila and the ice. Some of the ice melts. The melted water mixes with the tequila, increasing the volume. Dilution Happens You still have the same amount of alcohol, but you now have more liquid. So yes, you can fill 6 or even 7 glasses, but they’ll be diluted. It’s not a scam. It’s not a trick. It’s not me trying to hustle the bar for a free half-shot of mystery juice. It’s just thermodynamics and mass conservation at work.

The manager didn’t get it. Security was called. My colleagues even tried explaining but alas, security were still called. And — in a delightful twist — even the security guard tried to explain how dilution works.You know things have gone sideways when the bouncer is the one leading the STEM lesson.

Ultimately, I left without fuss. I had about 20–30 mates at the venue who are all pieces and parts of our wonderful super car teams— who, I might add, were keeping your bar busy. But due to “safe precinct rules,” I was told that since I was kicked out of Mad Cow, I couldn’t enter any venue. So I became the sacrificial lamb for science and well….stupidity.

No drama llama— I went home, and told my friends to stay and enjoy their night.

But let's just say, being ejected for explaining a common bar practice to a a supposed trained bar staff AND their manager, doesn’t exactly scream “hospitality excellence.”

I’d recommend reviewing the CCTV footage — because maths, unlike opinions, doesn’t lie. If your bartender really did “overpour” as later claimed, that’s a licensing issue — and one I’m sure OLGR wouldn’t love to hear about. If she didn’t overpour, then the problem is training — or a lack of it.

So perhaps the problem isn’t with patrons like me, but with bar staff, and most definitely management.

This doesn’t need to be a big deal. I’m happy to chalk it up as a one-off encounter with some folks who need a bit more education in both customer service and basic fluid dynamics. But if this kind of treatment is normal, then I’m more than happy to escalate it via the appropriate channels.

I look forward to hearing from you soon. Warm regards, (and colder drinks next...

100% do not recommend!!! some servers are absolutely rude and racist! have no respect what's so ever for customers. I was in the middle of the dance floor with all my friends when I was given a warning by security because apparently I was trying to start a fight?! I was yelled and sworn at for no reason at all by the short blonde lady that was serving my friend and I. She made me pay for the 3 FREE DRINKS you usually get when you go madcow, charged me $13ea for a cup of Rum n Coke, she then began to belittle my friend whom was just standing there telling her to move away because she was starting trouble?! she then called security saying I had threatened her when all I said was "the drinks should be free because I have you the card". The bald security man was literally pulling my arm and didn't tell me why he was pulling me out the door and then he went back in to pull my friend out also. Very disgusting these workers. some workers however are very lovely and respectful but these two were absolutely disgusting! Hope someday they grow some form of respect for...

I had one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had at a venue. I was kicked out for something I did not do, with no explanation or fair treatment. I had just purchased drinks moments before, only to be harassed and removed without cause.

Not only was this humiliating and completely unjustified, but I was also left out of pocket for the drinks I had bought and was not allowed to consume. This is unacceptable.

I expect to be reimbursed for the cost of the drinks I purchased before being ejected, as well as a sincere apology for the harassment I endured. Customers should be treated with respect and fairness, and this kind of behaviour is damaging not only to individuals but also to the reputation of the venue.

Until this is addressed, I cannot recommend Mad Cow Tavern to anyone looking for a fair and safe night out...