When Bar Karma Strikes Back: How One Bartender Gave His Ex-Friends a Taste of Petty Revenge
Ever felt like you were the secret sauce behind someone else’s success, only to get tossed aside like last night’s garnishes? Meet u/sinfullykay, a seasoned bartender who built a bar from the ground up for some “friends”—only to be paid in mistreatment, lies, and IOUs. But when life hands you lemons, sometimes you just have to flick the lights off on your way out.
This is the story of one bartender’s epic, high-tech, and oh-so-petty revenge—proving that sometimes, payback really is a dish best served… in the dark.
How to Build a Bar (and Burn a Bridge)
Let’s set the scene: Jared, a clueless would-be bar owner, dreams of buying and rebranding a music venue. He turns to our hero, u/sinfullykay, a bartender with seven years of experience, who basically becomes the architect of Jared’s new venture. We’re talking everything from designing the POS system to hiring staff, ordering inventory, and, crucially, setting up the lighting and AV systems. The owners? Well, they have “never been in the service industry and did not know a single thing about shit.” (Kay’s words, not mine.)
But instead of gratitude, Kay’s rewarded with late paychecks, disrespect, and a slew of nasty rumors. They owed him money, trashed his reputation, and, worst of all, failed to appreciate the wizard behind the bar curtain.
It’s All Fun and Games Until Someone Forgets to Change the Password
Here’s where it gets deliciously petty. After being tossed aside, Kay discovers he still has remote access to the bar’s lighting system through an old app on his phone—a digital skeleton key to the entire bar’s ambiance. The owners (in true rookie fashion) never thought to disable his access or redo the setup.
So, what’s a wronged bartender to do? Well, on a quiet night, Kay starts flickering the bar’s lights from the comfort of his couch. Lights on. Lights off. Repeat. Imagine the confusion—patrons mid-sip, staff scratching their heads, owners running around like caffeinated chickens. In their panic, they even shut off the power and reset the breakers, only for the mysterious light show to resume.
But Kay doesn’t just stop there. He programs the lights to automatically shut off every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at midnight—prime party hours. The dance room upstairs? That still gets light (he’s not a monster), but the main bar plunges into darkness, leaving the owners and their guests literally and figuratively in the dark.
The Art of Petty Revenge (and Its Lessons)
Let’s be honest—this isn’t just about flickering lights. It’s about reclaiming a little bit of dignity after being used, unappreciated, and tossed aside. There’s something universally satisfying about seeing someone get a taste of their own medicine, especially when it’s served with a garnish of technical prowess.
This story also highlights a few classic business blunders: - Don’t burn bridges with the person who built them. Kay created the infrastructure that made the bar run. Treating him poorly was both bad business and bad karma. - Change your passwords (and your locks). Leaving former employees with admin access is a recipe for disaster—or at least, for a few dark Friday nights. - Respect the people who know how things work. Whether it’s your IT person, bartender, or janitor, every business runs on the knowledge and goodwill of its people.
Why We Love a Good Petty Revenge
Petty revenge stories resonate because they’re relatable. We’ve all felt unfairly treated at some point and dreamed of a harmless, poetic comeback. Kay’s tale scratches that itch—no real harm done, but just enough chaos to keep things interesting (and to teach a lesson).
Plus, there’s a certain artistry in a revenge that’s clever, non-destructive, and just anonymous enough to keep the guilty parties guessing for a while. It’s the kind of story you tell your friends over drinks—ideally in a well-lit bar.
What Would You Do?
Have you ever had an epic (or even tiny) moment of petty revenge? Or maybe you’ve worked for folks who took your hard work for granted? Share your stories in the comments—let’s keep the conversation (and the lights) going!
And if you’re ever tempted to mistreat the person who set up your tech, remember: they just might have the power to leave you in the dark.
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Original Reddit Post: Old friends f’d me over after I essentially created their buisness