Since I’ve been a GM the restaurants that I’ve run have had to be evacuated twice.

In Kennebunkport, we started smelling gas and had to evacuate. Turned out the vents were covered with snow.

In Portland, the restaurant was actually on fire, the alarm was pulled. The restaurant was evacuated.

I was present in Kennebunkport. In Portland I was giving direction on the phone.

In both instances it was a you need to evacuate as quickly and orderly as possible. Don’t finish your drink. Don’t pay your bill. Just get out.

Both times people were angry. Both times people pushed back. Both times people ignored the warnings.

In Portland the building was literally on fire and guests continued to eat and insist they be served.

For me it reminds me of growing up in Kentucky in the 70’s. In 1977 one of the worst fires in our country’s history happened at the Beverly Hill Supper Club in northern Kentucky. Even today, I remember the months and months of news coverage.

I remember a local news article that interviewed Scott County high school teachers who had been there that night who said years of fire drills had taught them to leave when the alarms are sounded.

To this day I remember these stories. 165 people died at this fire. I am always uber aware of exits. At movies. At restaurants. At theaters.

So I’m always amazed when people push back about evacuations in real emergencies. Both times people continued to eat. To drink. Wanting to order. Etc.

It’s also extremely weird to go back into the building after said emergency.

It’s fucking weird.

In KPT dinners were still uneaten on the table. Drinks full. In Portland there were to go boxes where people realized they need to leave.

So take my advice.

If someone tells you to get out of their restaurant it usually means something is up. Don’t argue. Get the fuck out.