decorate the mahogany

The act of paying for drinks or tipping the bartender. Refers to the mahogany wood with which many bar tops are made.

(The bartender may give this not so subtle hint if you leave a stingy tip)

1. "Hay Joe, its Wednesday, your turn to decorate the mahogany...Anther round please"


2. Patron: (Puts a quarter down after ordering 5 drinks)

Bartender: "That 2 bits is better off in your pocket than mine, you gotta decorate the mahogany"

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decorate the mahogany

It's your turn to buy a round of drinks.

Hey buddy is it not time for you to decorate the mahogany?

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Decorating Mahogany

Old Brit term for parking yourself at a bar, the reference implying that you and your pub-mates become decorations on the bar, which are often built with a slab of mahogany wood.

Well, it's beer-o-clock, let's go decorating mahogany!