Ah, bar tabs, an interesting use case for Bitcoin. While decentralized digital currencies provide a plethora of advantages when it comes to transactions, it is important to consider the issue of accountability, particularly when it comes to inebriated individuals.

One approach you may want to consider is the use of multi-signature addresses. Essentially, a multi-signature address is a Bitcoin address that can only be accessed by multiple individuals who have each provided their private key. This approach would allow for multiple parties to hold each other accountable when settling up bar tabs.

For example, you could set up a multi-signature address between the bar and the customer, with a third-party mediator holding one of the private keys. When a customer opens a tab, they would provide one of their private keys to the bar, and the mediator would hold the other private key. When it comes time to settle up, both parties would need to provide their private keys in order to access the funds in the multi-signature address. This approach would allow for accountability from all parties involved, creating a safer and more reliable system for settling bar tabs.

Another option to consider is using Lightning Network payments, which are super-fast and effectively free. Customers can make a small deposit at the beginning of the night, and use those funds to make payments throughout the night. Once they are ready to settle up, they can simply transfer any remaining funds back to their wallet. This approach minimizes the need for intermediaries and provides instant verification without needing a third-party to confirm the transaction.