We frequently close down a local restaurant/bar with our friends. We tell the server to make sure they come to us if they need the table on crowded nights in the restaurant, or we'll eat in the bar. But they never have in 10 years asked us to give up a table. Why? Because we're ordering, tipping, and returning again in a few weeks. We also tell them to be sure to come to us if they hit end-of-shift so we can tip them before they go home.
When you go to a restaurant and they tell you the wait will be 10 minutes or an hour, its then up to you to decide if you want to wait or not. If you don't feel like waiting, go somewhere else. We've waited for long periods if we feel its worth it, and we've left if we feel its not.
Now if we notice there's a crowd waiting and we're done eating and drinking, that's different. We'll finish our meal in the restaurant and move to the bar or go to another bar or someone's house to continue the evening.
