I think it is definitely up to the restaurant to confirm that the card is valid before handing over the booze. This would well be a clerical error by the waiting staff (mixing up a digit or two) that has left the diners with a bill to pay.Well unless the restaurant took the number of the person who rang and could have called them back for a different card for payment, I don't think they could have done anything else. And you can't really go back to your friend and say 'by the way, your card didn't work, you owe me €19' - embarrassing for both. I'm sure they only meant well. At least it wasn't more.
I would concur with the last 2 posters. The OP had no liability for the drinks ordered by this mysterious person on the phone. Indeed I find it strange that someone would do such a thing.
OP should have stood his ground and refused to pay.
I'd be moving on to a different restaurant for the next celebration.At that stage I felt it better to move on.
In fact the owner actually said to me that he was giving great value in his meal prices and did I expect him to buy me drink as well. .
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