Stardew Valley: How to befriend Gus

Owner of Pelican Town's Stardrop Saloon, Gus he is one of the most lovable characters of all Stardew Valley. Good-natured and jovial, Gus is a friend to everyone in town, including the player character.

Of course, players still have some work to do before Gus becomes a close confidant. Like all the villagers in the town, Gus has his own interests and concerns, his own goals and concerns. By offering him some thoughtful gifts or helping him gather ingredients for new recipes, farmers can gain his favor – and reap all the benefits.

Updated December 18, 2024 by Demaris Oxman: Stardew ValleyUpdate 1.6 is available for players on all platforms and farming sims fans can't wait to see what it brings to the table. Among the many exciting additions, such as new festivals and a championship system, a few minor tweaks have also been made, including some changes to villagers' gift preferences. One of these villagers is Gus, the jovial owner of the Stardrop Saloon. This guide has been updated with more tips on how to befriend him, as well as updated information since version 1.6.

Gift Guide

Players can show their generosity to Gus by stopping by to offer a gift and have a quick chat. Find him in his salon whenever it's open. Additionally, keep in mind that gifts dedicated to his birthday, the 8th, count 8x the usual friendship effect.

Loved gifts

As the best option for Gus, each of these gifts will awaken a friendship with him 80 points. Keep these items handy when trying to get it.

Favorite gifts

When beloved gifts are hard to come by (and Gus's often are early in the game), these are also good options. Each increases the friendship 45 points.

Unloved and hated gifts

Any of the following will reduce friendship when given to Gus. Although the Disliked gifts aren't as bad as the Hated ones, it's best to avoid the drop in friendship points, so don't give them to Gus.

Interactions and effects on friendships

Tasks

• fish stew – On the 26th of winter, Gus sends a letter to the player asking them to catch him winged for fish stew. Farmers who do so will receive a 400g friendship boost one heart.
• Wanted: Lobster – In the fall of Year 6 2, Gus demands a lobster whip the bisque. As before, this will strengthen the friendship one heartas well as rewarding players 500g.
• Exotic spirits – Gus hopes to bring some sunshine to Stardew Valley's cold winter. On the 19th of winter in year 2, he asks oa coconut to make tropical drinks in the Saloon. Players reap the rewards one friendly heart and 600 g.
• “Help Wanted” Objectives – Like any other villager, Gus can post a bulletin outside of Pierre's and ask for a random item. Players will receive 150 friendship points for handling these requests.

Cinema

Players can take Gus to the cinema anytime after he becomes available. Depending on which movie they see and the concessions they choose, they can increase or decrease their friendship with Gus. Gus' preferences for cinema include:

A heart event

On four heartsplayers can enter Gus's salon during opening hours. (Note that Pam must also have two hearts with the player.) Gus admits that the saloon is in financial trouble; however, she is reluctant to ask Pam to pay her since the two are good friends.

The player then talks to Pam to convince her to pay. The choice of harsher dialogue angers Gus; however, a more subtle option makes Pam pay her debt and increase her friendship with Gus slightly.

The benefits of friendship

Gus's friends can look forward to the reception tasty dishes in the post office. These are especially useful at the beginning of the game when players can quickly run out of energy. The higher the player's friendship with Gus, the more likely he is to help feed them.

At certain friendship levels, Gus will even share his expert recipes with the player:

• Salmon Dinner – Sent in three hearts This dish is restorative 125 Energy and 56 Hello.
• Cranberry Sauce – Sent in seven hearts. Not only does it provide the same restorative properties as above, but it also provides +1 Mining.

Once players reach five hearts with Gus, he will come to the player's farm and tell them that he has come to consider them a friend. He then presents them with a mini jukeboxwhich allows farmers to play their favorite tunes from the game's soundtrack while working on the farm.