Gus, the beloved owner of Stardrop Saloon in Pelican Town, is among the most endearing personalities in the popular farming simulation game, Stardew Valley. Known for his warm-hearted nature, Gus has formed friendships with all the townsfolk, including the player character.
However, players must invest time and effort to develop a deeper connection with Gus. Each villager in Stardew Valley has unique preferences regarding gifts, along with their personal goals and concerns. By providing thoughtful presents or assisting Gus with the ingredients needed for his culinary creations, players can enhance their friendship and enjoy various rewards.
Updated December 18, 2024, by Demaris Oxman: With the launch of Stardew Valley’s 1.6 update, players across all platforms are eager to explore new features! This update introduces intriguing additions such as new festivals and a mastery system, alongside minor adjustments, including shifts in villagers’ gift preferences. This guide has been refreshed to deliver the latest techniques for befriending Gus in version 1.6.
Gift Guide
Demonstrating generosity to Gus can be as simple as visiting him with a gift and engaging in conversation. You can find him at his saloon whenever it is open. Remember that gifts given on his birthday, which falls on Summer 8, will have an amplified impact, contributing 8 times the usual friendship points.
Loved Gifts
The following gifts are Gus’s top choices and will significantly increase your friendship by 80 points. Keep these items handy as you work to win him over:
- Cooked dishes:
, 
, 
- All universal loves
Liked Gifts
When it’s challenging to find Loved Gifts—especially early in the game—consider these options instead. They will boost your friendship with Gus by 45 points:
- All universal likes, excluding
(e.g., cooked dishes, artisan goods, vegetables, flowers)
Disliked & Hated Gifts
Avoid the following items, as they will lead to a decrease in friendship when given to Gus. While Disliked items won’t harm your relationship as much as Hated ones, it’s best to sidestep any negative interactions:
- All universal dislikes (e.g., fish, building materials, geodes, seeds)
- All universal hates (e.g., trash, fossils, monster loot)
Interactions & Effects On Friendship
Quests
- Fish Stew – On Winter 26, Gus will send a letter asking for an albacore to prepare a fish stew. Completing this request rewards players with 400g and increases friendship by one heart.
- Wanted: Lobster – On Fall 6 of Year 2, Gus will request a lobster for a bisque, similarly rewarding players with 500g and an increase of one friendship heart.
- Exotic Spirits – Looking to brighten the chilly winter, Gus will ask for a coconut on Winter 19 of Year 2 to concoct tropical drinks, granting one friendship heart and 600g.
- “Help Wanted”Objectives – Gus may post requests on the bulletin board outside Pierre’s, offering 150 friendship points for fulfilling these tasks.
Movie Theater
Integration with the movie theater becomes available after a specific point in the game, where players can invite Gus to enjoy a film. The type of movie and snacks chosen can either enhance or diminish friendship levels with him. Here’s what Gus prefers:
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Movies |
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|---|---|
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Love |
|
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Like |
|
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Dislike |
Mystery |
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Concessions |
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|---|---|
|
Love |
|
|
Like |
|
|
Dislike |
All others |
Heart Event
Upon reaching four hearts with Gus, players can enter his saloon during business hours, provided that Pam is at two hearts with the player as well. During this heart event, Gus will express his concerns over the financial struggles of the saloon, particularly not wanting to ask Pam to settle her tab due to their friendship.
Players can then converse with Pam to persuade her to repay her debt. Opting for a firmer approach may upset Gus, whereas a gentler suggestion can lead to Pam paying her bill, thus slightly boosting your friendship with Gus.
Friendship Perks
Building a friendship with Gus offers the exciting advantage of receiving nutritious meals through the mail. This becomes invaluable early in the game when players are prone to fatigue. As friendship levels rise, so does Gus’s propensity for keeping you well-fed.
Furthermore, at certain friendship milestones, Gus shares his culinary expertise with players, providing them with recipes:
- Salmon Dinner – Received at three hearts, restoring 125 Energy and 56 Health.
- Cranberry Sauce – Received at seven hearts, replicating the same benefits while granting +1 Mining.
Upon reaching five hearts, Gus will visit the player’s farm to express his sentiment of friendship and reward the player with a mini jukebox, allowing you to enjoy your favorite tunes from the game as you farm.
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