It’s More Than Just Making Drinks

With the huge influence of social media, often it seems as if the image of a bartender involves creating, crafting and designing these intricate and unique drinks. It may be the most glamorous part of the profession, it is often a very small portion of the job itself. My job is focused on the Guest first and foremost. Making sure they are having an enjoyable experience and hopefully a memorable one. The tool and instrument that is key to me being successful in my job are a pair of listening ears.

I’m Not Perfect

I admit, I don’t know how to make every single cocktail and every so often you will see me reaching for the book looking up how to make something that I should probably know. However you can always teach recipes and how to build and craft certain drinks. Teaching someone how to listen and be hospitable is a much harder task. So while I’ll often be making drinks for guest sitting in the dining room with a line of drink tickets, those are all mechanical and comes easily with time just spent in the “well”.

Leaving A Lasting Impression

The moments that makes my job memorable to me and the guest are the times when I’m able to interact, listen, and help orchestrate a person’s experience inside the restaurant or outside of it. I rarely remember the times I had an amazing cocktail that was delicious and perfectly balanced. I remember the moments and times I’ve shared with friends that are sitting at the bar with me. The times when the bartender seem to have become my friend. Vice versa I try to approach it the same way when I am behind the bar. I remember the times I have offered advice to a guest, or even received advice. Sometimes life is a little grim and I have to console and just listen. Be someone they can lean on.

Just The Start

The drinks are not the end game of my job, they are just the start. A medium to allow friends, family, even strangers, and myself, to converse and connect.