Because I would never assume someone would willingly read a novella at one time online, we have decided to publish this piece in two parts. In the course of working on this piece, it became apparent that there is quite a bit to share on the topic. Not one of those snarky what-the-bartender-thinks-of-the-rest-of-the-world clickbait articles, but a genuine run down of what I do each day. Bartending gives me the greatest sense of accomplishment when I get it right.īut what is getting it right? What is this vocation called bartending? When Bartender Atlas asked me to provide a few good words on bartending, I figured that a little insight into the life and work of a career bartender might be useful. It is the vocation that challenges and feeds me, the one that puts me in contact with people I respect and admire as well as people with goals and struggles similar to my own. I don’t bartend on the weekends for extra cash, I don’t bartend until something better comes along, I don’t bartend because I’m neglecting the career I should be chasing, I don’t bartend because it is fashionable, I don’t bartend because I can’t do anything else-I bartend because bartending is my calling. And the reason why is directly related to my dedication to making that drink happen for others. Not any of these but a real drink, made for me while I am seated.

I was lost in thought trying to remember the last time I had a drink like this, one that wasn’t part of a promotional event or a recipe being tweaked for the new menu, one that my team wasn’t preparing batches in the hundreds or a quick layback to refresh the senses, or even one that wasn’t the ceremonial cold beer at the end of the shift. The other day I sat mesmerized by a gif I sent a friend in a conversation anticipating her visit to Mexico City-a gif of Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes saying “All I want is a drink!” Granted gifs are by nature mesmerizing, but what I was mesmerized by was not the 3 second repetition of Monroe’s request but by this rare feeling of wanting a drink, a drink like that.

Flair bartender gif