Hot Bartender, Cool Drink

In between pouring drinks, bartender Dan Kelly answered five questions for us:

What do you wish people knew about bartending?

That, even if we’ve got a crowd three people deep, we do see you and are trying our best to get to you.  We are also making the servers’ drinks, and that is something that most people don’t factor in when they have to wait an extra minute or two.

Is this your career, or is it just paying the bills?

Just paying the bills and putting food on the table for me and my puppy Remy.

Bartenders talk to a lot of people every day—tell us about the most bizarre person or experience from work.

A lady came out of the closet to me. People will tell you the most intimate things about their lives, and about their friends and family. When you don’t know someone, it’s difficult to know if they’re being serious or not, so, with this lady I was like, “Oh—congratulations!”

What one quality separates a regular bartender from an unforgettable one?

A regular bartender gets your drink and moves on.  He treats his bar like an assembly line.  An unforgettable one has a funny, witty personality and isn’t afraid to use it!  Also, a good memory is important.  Remembering someone’s favorite drink makes people feel like they’re coming over to a friend’s house, which is good for everyone.

People come to you to let off some steam and relax—what is your favorite spot in town to do the same?

The Foxhole in Osterville, a small little bar where everybody knows you and the bartender, Tina, has a beer waiting for you before you even sit down.

Dan’s choice cool drink is the Windy City Hurricane. His recipe:

Over ice, pour:

 1 oz. Bacardi rum

0.75 oz Southern Comfort

2 oz. orange juice

2 oz. pineapple juice

Splash of sour mix

Splash of grenadine

0.25 oz Meyers rum as a floater on top

 Garnish with a pineapple slice and a maraschino cherry!