Call me old fashioned but when I sit at a bar I want my drink and I want it fast. I don't want to have to sit there and watch the fancy "mixologist" tossing bottles around like it's a goddamn dog and pony show or wait ten minutes for some hand squeezed shaken bullshit.
This is why I am proud to call myself a Bartender. These so -called mixologists take themselves WAY too seriously. Sorry people, I didn't go to bartending school. I don't have my "degree" in Mixology. But I HAVE been told I make a mean drink and can deliver it in a timely fashion.
After all, isn't that what's really important?
Don't get me wrong. I like fancy cocktails as much as the next girl. But I'll take a beer and a shot of tequila over a drink that takes 10 minutes to make any day of the week!
Now I know there are a lot of people who actually make a living, and a good one as an actual mixologist. These people are employed by corporations that own liquors such as grey goose etc. Or they live in Lucifer's nightclub, otherwise known as Vegas. That is great for them. And there are a ton of people out there doing amazing things with alcohol and cocktails in cities and towns everywhere!! Even our little island!! But for those of you slinging drinks in the trenches like the rest of us-- do us a favor. Lose the attitude and the pretensions and call yourself a Bartender. It's way cooler anyway.
7 comments:
Thoughts from a Career Bartender: The term mixologists isn't the most desirable term for people who are passionate about crafting cocktails. I'll usually make a joke about it and say "nahh, I'm a Liquid Chef". But it is what the general public has as their new household name for someone who is actively learning and practicing as much as he or she can in the supremely massive world of spirits, beer, wine, bitters, syrups, infusions, molecular cocktails, and so on. It's also poignant to note the picture on the cover of this blog is a flair bartender; showmen in Vegas, for the most part.
I'll totally validate you on the fact these 'mixologists' are pretentious and often wearing some costume, curled mustache (well not so much anymore..) and making customers feel bad for ordering a vodka cocktail.
On the flip side, I see the majority of 'bartenders' especially on Kauai, as SERVERS, behind a bar. Not necessarily true bartenders.
Also important to note: Bartenders with horrible attitudes need to Check themselves, this is the fucking Service Industry. This particular breed of bartender outta be stoked they have a job, its mostly tax free, it's fun, comes with bar privileges, customers treat you almost opposite to how they treat servants, I mean servers, and you get to walk with cash every night. That should hopefully translate into a decent attitude Just to name a few.
Cynical bartenders can be cool though, I will say that. Just doesn't seem right that just because someone has a disposition to be irritable at all times, they project it upon customers. If these bartenders do, they should at least do it with a sense of humor in the form of a joke or a quick witted comment in true bartender fashion.
I will also say there is a shift out there happening with food and farming in the kitchen, and spirits, beers, wine, and mixing behind the bar. Looking forward to seeing the next level of F&B on the Garden Isle!
Cheers,
Career Bartender
(not so anonymous :-)
Ok. Thanks :-)
Clearly someone took this post way too seriously
Shit bartenders say:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB2aVzmPxxM&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Couldn't resist deciphering the difference IMO ... a server brings you food and generally has to kiss a customer's ass no matter what. A mixologist can 'whip up' the newest trend in cocktails and utilizes flair to disguise the 10min wait on said cocktail. A bartender can serve everyone at a 25ft bar (even 3 deep) in a matter of moments and is much more likely to tell you to fuck off because in the same 10 minutes a mixologist might deal with one asshole - they've served 75 customers with an average of 7.5 of them being assholes. AND ... it is also important to note that those 7.5 assholes were probably still decent people during dinner hours when they were served by a mixologist ... to stroll into Kauai's late night bar and save their 'best face' for said bartender. Just sayin' :-P
Anybody can be able to mix a drink. But there is much more to bar tending than mixology. Skilled bartenders can have a conversation, put the drinks full, as well as control a crowd. Have you understood what it needs to be a master bartender?
You didn't have to go get formal bartending training, so like most women getting these pretty well paying jobs, you came in with little to no knowledge about it and got trained on the job. Too bad that doesn't work for men as they are told to have prior experience in serving and mixing drinks an most bars and restaurants do this so it would be impossible for a man to get going as a bartender and instead has to be a barback or runner. The same thing with servers. Women can come in with no experience and shadow an experienced waitress but the man has to hold experience even for crap chains like applebees.
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