I’ve never ‘blogged’ before but I’ve bartended a lot. I figured this might be a good place to toss some bartending stories around. I’ve bartended for over 8 years and the last 4 of those on Venice Beach—one of the craziest places on this particular planet. I won’t say what bar because I’d like to keep my job and I’d also like to be honest on this blog; I work for tips—just like the rest of you.
A bartender in general is a cheap therapist, a keeper of the peace, the settler of disputes, an adult baby-sitter, and the guy (or gal) who ultimately controls the alcohol supply and the remote control: a very powerful figure to say the least.
We also make some decent cake (always got cash in the pocket), drink the good shit for free (when the owner ain’t around), and have a reason to talk to all the hot chicks that roll through that door. You can also meet some pretty cool people and make some good connections. That’s all balanced out though because when some drunken moron decides he wants to start shit with some other knucklehead, you’re the guy that goes in first.
Anyway, this place where I work in Venice is right down on the boardwalk. Something like seven or eight thousand tourists a day decide to come to this human zoo. It’s nuts. The people who make their living on the boardwalk are the craziest displays by far. There’s everything from great artists and musicians to other people that you just can’t figure out what the fuck they’re doing or why the fuck they’re doing it. There’s actually a guy in a speedo who stands around juggling ONE ball. He keeps a fishbowl for tips and if you take his picture, you’d better deposit some jack, Jack.
All right…I need to get back on track. I guess what I’m trying to say is that bartender’s always have the best stories. I’ve been collecting mine and I’ll be sharing some from time to time here.
I’d love to have comments or other members of the Bartending Brother/Sister Hood write some of their experiences. Especially any who’ve ever worked Venice.
A bartender in general is a cheap therapist, a keeper of the peace, the settler of disputes, an adult baby-sitter, and the guy (or gal) who ultimately controls the alcohol supply and the remote control: a very powerful figure to say the least.
We also make some decent cake (always got cash in the pocket), drink the good shit for free (when the owner ain’t around), and have a reason to talk to all the hot chicks that roll through that door. You can also meet some pretty cool people and make some good connections. That’s all balanced out though because when some drunken moron decides he wants to start shit with some other knucklehead, you’re the guy that goes in first.
Anyway, this place where I work in Venice is right down on the boardwalk. Something like seven or eight thousand tourists a day decide to come to this human zoo. It’s nuts. The people who make their living on the boardwalk are the craziest displays by far. There’s everything from great artists and musicians to other people that you just can’t figure out what the fuck they’re doing or why the fuck they’re doing it. There’s actually a guy in a speedo who stands around juggling ONE ball. He keeps a fishbowl for tips and if you take his picture, you’d better deposit some jack, Jack.
All right…I need to get back on track. I guess what I’m trying to say is that bartender’s always have the best stories. I’ve been collecting mine and I’ll be sharing some from time to time here.
I’d love to have comments or other members of the Bartending Brother/Sister Hood write some of their experiences. Especially any who’ve ever worked Venice.
7 Comments:
Dude, I feel you. We're the unsung heros that listen to people's shit all day.
rm
I'm up and down the beach everyday, everynight, strolling on strolling on, I know you, I know you I know.
And you know me, have we met?
-Cruz
I would rather pluck the hair from my balls one by one the bartend one more day.It's like doing hard drugs,you can do it for a while,but eventually it's gonna bring ya down.
fnx
I once plucked meself while taking drugs.
Then the bartender flagged me.
Damn.
Tending bar is still the best night work you can get. Good tips, good conversation and the occasional freak to keep things interesting. Beats the pants off serving in my book.
zima
I worked in a bar, found heroin in the men's room, and was fired for supposedly "dealing." I shit you not.
That was years ago, I could easily admit it now were it true, especially on the net. But that's the way it was then.
I LOVED that damn job, I loved my customers, I loved the building, I loved the music and the atmosphere.
Why the fuck they thought I was dealing I'll never understand. I thought I was doing the RIGHT thing when I told the boss I'd found the drugs.
They never believed me.
i'm one of the musicians that stroll in through your establishment, setting up my soundgear in the afternoon,,,saying hello to the bartender is always the first order of business. The Gateway to the rest of my night. I remind the crowd to remember to tip the bartender and waitresses. We are usually the most sober ones left by the end of the night. I befriend the male bartenders and fall in love with the female ones and waitresses. Just something about you. Most times i know i play because i love doing it,,,,but sometimes late at night, when the lights have been turned up and the crowds' gone home and i'm sitting at the bar having a drink while we count our tips, i realize that i play for you.
I do love you people.
oh,,,one thing though,,,,,i can swing a microphone stand faster than you can throw a bottle,,,,,
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