My Life As a Bartender.



Posted: Tuesday, June 06, 2006

by
Capital Bartending School

First I should tell you a little bit about me. As far back as I can remember my father use to take me to bars, in fact that is where he meet my mother, she was the bartender. If I stop to think about it, it's very funny " the Family business," "history repeating itself," you get the idea. I didn't set out to be a bartender, but I have always been that social butterfly. I tried the 9-5, I even join the Marine Corps, 5 years, Recon. When I got out of the Marines, I went down to Florida, I had a friend who's family had opened a bar and needed help. I knew my way around a bar, but not great.I could make the Rum and Coke's, Srewdriver's, etc. I work in A few places down in the Tampa, Orlando area. Then I came back to the D.C area.

I wanted to work in D.C. so bad, I went to Platinum night club, in 2000. I stood outside allnight, just to get a chance to talk to the manger, well the club closed and I was still there. The doorman told me to come back the next day, I did ! He saw me walking up the next day and laughed, he asked if I was going to stand outside again, I told him, "yeap." He said he was tired of looking at me and told me to go in and get a earpiece, and just like that I was a bouncer at Paltinum, which at the time was a pretty hot sceen. I was ther for around 3 years before I ask to bartend, by then then they knew me, everyone knew me in there and that felt good. When your at a club that hot it makes you feel like it's Sudio 54. They said I didn't know enough to work in such a fast paced environment, I didn't. So I went to bartending school.


I went to bartneding school, graduated and started at Platinum. I was a Duck in water. This was my calling. I know that this may sound stupid, people are really good at a few things, when I was a kid I could rollerskate my butt off, I was a good at my job in the Marine Corps and I am a GREAT bartender. I entered a few fastest bartender competitions, Got a little into the Cocktails bottle flipping, I even became an instructor at the bartending school.


I wanted to pass on to others the same things I had learned, I know it sounds dumb, but it is true. I worked very hard there and kept my night job at Platinum. I went to ask for a raise one day A $1.00 raise, since I was the lowest paid employee at $9.00 as the others got $12.00. I was not bitter, that's why I only ask for a dollar, "NNNOOOOPPPPE" was the answer I got. By this time I had left Platinum eternally Grateful for all that they had done for me, I still think of them as family. I had take a job at Fur night club not yet opened. I left the school too. On opening week I was on my way in and wrecked my motorcycle. I was down and out for awhile. I was hurt pretty bad. I was really lucky, to this this day I still limp a little, but I have all my limbs and you cannot see the road rash anymore.

The wreck didn't hurt as much as the only people who came to see me in the hospital were my roommate Rich, My girl at the time Jessica and Ryan one of my closest girl friends. No other friends and no family. I don't talk to my family anymore!!! That does make me sad.

My close friend, whom I call my brother and I decided to do for ourselves, we opened a bartending school of our own. Capital Bartending in Alexandria, Virginia. People always ask me why can't you learn in a bar. Bars are busy, it is a sink or swim business, either you have it or you don't. I have it and I want to pass it on. I don't know where i would be without Bartending.


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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Billy Reilly
from Fairfax Va 4 years 82 days ago.
What makes you great? I know you , you know me, what credentials do you have to be a great bartender, i am all ears? Ramrod
» left by Anonymous 3 years 73 days ago.
I 'm just great! You know me, that means I caught your eye! hahaha!
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