The Hermitage Hotel: 5 Star Top Shelf Bartending
One of the most difficult jobs I ever had was as a top shelf bartender at the Oak Bar in the Hermitage Hotel. I had experience prior as a beer and pizza guy as well as Mexican service. As a musician I’ve always worked in the service industry to fill the days with steady work. When I got the job this was a big opportunity for me. It was high volume and fast paced. I would serve at the bar and do tables during the day. It was the most money I had ever seen. My mentors were fiercely disciplined. I was under constant scrutiny. When my shift was over I would go home to study drinks for hours. I remember the lead nighttime bartender saying “ I want you to conquer this bar. If you can do this bar you can do any bar”. It was 5 star service all the time. I studied, practiced, was humiliated, and swallowed my pride every table I served. When I screwed up the crew would let me know. When my team was upset my nerves would get worse. Until, one day I got hard. My memory got better. My skin got thicker. My eyes got darker. Sure I made mistakes, but I got better. One day my manager called me into his office. I thought he was going to chew me up. He handed me an invitation to pick up this piece of paper. Sometimes you think you’re drowning, but hey, that’s the job!
