Southie's Best Bartender

Bottoms Up!

They mix a mean mojito, pour the perfect draft, and make you feel like your the most important person at the bar.  We asked you to nominate your favorite and here are our ten finalists!  Now it's up to you to vote for your favorite!  Polls will be open until July 18.   (To vote - click the link at the bottom of this article.)

top two photography images by Deb McCarthy

John Mayer - Local 149

How long have you been tending bar?
I've been in the hospitality industry since 2000. I started as a
server, but like most servers I was kind of into alcohol. I'd jump
behind the bar any time someone gave me a chance. I became serious
about my beverage studies in 2008 as a full time bartender after a
brief career in music.

Favorite part?
I live three blocks away from Local 149 and most of our guests come
from nearby, which means I get to serve my neighbors. Introducing my
neighbors to cool drinks and giving them an awesome experience is why
I do this.

Favorite drink to make?
Whatever makes someone happy. I personally favor strong drinks that
are all booze (generally tequila or mezcal), no citrus or other
mixers; but that's not every person's cup of tea. If you don't say
"hell yeah" at the first sip, I don't like making the drink. That
said, I'm mighty fond of the "1836"; Añejo tequila, Campari, Sweet
Vermouth and xocolatl molé bitters served over ice.

Weirdest request?
Pumpkin beer on a 90 degree day in August. To me, that's like curling
up to a fire on a snowy night with a watermelon and listening to the
Beach Boys.

Do you get hit on?
Only when I keep my left hand out of sight. Remember I live three
blocks away, which means that my wife does too. It's probably best to
keep that ring out in the open.

When do you work?
Generally Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights as well as Sunday brunch.

Kelly Cantore - STATS

How long have you been tending bar?
I have been bartending for around 6 years.

Favorite part?
My favorite part would have to be no early mornings...

Favorite drink to make?
 A Stoli vanilla white Russian with a splash of Doctor McGillicuddys.  Very popular on Sunday Funday!

Weirdest request?
The weirdest request for a drink, I have ever gotten was a guy asked for a glass of white milk... Strange!

Do you get hit on?
I work at stats, everyone that works at stats gets hit on..

When do you work?
I work Monday doubles, Thursday nights, Saturday nights, and Sunday Funday brunch. Come visit!!
 

Stephen Tallent - The Cornerstone

Eddie Downs - The Atlantic Beer Garden and The Playwright

My bartending anniversary is August 30, 1980 - it will be 32 years this year.  I  started at The Farragut House working for Joe and Alice Toomey.

 

Favorite part?

Being able to socialize and make a few bucks to help with two college tuition bills.

 

Favorite drink to make?

I love pouring a pint of Guinness

 

The new weird request?

A side of pickle juice with a Jameson Whiskey shot.

 

Do you ever get hit on?

It's been a very long time since I've been hit on.  Even the beer goggles fail to help

 

When do you work?

I work every Monday and Wednesday night ay The Atlantic Beer Garden, and every Tuesday and Friday at The Playwright. 

 

Kim Sweeney - Touchie's Shamrock Pub

 

How long have you been bartending?

Almost eight years

 

Favorite part?

Definitely my fun, crazy customers

 

Favorite drink to make?

Pink panty droppers

 

Weirdest request?

Someone always asked for his bottled beer to be shaken. Not sure why 

 

Do you get hit on?

My second favorite part of bartending!

 

What are your shifts?

My shifts change. Always Saturdays but could be during the day or the night

 

 

 

 

Mark Medico - L Street Tavern

How long have you been tending bar?
I have been bartending since 1986, 36 years, I guess that makes me old.

Favorite part?
My favorite part is the money and socializing with the customers.

Favorite drink to make?
My favorite drink to make is a Manhattan, extra sweet with a little cherry juice, I also don't mind drinking them once in a while.

What the weirdest request?
Weirdest request was David McDonald ordering a Zima with grenadine and another customer Barry drinking white zinfandel with amaretto.

Do you get hit on?
The stronger I make the drinks the more I get hit on.

When do you work?
I work at Woody's L Street Tavern on Wednesday and Sunday nights.
 

Mike Shaw - The Whiskey Priest

How long have you been bartending? 

6 short years.  I started while I was living in Arizona and California, where there is a much more casual approach to being in bars.  It was a great place to learn the business and I have taken that mentality back to Boston with me.  I try to make sure that everyone who walks into Whiskey Priest feels like they are just kicking it with an old friend and are in a comfortable environment. There is nothing worse than a rainy day, and second to that is an impersonal, stuck up, stiff bartender. I try to find something in common with everyone that walks in the door, and a great two minute conversation goes a long way.  

 

Favorite part?  

The best part about bartending is that I get to hang out with great people everyday.  I'm terrible at excel, so I am basically worthless in any cubicle job, so this suits me pretty well.  We have an awesome mix of regulars and tourists at the Priest so I get to spend time around some familiar faces, and then thousands of people who got lost looking for the freedom trail and Cheers.     

 

Favorite drink to make?

Easy answer would be a Bud Light bottle!  Or as my co-workers would like me to say, a Friar Tuck.  But I'll go with the "Matt Sivright".  It is an even mix of bombay gin, simple syrup, a few squeezed lemons, shaken like crazy, and topped with soda water.  Like Matt, it is a strong drink with a soft sensitive side.   

 

Weirdest request?

While I was working at a bar in California some lady I had never seen or met left her kid at the bar.  Intentionally.  Less of a request and more of a very weird 20 minutes.  She still owes me for 20 minutes of baby-sitting.  

 

Do you get hit on?

I am 5 feet tall with the nose the size of a football.  Fortunately (or unfortunately) getting hit on isn't one of my distractions at work!

Peter Cipriani - Franklin Southie

How long have you been tending bar?
I've been bartending for 18 years.

Favorite part?
My favorite part is shooting the shit and laughing.

Favorite drink to make?
My favorite drink to make is the one that will make someone happy.

Weirdest request?
I was once asked of me my attitude toward donating my half of a zygote for another couple.

Do you get hit on?
Never.

When do you work?
I work Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday night at the Franklin Southie.

 

 

 

 

Karen Attardo - Amrhein's

How long have you been tending bar?
12 years. I've worked at a lot of different types of bars & restaurants on the south shore over the years, but I settled into Amrhein's five and a half years ago.

Favorite part?
My favorite part about bar tending is the social aspect of it. I don't like to sit at a desk or on a computer. I like to be around people and constantly be moving. Even if your having a bad day when your behind the bar you pretty much have to smile and be social the whole time. I also work with one of my best friends on Tuesday and Saturday nights.  There's a lot of practical jokes and goofing around. We love to get the customers involved!  They call it the Karen and Lisa show! Working at Amrhein's is a lot of fun.  We have great food, a comfortable & beautiful atmosphere, an awesome staff, and the best regulars & customers than any bar/ restaurant I have ever worked at!

Favorite drink to make?
My favorite drink to make would be a Bud Lite (just kidding) :) I like to play around with drinks. I have regulars that come in and tell me to make them something, whatever I feel like. So it's constantly changing. But if I had to pick one that everyone always loves, it's a martini called the antioxidant. It's Veev acai berry vodka, pomegranate juice, fresh lemon juice & a splash of simple syrup. I put a few blueberries on a drink stirrer and lay it right on top of the martini glass rim. It's so pretty and tastes amazing.

Weirdest request?
I could write a book about the weirdest or strangest requests I've had over the years. Recently though I have this guy that keeps asking me to watch his dog for him while he goes on vacation, and he is dead serious!! It's weird! I'm a bartender not a doggie daycare!

Do you get hit on?
I think anyone that works behind a bar gets hit on. Sometimes it's flattering and sometimes it's a little creepy. I take it all in stride, boys will be boys! No matter how old they are! I prefer the funny guys, you don't need pick up lines if you can make a girl laugh!

When do you work?
My shifts at the bar are Monday lunches, Tuesday night, Friday night and Saturday nights. I also am a makeup artist so in the summers I have a lot of weddings on Saturdays but 9 times out of 10, I'm there!

 

Tim Malley - The Seapoint

How long have you been tending bar?
I've been bartending about 15 years.

Favorite part?
My favorite part is that I get to come into Southie every week. I grew up there and I love seeing the regulars and the newer customers. It keeps me connected to my home town.

Favorite drink to make?
My favorite drink to make is a Bloody Mary. If you want the best Bloody Mary I recommend coming by the Seapoint on Sunday in the day when I am working.

Do you get hit on?
I used to get hit on but not as much lately. I tell myself its because they somehow know I'm married. But I do flirt. Especially after I was told by my wife that its ok if it gets me tips.

Weirdest request?
The weirdest request I can think of is when I was asked if we could make a cheese pizza without the cheese and extra sauce

 

"http://polldaddy.com/poll/6347218/;South Boston'sBest Bartender