thePULSE
You sent us your suggestions. We checked them out. It was a tough job, but we went all around the city searching for bartenders that gave great service, made killer drinks and were a ton of fun behind the bar.
So here are our picks for Worcester’s Best Bartenders – see what they have to say for themselves and find out when and where you can catch them in action!
Beth Montville
Age: 26
Hometown: Worcester
What makes you a great bartender? Other than my rad personality, being very attentive to my customers, I would say. Also, my ability to multitask and sling drinks in a timely fashion.
What do you enjoy most about your job? Hands down, my customers. I meet people from all walks of life. You never leave here without a story to tell.
What’s the most annoying thing a customer has done? I had a customer once try to be charming, and he would play “Beth” by KISS on the jukebox. He played it over and over and over again. I think I heard it 15 times a shift.
What are your hobbies? When I’m not working, you will typically find me out and about doing something in the community, from hiking to museums to local shows. I love Worcester; the city has a lot to offer if you know where to look.
What is something most people don’t know about you? I love crafts and creating art. I design all the chalkboards and window designs at the bar. You usually will find me with some chalk and markers in hand.
What is your passion? My passion is teaching. I’ve taught early education (preschool and pre-K) for the last eight years in and around Central Mass.
What is your superpower? If I had a superpower, it would be the ability to manipulate time. I tend to take on tasks that I don’t necessarily have all the time for. Who wouldn’t want the ability to sleep in just one more hour a day?
What drink do you make that you consider your specialty? I’ve been told I make a mean Bloody Mary on Sundays. Other than that, I try to whip up whatever a customer prefers.
What do you drink when you go out? I’m a beer drinker. If I’m not trying a local brew, I’m typically sipping on some wine.
Visit Beth at the White Eagle Polish Club, 116 Green St., Worcester, Tuesday and Thursday nights and Friday and Sunday afternoons.
Erin Ronan
Age: 23
Hometown: Oxford
What makes you a great bartender? I wouldn’t say I’m great! I still have a lot to learn. I’ve only been bartending in Worcester for four months. I think what sets me apart, though, is that I’m so personable. I LOVE working with people. I feel like most bartenders are just so focused on coming in, making money on their shift and leaving. That’s fine; I make really good money and I’m thankful for that, but I like to take the time to get to know my customers, as well. I want them to feel welcome when they come into my bar. I want them to have fun and unwind so we can enjoy each other’s company.
What do you enjoy most about your job? What I enjoy most are my regulars! I really feel as if I have the best customers. They make my job easy. I also have really great co-workers and two awesome bosses.
What’s the most annoying thing a customer has done? I hate when customers will yell and wave their Keno tickets at me, especially when I have a full bar. I think that’s so rude.
What are your hobbies? I love going on adventures with my dog! We like exploring new hiking trails, lakes, fields – all that fun stuff. She’s awesome. I also love cooking and baking. I’ve been known to whip up a good meal or two.
What is something most people don’t know about you? I have a pet rat named Rhonda Mousey.
What is your passion? My passion is helping animals. I used to volunteer at a shelter, and I work at veterinarian hospital, as well. When I purchase my first home, I’m definitely going to become a foster mom. I can’t wait! That’s my motivation for the future.
What is your superpower? I can make a large cheese pizza disappear by myself.
What drink do you make that you consider your specialty? My specialty drink is my Loaded Bloody Mary. I think a Bloody Mary should be a meal within itself, so I make it with all the fixings. Steak sauce, Slim Jims, bacon, pickles, olives, pepperoncinis, cheese and crackers – it’s all in there.
What do you drink when you go out? I recently discovered Deep Eddy’s lemon vodka. How I’ve just discovered this delicious masterpiece from the vodka gods, I have no idea, but I’m so glad I did. I’m simple; I’ll just drink a Deep Eddy’s lemon with soda water.
Visit Erin Monday and Thursday nights, Tuesday and Friday afternoons and Sunday days at The 9ines Neighborhood Bar, 136 Millbury St., Worcester.
Joe Prendergast
Age: 35
Hometown: Worcester
What makes you a great bartender? It’s understanding that a customer can go anywhere in town for a cocktail. Essentially, booze is booze, no matter how crafty some try to make it. When our guests come in to the Chop, I try to connect with them, make it fun and give the best professional experience they could possibly have at a bar and restaurant.
What do you enjoy most about your job? Every night is different; I work with some great people and eat incredible food every day. But still, the people that come in entertain me the most.
What’s the most annoying thing a customer has done? The “one drink at a time order.” I’m a big boy; give them all to me at once. Really, it’s a chronic problem and needs to be publicly addressed.
What are your hobbies? I hobby. Dabble in most things. Running has been my longest friend. We argue every so often, but we always end up back together. I like playing tennis, like long bike excursions on the Trek, received my black belt five years ago in Tae Kwon Do, and I definitely want to try to swing the golf clubs like an adult this year.
What is something most people don’t know about you? I am in my last semester of nursing school and graduating in May.
What is your passion? I like adventures. Anything. Travel is good, going to new places. Doing new things. Basically learning new things and always being interested.
What is your superpower? Smoooooooooooshing.
What drink do you make that you consider your specialty? My own. I always make mine the best.
What do you drink when you go out? I’m an opportunist. If a place states they make a killer cocktail, I’m in. Otherwise, I like beer – all shapes, sizes and attitudes.
Visit Joe at 111 Chop House, 111 Shrewsbury St., Worcester, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights.
Joy Flanagan
Age: 33
Hometown: Dudley
What makes you a great bartender? I think what has brought me success in the field is having a desire to learn about the products that I put on our back bar and to dive into the history of cocktails. I’ve been able to learn from some of the biggest names in the field and travel to distilleries to see production. That knowledge – and the passion for it – allows me to enhance the experience that guests have at my bar.
What do you enjoy most about your job? Sharing my passion with people! I’ve been able to introduce people to things they might’ve never known they’d like, such as aquavit or sherry! I also love the creative outlet that coming up with cocktails provides!
What’s the most annoying thing a customer has done? The most annoying thing any customer can do is be close-minded about what they drink. We don’t serve the same old stuff at Armsby Abbey, but we have curated a list of beer, spirits and wine that we’re all proud to serve! And we put in the time to educate the staff, so they can help guests find something they will enjoy and probably even love! We’ve had people walk out because we don’t carry the big name brand they’re loyal to. I find that annoying.
What are your hobbies? If the winter was better, I’d say snowboarding, but I haven’t been able to get much of that in this year. I also enjoy cooking and baking, travelling, reading, yoga and meditation.
What is something most people don’t know about you? Most people don’t know that I was the president of my sorority in college. You’d be surprised how much that translates to running a bar!
What is your passion? It may sound corny, but I’ve liked mixing drinks ever since I put Sprite in my Coke at the soda fountain as a kid. Being able to mix cocktails is a great creative outlet. You learn about distillation and flavor, how flavors play with one another and how they can complement food. You learn about the drinks of other cultures and how spirits, beer and wine have brought cultures together for centuries.
What is your superpower? My boss would say sarcasm. I’d say using my dimples to get what I want. My boss is right, though.
What drink do you make that you consider your specialty? I have a knack for making whiskey drinks that please both the aficionado and those who claim to hate whiskey. Not a whiskey fan? I dare you to come in for brunch and drink a Founders Breakfast and tell me it’s not delicious!
What do you drink when you go out? This is entirely dependent on the place, but my go-to for beer is a hazy IPA, my cocktail is an Old Fashioned, and we’re coming up on rosé season!
Visit Joy at Armsby Abbey, 144 Main St., Worcester, on Wednesday nights and during weekend brunch.
Mark Esperti
Age: 25
Hometown: Holden
What makes you a great bartender? Consistency of drink quality and executing drink orders as fast as possible to keep wait times minimal.
What do you enjoy most about your job? My bar has a very high number of regular customers. They all become friends, not just customers. Getting to know all of them on a personal level is the most rewarding part of this job.
What’s the most annoying thing a customer has done? Anyone who comes out to a nightlife/social environment with an aggressive attitude or desire to start trouble is the biggest annoyance in this business. I believe most bartenders and bar managers would agree with this.
What are your hobbies? Vacations, enjoying New England sports teams, purchasing large televisions.
What is something most people don’t know about you? I know the first 34 digits of Pi thanks to Pi Day in eighth grade.
What is your passion? I’m passionate about the hospitality business and striving to improve it day after day.
What is your superpower? I’m not great with remembering names, but I will always remember what a customer drinks, smokes and any special preferences he/she may have to make the night more enjoyable.
What drink do you make that you consider your specialty? I particularly enjoy creating colorful, sweet and girly martinis.
What do you drink when you go out? My favorite adult beverages are Dogfish Head 90 Min IPA and Jameson Irish Whiskey.
Visit Mark at Michael’s Cigar Bar, 1 Exchange Place, Worcester, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Matt Lefebvre
Age: Early middle age…
Hometown: Foxborough – Go Pats!
What makes you a great bartender? I just try do what I would want as a guest at any other bar/restaurant
What do you enjoy most about your job? The people that come in and the people I work with and the people I work for.
What’s the most annoying thing a customer has done? Convincing a drunk person to take a cab, get them in, even pay for it, then the cab returns, and they get into their car and drive off.
What are your hobbies? Music, hiking, biking, cooking.
What is something most people don’t know about you? My wife, Jill, had to stalk me for months before she finally cornered me and kissed me.
What is your passion? My kids.
What is your superpower? Captain Know-It-All.
What drink do you make that you consider your specialty? Pairing wine to guests’ palettes or food. Not a craft cocktail guru.
What do you drink when you go out? Wine or beer.
Visit Matt at Bocado, 82 Winter St., Worcester, Wednesday-Saturday nights.
