thePULSE
Learn more about Central Massachusetts’s Best Bartenders and where to get a drink from them! Photos taken at The Pint by Matt Wright Photography.
Bartender You’d Most Like to Date
Morgan Long
Whiskey On Water
Why do you think you won the category? What makes you a great bartender? I think I won the category because I present myself well. I was raised southern, and we’re always taught to put ourselves together and keep an appropriate demeanor. I think I’m a great bartender because I’m attentive; I like to watch for cues and signals that people give off. You can learn a lot about a customer from observing.
What else do you do? I like to keep myself busy. In addition to bartending at Whiskey On Water, I tend bar at a couple others as a fill-in around the Springfield area. I work as a promotional model for various liquor and event companies. I’m signed to a modeling agency out in the city and most of my days consist of castings.
What do you love most about being a bartender? In general, I just enjoy talking to others. I love hearing war stories about bad dates. As long as you want to talk, I’ll lean and listen in.
The most annoying thing a customer can do? I absolutely dread an unhappy customer. Please, do not go to any bar if you’re in a bad mood. Often people think ,”I’m having a bad day, I’ll go out to cheer myself up.” The truth is you walk in unhappy thinking about your day and you’re not able to let it go most of the night.
What is your super power behind the bar? Sometimes it feels like there’s two of me. I try my best to get everything multiple customers need in a few moves. I’m always trying to improve on speed and efficiency behind the bar.
What do you do on your time off? I honestly don’t have to much time off. I try to pack in as much work as I can, so I can get away for a week every couple of months. I’ve been spending a lot of this year traveling and just came back from celebrating Mardi Gras in Louisiana.
What is something people are usually surprised to find out about you? I would say the most surprising thing customers find out about me is that I’m originally from the South. I’ve been in Massachusetts for a couple years now and most of my accent has faded.
What drink do you make that you consider your specialty? I backpacked through Europe two summers ago. I learned a few tricks and drink recipes from bartenders I met along the way. I have a few special drinks I make for regulars, but what makes a cocktail so special is not to reveal the ingredients.
What do you drink when you go out? Jameson.
Bartender You’d Most Like to Date
Nicholas Patchen
The Hangover Pub
Why do you think you won your category? What makes you a great bartender? Being a great bartender is more than creating delicious drinks. I like to talk and connect with the guests at my bar and create a comfortable atmosphere where anybody can come enjoy great drinks and feel like they are at home. As far as drinks go, I take pride in each and every one of my cocktails that I put out. Building a cocktail has become an art form to me, and nothing is better than seeing the look on the people’s faces when you put the perfect cocktail in front of them.
What else do you do besides bartend? My favorite hobby of all is going to new places, walking around and finding cool things to do. My ideal day is going to a hip new town/city that I’ve never been to and just walking around all day popping in and out of stores and bars.
What do you love about being a bartender? I honestly really just enjoy meeting new people, whether it’s going to bartender events and meeting some of the greatest bartenders in the world or having some average Joe sit at my bar. Everyone is so unique with their own story.
What’s the most annoying thing a customer has done? What annoys me is when one guest at my bar starts to bother a different group of guests. When that happens, it just takes away from the atmosphere and their experience isn’t the same.
What is something most people don’t know about you? When I was 20, I packed up all of my things and bought a one-way ticket to Denver, Colo. I moved out there with zero dollars in my pocket and landed my first restaurant job within the first day of being out there. That is where my passion for the industry began.
What is your super power behind the bar? I feel like I can put a smile on anybody’s face.
What do you do on your time off? I am an art nerd. Anything from photography to painting to architecture to tattoos. I love it all. That and the Patriots and Tom Brady.
What drink do you make that you consider your specialty? I really like to make bourbon/whiskey drinks.
What do you drink when you go out? This is the toughest question so far. I am all over the place when it comes to drinking. It all depends on where I am going and what my purpose for the night is. But my favorite cocktail to sit down and enjoy is a well made Old Fashioned.
Bartender You’d Most Likely Take a Drink Recommendation From
Derek Grimm
deadhorse hill / The Pint
Why do you think you won your category? What makes you a great bartender? I really enjoy the hospitality aspect of bartending. When someone comes in and is a little confused or stumped by our cocktail or beer list, it’s nice to get a few details about what they like and go from there. It’s super cool making or pouring something insane for someone who came in looking for something more normal and having them light up and totally crush it.
What else do you do besides bartend? I love to travel. I try to get out of town once a month. Chicago has been a regular destination of mine, but I’m also heading to New Orleans, Asheville and Sweden this year. Apart from that, I do a lot of geeky stuff – retro video games, comic books (really, any kind of super hero or Star Wars collectible) and read.
What do you love about being a bartender? Helping people enjoy what little time they have away from the real world is pretty rad. While we may take this time for granted, most people work their whole week to be able to sit down for two hours and try to forget the stress of the work week. It’s awesome taking someone who comes in and is upset that we don’t carry a certain spirit or beer, and by the time they leave, they’ve Instagramed the four drinks you’ve gotten them. Being creative in a medium that is universally appreciated is pretty damn fulfilling. The international sense of community that comes with the title is amazing, as well.
What is the most annoying thing a customer has done? Meh. Annoying is very relative. People have requests and idiosyncrasies that may be annoying to you but totally normal to them. That’s not to say I’m a super huge fan of people grazing off the garnish tray or telling (not asking) me to pour more booze in their drink, but that’s just kind of comes with the title.
What is your super power behind the bar? Dad jokes.
What do you do on your time off? Travel. Study. I try to visit other places and support the bartending community. I really like competing in cocktail competitions, and any excuse to get out of town is welcomed.
What is something people are usually surprised to find out about you? My middle name is Sven; I’m mostly Swedish; and I really enjoy classical music.
What drink do you make that you consider your specialty? I don’t have a specialty, per se. I really enjoy tiki drinks, and I think rum is an underrated spirit here in Worcester. If I find myself asking what a cocktail needs, I’m usually thinking rum!
What do you drink when you go out? Depends on the day. Some days you’ll find me at breweries sampling flights; some days I’ll be at Moynagh’s hammering down Pabst and shots of Jameson; some days drinking cocktails. If I had to pick a favorite drink of all time? The Vieux Carre.
Best Therapist Behind the Bar
Kait Flynn
VIA Italian Table
Why do you think you won your category? What makes you a great bartender? I think one of the things that has helped in my success as a bartender is my willingness to really connect with my customers. I tend to have a full house, and I think that projecting a sense of calm while operating with a sense of urgency is also key. It seems to be working for me – there are a lot of familiar faces around my horseshoe.
What else do you do besides bartend? I love to fill my days with anything active – yoga, creating art of any kind. I love to read, and I am sort of a foodie, so whether it’s dining out or finding an awesome new healthy cookbook, food is usually involved.
What do you love about being a bartender? I love so much about bartending. You never know what the day is going to bring! Every customer that has ever sat at my bar has been interesting in one way or another. I also love the challenge of keeping customers satisfied while multitasking to no end.
What is the most annoying thing a customer has done? I would have to say the most annoying thing a customer could do is to disrespect my career by asking me what my “real job” is. Many people don’t see bartending as a career, but it is for me and I love it.
What is your super power behind the bar? My super power is totally reading people, making them feel comfortable and knowing when to use discretion.
What do you do on your time off? On my days off, you usually can’t find me because I am playing in the mountains or on the beach with my dog, fiance and little girl. We love to be outside! I also love to travel. I think it is one of life’s greatest joys. So if I am not behind the bar for a stretch, I’ll be back soon with some awesome stories to tell.
What is something people are usually surprised to find out about you? People are usually pretty surprised that at my age (28), I have a 10-year-old stepdaughter that I absolutely adore.
What drink do you make that you consider your specialty? It depends on the season and my mood, but I do love working with bourbon.
What do you drink when you go out? It’s funny, I go through phases. On rotation, I’ve got Double IPAs; a good Old Fashioned; oaky chardonnays; a big, bold red; and just recently, I’ve been feeling the extra dirty martini with a ton of olives to help me along.
Most Entertaining Bartender
Joe Stake
Funky Murphy’s
Why do you think you won your category? What makes you a great bartender? I never expected this. My ability to see when someone’s drink is empty and ask if they would like another makes me a great bartender.
What else do you do besides bartend? I like to golf and also workout as little as possible.
What do you love about being a bartender? Meeting new people.
What is the most annoying thing a customer has done? Ask if we have Tito’s.
What is your super power behind the bar? The ability to read lips when someone whispers in a crowded bar.
What do you do on your time off? Sample new and innovative cocktails.
What is something people are usually surprised to find out about you? My age (24).
What drink do you make that you consider your specialty? Tito’s and soda.
What do you drink when you go out? Four Loko.
Most Creative Cocktail Crafter
Jeremy Kielar
Clintons Bar & Grill
Why do you think you won your category? What makes you a great bartender? I’m knowledgeable and teachable. Also maybe my personality. Maybe…
What else do you do besides bartend? I have so many hobbies I couldn’t list them all. I’d describe myself as a constant learner, though. Learning is a hobby to me. I’m a musician and an artist, I guess. Creating anything really is a hobby to me.
What do you love about being a bartender? I enjoy being creative and working with my hands. I enjoy the conversations with customers and co-workers. Mostly co-workers. It takes a certain type of crazy to be in this industry.
What is the most annoying thing a customer has done? The verbal tip is the most annoying thing ever. I’ve found that the more a person openly praises you as a bartender/server, the less they tip. Thanks for nothing.
What is your super power? My super power? LOL. Being a good listener. You can’t learn anything if you never listen – about things or people.
What do you do on your time off? Right now, I’d say my passion is to be my own boss. I want to be independent. Like I said, I am a creator and a thinker. I’m passionate about being myself. Music is a passion of mine in a lot of different ways, as well.
What is something people are usually surprised to find out about you? Most people don’t know that I have a bad temper. I never yell and I never get upset. I’m a very calm and passive person. But I’ve learned to be that way; it doesn’t come naturally to me.
What drink do you make that you consider your specialty? I don’t think there is anything special about the drinks I make. I just put a lot of pride and attention into cocktails in general. Presentation, smell, taste, texture and ingredients. They are all important. But I’ve been told I make the best sazerac outside of New Orleans. I don’t believe that, though.
