Huntington Beach, CA 92649
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Bianca is a Bartender who works at The Bull Bar located at: 3316 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90804 and My Place located at: 5452 Commercial Drive Huntington Beach, CA 92649
Q. How did you get into bartending?
A: I went to bartending school, but that was by no means how I got a job. I have
7 years of customer service experience on my resume and a degree in
communication studies. I went to the bar that I wanted to work, demonstrated
that although I did not have in bar experience, all of my other experience made
me qualified to do the job. I offered to work for free for two weeks and he took
me up on it. I did the job well and he hired me to bartend for him. After that I
built my resume and jobs came easily after that.
Q: What is the biggest difference between working in Orange County and working
in Long Beach?
A: The clientele in Long Beach is a bit more rough around the edges and those in
Orange County are more white collar, business people.
I have felt nervous walking to my car in Long Beach, but feel more safe in
Huntington Beach… Even though I live around the corner from the Long Beach
bar. Something about carrying cash there feels less secure than in Orange
County.
Q: What is the best thing about your job?
A: I am a people person, so talking to and getting to know people from all walks
of life is great.
Q: What don’t you like about it?
A: When people drink, they tend to change, some for the better but most for the
worst. As one of my regulars says “alcohol does not actually make people more
attractive or charming… But they act as if it does.” Two minutes to a drunk
person seems like two hours, so impatience with a busy bartender is common.
Q What is your wildest bar story?
A: a schizophrenic man came into the bar once and ordered himself a pitcher of
beer. He told me his entire life story about how he was a “law enforcement
affiliate” with “international diplomatic immunity”. I played along. He then
showed me his “ID” to prove it. He took out a laminated, home-made card with a
paragraph long dissertation on the back about his affiliation with the royal
house of David, the English monarchy, the FBI, the Canadian Royal Mounted
Police, and so on. I was relieved by a coworker who told him to leave. He called
the police ON HER. They spoke with my coworker, got the story and took him to
jail.
Q: What is the saddest story you have ever heard from a customer?
A: A man came in and was a complete jerk to me one night. After being
ridiculously particular about his drink, he began to cry. I told him it was okay
and he said “no it’s not okay. Nothing is okay. I buried my wife today.” Then
the people in the bar, people who he had never met all began to support him,
buying him drinks, offering comforting sentiments, and anything they could. It
was touching, but tragic.
Q: Why should my readers come to The Bull Bar?
A: It is a very laid back, no-filter type of place. The drinks are poured STIFF
and the bartenders are all friendly, outgoing girls. Live karaoke, live bands,
pool tables, and games.
Q: Why should my readers come to My Place?
A: It reminds me of cheers! Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your
name and they’re always glad you came. The bartenders know their regulars and
their drinks. GREAT food.
Q: What is the best pick up line you have ever heard?
A: I think all pick up lines are pretty obnoxious… But a guy left me a $2 tip
on a $70 tab and wrote his number and a love note ended with call me and his
number on a napkin. First of all, your thank you and love note will not pay my
bills, and second… a love note? Really?
Q: If you were a mixed drink which one would you be?
A: royal peach. Peach schnapps and crown royal chilled (sweet but tough) with
Rockstar energy drink (energetic and ambitious).
Please note; Eliza’s interviews are done by email. All answers are unedited and come right from the lovely fingertips of her subjects:)
