Page 62 - Thirst Magazine Issue 1 (Feb 2017)

A BARTENDER’S MEMOIR By Ben Ng

Having done about one and a half decades of work in the drinks
business, the journey has thus far been an interesting one.

started off as a bar back washing however when the buzz at the bar blood, sweat and tears of earning
up the bar every night. I still do comes to an end and so does your their place. All this coupled with
it today, but it’s a little different adrenaline, fatigue eventually sets long working hours and the
as I’m cleaning up my own bar. in at about the same time that constant lack of sleep adds to the
I This industry has given me the you’ll have to clean up the bar. difficulty of this job. Bartenders are
opportunity to travel, bartending The demands of this job are forged by perseverance, patience
in a variety of bars, consulting for rather intense. Career bartenders and diligence rather than just a
drinks brands, conceptualising and do not earn their spot making passion for drinks.
managing high volume event bars I can only speak for myself that,
to becoming a bar owner today. It’s as a bartender, a time will come
a really enriching journey in one’s when one reflects back on their
One of the highlights of this THE GLAMOUR OF to one’s aspiration and dream as a
career. career from triumph and failure
industry is the chance to meet young bartender. After spending
people from all walks of life. BARTENDING IS considerable effort and time in
From meeting complete strangers this line of work, it can turn fairly
to growing potential lifelong QUITE OVERRATED routine. Significant change is at
friendships, and the more than times required. Stepping out of a
occasional encounters with IN RECENT YEARS. daily working pattern helps to give
a**holes; this industry presents a fresh perspective on both life and
a broad spectrum of experience drinks overnight. The glamour passion. Getting out of the comfort
when it comes to dealing with of bartending is quite overrated zone and past successes to embrace
characters. It’s an exciting part in recent years. Many would’ve new challenge will strengthen one’s
of the job that can also be very spent months or years as bar backs belief in their own abilities. The
taxing. Most bartenders work hard shadowing their mentors or senior time has come to see beyond the
to meet guest demands. Holding bartenders to learn on the job ‘glamorous’ aspect of bartending
multiple conversations on a busy before being crowned a bartender. and explore how bartenders can
night while preparing cocktails is This has got to be one of the most help to better society and provide
no simple feat. Your adrenaline hits memorable parts of becoming a opportunities for others through
a high note. This keeps you going; bartender as it reminds one of the the work that we do.

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