Andie Jayde Marx learned to sling drinks with an old liquor bottle and a copy of Bartending For Dummies. Now she tends bar at one of the hottest nightclubs in Florida. In our interview she tells us how she got started and gives some great advice about how to present yourself behind the bar.

Can you tell us a little bit about where you work?

I work at the largest nightclub in the USA… located in a popular Spring Break destination town: Club La Vela in Panama City Beach, Florida. I’ve worked at many clubs in NY & South Florida & this is by far the best one to both work & party!

Why did you decide to get into bartending?

I’m a social butterfly by nature and love meeting new, different people from all over; plus I love the club scene. So, bartending just seemed like the perfect job for me right now. You get people at their best! They’re out having a great time and it’s a way for you to celebrate with them… only you’re not spending money… you’re making it instead!

How did you go about getting your first bartending gig? Was it tough to land your first one?

Not really — My first job was at a very laid back resort tiki bar that’s form of training was giving you a Bartending for Dummies book! So I used that experience as a way to train myself for bigger, better jobs. I bought a jigger and mixing tin, filled an old liquor bottle with water and practiced free pouring an ounce over and over again until I got it perfect consistently! After that, I made a few flash cards with popular drink recipes, memorized them, and was ready to go!

What is your favorite drink to make?

Absolut Stress! the reaction I get from people tasting it for the first time is always great!!!

What is your least favorite drink to make?

I don’t think I have a least favorite… hey what ever makes you happy… I’m happy to make!

What is your bartender pet peeve?

The preconceived notion that bartenders are uneducated "party-sluts". Just about every bartender I know has some kind of college degree and/or is extremely cultured… enough to have a conversation with anyone… which is a neccessity in our business! And there’s a big block of BAR between us and everyone else — so we don’t have to be or are not always as into the party scene as we may appear to be.

What’s the most interesting/scandalous thing that’s happened to you on the job?

Hmm… according to everyone I work with… the answer to that question would be when a famous person tracked my manager down and begged him to let me off early…. but I don’t agree! I’d have to say the most interesting thing was when MTV wanted to follow me and another bartender from Club La Vela around for a couple weeks. Even though it didn’t end up going through to the end… it was still really cool and I made a great friend out of it.

What’s the best line somebody has used to get a free drink from you?

Wow — there’s so many! I don’t really think any of them are good enough to give a drink to… but the attempts are entertaining.

What’s the most memorable pickup line you’ve heard?

Well, they’re all flattering, none really "memorable"…. but anything said in a cute, witty, manner always grabs my attention & warrants a smile!

Who would YOU want to have a drink with and why?

I’d have to say Matt Perry! I think he is hilarious! He reminds me of one of those comic actors from the old black and white movie days… ya know… before the "talkies!" So I’d love to see how he is when he’s out letting loose and having a great time!

Tell us one thing about tending bar that we might not know.

When you’re behind a bar… it’s like you’re on display. It’s up to you to decide how you want to portray yourself. People can sense insecurity better then anything else… and they will prey on it as soon as they get the chance. So whether it be an interview or a shift…. just shine like the great bartender and person you know you are… and you will be! I basically taught myself how to bartend — but because of my confidence in myself, personality and acquired skills…. look where I am now! Having a blast, too!

For more information about Andie, check her out on MySpace!

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