For some reason, we have made a lot of Bartending School people mad at us with a few of our posts. But if you read them closely, you’ll see that we are not knocking bartending school. It can be a great experience and fast-track you into a good job. Luckily, Bob Grotticelli, from the Bartenders Academy of NY didn’t hold it against us. Bob is currently the director and instructor at the Academy and when he’s not doing that, he tends bar at Granny O’Shea’s Pub – a neighborhood beer and shot bar.

Why did you decide to get into bartending?

I was hanging out in bars often enough that I decided to start getting paid for it.

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

I was already working as a waiter in a catering hall, when I was given a shot behind the bar. My first gig was at the neighborhood bar that my friends and I called “our home away from home”. It wasn’t all that difficult to land my first job, but it was definitely nerve racking with limited drink knowledge.

What is your favorite drink to make?

Martinis

What is your least favorite drink to make?

Red Devil, Margarita

What is your bartender pet peeve?

A messy bar counter ( the mess patrons make when doing Irish Car Bombs, Dr.Peppers,etc.)>

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

I don’t know if this classifies itself as most interesting/scandalous… My fellow bartender and I convinced every girl in the bar to do a Blow Job shot at the same time. So we lined them down the entire length of the bar, which was horseshoe shaped, and watched as these girls did the shots simultaneously. Some spit, some bite (breaking the glass in their mouth), and some swallow.

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

I put the bathrooms in this joint. So why don’t you hook me up. (wink,wink)

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

Baby, I don’t care what you call me, as long as you call me yours.

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

John Jameson and his son because of their most beautiful creation… Jameson Irish Whiskey.

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

I am always right. If you don’t like it… tough.

For more information about Bob, check out his MySpace page or visit the Bartenders Academy of NY.

Popularity: 1% [?]