Bartender Interview: Chris Barriere
Chris Barriere tends bar at 75 Chestnut in Boston, MA.
Why did you decide to get into bartending?
I was working retail and not making nearly enough money to support myself. So, I picked up a second job as a food runner in a small restaurant in Beacon Hill. I saw the bartenders in action and admired the social setting. I saw the bar as more of a stage than anything else, where you could make money just by telling jokes and being yourself. Since I considered myself a pretty social person, this seemed like a natural fit. That, and the fact that I love wearing black.
How did you go about getting your first bartending gig? Was it tough to land your first one?
Well as I said before, I was a food runner and I moved up the ladder pretty quickly because I was such a hard worker. The kitchen staff actually nicknamed me “the machine”. When a bar shift opened up on Sunday brunch I jumped on it. It was a good shift to learn on because it was one of the only bar shifts at the restaurant where you were the only bartender scheduled. This way I learned how to do everything on my own: wait on my tables, make the service bar drinks, bus tables, etc..
What is your favorite drink to make?
I really like making our espresso martini. It is the most delicious drink we have.
What is your least favorite drink to make?
A mojito. Anything where muddling is involved is thumbs down, especially when it’s busy.
What is your bartender pet peeve?
When old people tip 10%, get with the times gramps!
What’s the most interesting/scandalous thing that’s happened to you on the job?
Well since I work in a wealthier part of town, I don’t get young, crazy girls throwing themselves at me as much as everyone thinks. One older woman said she was my fairy godmother, held my hand, and told me I was going to have a really wonderful 2008. That’s about as racy as it gets at my work..
What’s the best line somebody has used to get a free drink from you?
Oh, I don’t have the power to give away free drinks yet..
Who would YOU want to have a drink with and why?
I would like to have a drink with my grandfather. He died when I was really young and I would like to hear some old stories of his that he couldn’t have told me when I was a kid..
Tell us one thing about tending bar that we might not know.
To be a good bartender you have to be good at many things. You have to be able to multi-task, you have to have a knowledge of a variety of topics, and you have to be personable so that you can change walk-ins into regulars. There are so many bars in the Boston, you have to give people a reason to come to yours.
For more information, check out Chris’ MySpace profile.
9 Responses to “Bartender Interview: Chris Barriere”
February 5th, 2008 at 11:31 am
so how exactly do you get the power to give out free drinks ?
February 7th, 2008 at 10:03 am
You are soooo cute! I would come to your bar and bring my posse!
February 7th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Nice interview. lol
February 8th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Cool site dude! Bartenders are the Ambassadors of the Bar and a good one makes for a fun night (!) - keep up the good work man, and keep ‘em comin!
February 10th, 2008 at 4:16 am
Really god interview. What about sharing some recipes?
February 11th, 2008 at 2:39 am
An espresso martini sounds delicious. I’ve never had one, but you sure have me interested in them now; anything involving coffee of any kind is good in my book.
February 20th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Very nice questions & very good response…YOU’RE HIRED!!!
Congratulations!
April 1st, 2008 at 8:57 am
I must say you have good humour and agrat personality.
April 1st, 2008 at 8:59 am
Can you give me the receipe of espresso martini?
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