Stover tends bar at the Red Eyed Fly in the Red River of Austin, Texas. "We are a live music venue that caters to Austin’s true rock and roll and punk rock crowds," says Stover. Read on to learn how he lied his way into his first job and why you shouldn’t call him "bro."

Why did you decide to get into bartending?

When I was in college in San Marcos I started out as a door guy at Rocky Larue’s. Every night I realized that the bartenders were making 75 times the money I was and did 1/8 of the job. So I figured I better weasel my way into the money as soon as possible. That was in 1999 and it took me 7 years to get a diploma because I was always working.

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

I lied!! This new guy showed up in San Marcos and bought one of the existing bars. I told him that I had been bartending for a few years and was looking for a gig. He took my word for it an threw me behind the bar at CJ’s Cocktails and Dreams. He soon realized that I was no bartender and took the time to train me the right way. Thanks CJ!

It was very tough to land my first one. After trying to move up at several bars and being turned down at others, I figured making shit up was the only way I was going to make it through college.

What is your favorite drink to make?

Never really thought about it— I enjoy four bottle pours if I am in a flair mood, but a good old well whiskey shot can gain quite a bit of respect if you ask me.

What is your least favorite drink to make?

Sex With an Alligator—I have told people to leave when ordering this.

What is your bartender pet peeve?

Don’t snap your fingers at me or I will break them.

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

Probably when Southwest Texas State University hosted a conference for Texas teachers. They all ended up at the bar I worked at and stayed until about 5:00am. We closed at midnight— I won’t go into detail, but it got baaddddddddd. I have never looked at teachers the same since then.

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

One of my old girlfriends used to hang out at the bar a lot and most of the girls knew who she was. This one girl came up to me and said “if you give me a free shot, I will go tell your girlfriend that a smoking hot chick hit on you while she was in the ladies room and you completely turned her down” (it worked)

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

Never really had a most memorable, but I heard “ can I feel you hair” too many times to count. I used to have hair to the middle of my back.

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

Hunter S. Thompson, because there is no telling where we’d end up or what might happen in between

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

Don’t call us chief, bro, bud, buddy, barkeep, slick, boss, haus, big guy, or any of the other nicknames you think are cool. Just don’t speak until spoken to. It’s very simple.

Tags: bartending, austin, red eyed fly, red river

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