Name: Juan Sandoval
Age: 34
Job: Bartender at The Saint

What is the best way to piss off a bartender?

There are several ways to piss off a bartender. NEVER bang on the bar or whistle and DON’T EVER,  EVER,  EVER,  throw a napkin or other object at the bartender. I guarantee you will wait for a LONG,  LONG time for your drink.

What is the best way to make a bartender your best friend?

Becoming friends with the bartender isn’t hard. Just be patient, don’t be rude and don’t forget to TIP. If you think I’m too busy to remember who’s tipping,  then you’re wrong. I always know who’s taking care of me. (FYI :  Loose change is not a tip in my book.)

What is the biggest bar tab you have ever seen? What were they drinking?

I was working at a gentlemen’s club and saw a tab for over $10,000 on just the alcohol alone. Those guys just kept ordering bottle after bottle of champagne.

What is the biggest tip you have ever received and why did you receive it?

Last year I got a $400 tip on one tab, which is probably the biggest tip I’ve received from one person. I’d like to think I received it because I gave her great service,  but in actuality,  I think it was because it was daddy’s credit card (ha ha).

What is the craziest thing you have ever seen happen in a bar?

I’ve seen A LOT of crazy things over the years,  but the icing on the cake was the time I saw a drunk girl leaning over the toilet and washing her face with toilet water. GROSS!!

What is the weirdest thing someone has left behind at the bar?

I can’t say I’ve really found anything too unusual except for a pair of fuzzy handcuffs. It’s usually just keys, phones and shoes. Who goes to a club and forgets their shoes?

It seems like a weird lifestyle since you work mostly late nights. Do you feel like you are somewhat isolated from mainstream society?

I prefer the late-night lifestyle. I never have to face rush-hour traffic, I never have to fight crowds at a store or restaurant and I don’t have to sit in a cubicle all day waiting for 5 o’ clock to roll around.

Since you are around booze all night, how do you keep yourself from drinking yourself to death?

Being around booze all the time can be a challenge,  so to keep from drinking myself to death,  I remind myself that alcohol abuse can lead to impotence.

What's the difference between a well and call drink?

A well drink is the generic version of a brand-name drink. For example, the generic version of Jack and Coke is a bourbon and Coke. Call drinks are the premium drinks that are usually of higher quality and price.

Would it help to have a psychology degree if you are a bartender? Do people often come to you with their problems?

A psychology degree isn’t necessary to be a bartender but a baby-sitting degree is (ha ha). I try to listen to people’s problems,  but I refrain from giving out advice because I don’t want to be blamed in case it backfires.

Does your wife ever become jealous over the attention you get?

My wife also has a part-time bartending job,  so jealousy is not an issue.

What do you do when you see someone getting really, really drunk at the bar?

When I see someone getting really, really drunk,  I usually try to slow their drinking down or have security keep an eye on them so that we can prevent any problems.

Do you enjoy your job? If so, why?

I really enjoy my job. My schedule is flexible,  and I have been able to travel quite a bit.  I like the fact that every day is different. I never know who I’m going to meet or how my night is going to turn out. Plus,  the people I work with have turned into an extended family. 

Is this something you could see yourself doing forever?

I don’t expect to be a bartender forever but I would like to stay in the nightclub business in some capacity or till my liver gives out.

What are you having?

My favorite drink is Stoli Oranj & cranberry. Favorite shot is Grey Goose chilled.