Barcode

Personality – 3.5

Service – 3

Drink Presentation – 3

Overall – 3 shots

(out of 5 shots)

On slow weeknights, a bar’s music selection can
actually be heard and the last drink can still be remembered the next morning. These are the times when friendly interaction with bartenders reaches its peak. Tadd, who has only a few months experience mixing drinks behind the long counter in Barcode, most likely knows how to pour quickly and tastefully even in his off hours. He moved around and flashed his even smile with the movements of a sprightly elf with a bright red backward ball cap that boasted a letter “T” in the middle. His spastic movement as he stopped at various customers matched his music selection which ranged from ’90s pop tunes to classic rock epics. He pounded out car bombs and beer, and even popped a cherry in a glass of sizzling champagne. Many of the people in the bar knew him and confessed to his love of foam parties (he’s having one tonight), and his occasional attraction to taking off his shirt. He is the kind of bartender who remembers your drink if you’re one of his friends, but is only casually talkative if you’re not.

Cutter’s Pub

Personality – 3

Service – 3.5

Drink Presentation – 3.5

Overall – 3

(out of 5 shots)

Cutter’s Pub is a bit dark with its lighting even dimmer than most bars downtown, its exposed brick and its edgy, slicing rock beats blasting overhead. Jonie, with her scratchy smoker’s voice and slow smile, continued this vibe. She whipped up a highly recommended peanut butter and jelly martini as she carried on multiple conversations. The sweetness was a bit overwhelming and the nutty flavor too strong for my taste, but at least it’s creative. She offered extra tastes of it for others to sample, and when my delicate martini glass stuck to the napkin, she speedily picked it up and poured salt on the napkin to keep it from sticking. With her movements and quick creativity, she gives off the impression of experience, yet she’s only been bartending for a year. She proudly professed her vast drink knowledge and claimed to know how to make anything. Going back to further test her skills would be worth the trip down Clayton Street.