The beautiful thing about New Orleans is that we treat our bartenders like rockstars. Because they are. I spent 11 years behind a neighborhood bar and will be forever grateful for the friends I made and life lessons learned. While we adore our bartenders, we don’t hear from them enough. You can expect to hear from more of them in the future, but today’s spotlight is on a select three.
Let’s begin our journey with Robert Hughes!
Robert Hughes, New Orleans bartender at Mimi’s in the Marigny
Robert has been a bartender in New Orleans for 15 years. He has spent a couple of years at House of Blues before settling in and becoming a permanent fixture at Mimi’s in the Marigny. If you see him out, buy him a Budweiser. Here are my 5 questions with Robert:
Question: What’s your favorite drink to make?
Answer: Chelsea Sidecar, most people don’t know what it is. So, it’s a little bit of a surprise.
(Editor’s Note: I have no clue what this is. Someone go drink one for me!)
Q: Are there any holidays you like working?
A: Christmas! NYE & Halloween are way busier, but there are too many rookies & idiots. Christmas is slower but nicer.
Q: What has changed the most about bartending in the past 10-15 years?
A: Way more crafty cocktails & a greater need to ID people – the city loves levying fines on bars for this.
Q: What do you love about your job?
A: It’s fun, honestly. And our regulars are great peeps.
Q: What drink do you loathe making?
A: Old Fashioneds for 22-year-olds.
(Another Editor’s Note: Most New Orleans bartenders agree with you, Robert.)
The next bartender I am showcasing is Erica Fry!
Erica Fry, New Orleans bartender at 45 Tchoup & Chart Room
Erica has always had two bartending gigs at one time for the 16 years she’s been serving cocktails. Currently, you can find her chilling shots at 45 Tchoup & The Chart Room. Most know Erica from working at a (former) popular burger joint in the Quarter and Tracey’s in the Irish Channel. When you catch her out, make sure to send her down an import beer that’s in season and a shot of 100% agave tequila. Let’s see how Erica responded to 5 questions with me!
Q: What do you love about your job?
A: I love talking to people, even the drunk dum-dums! There is never a dull moment. I look at this aspect of my job as being the world’s jester. I don’t take myself too seriously. I’ll do anything to make a customer laugh. To forget about their day, being an entertainer is fulfilling.
Q: What do you love about the neighborhoods your bars are in?
A: The two neighborhoods I work in are polar opposite and I love that! My uptown/riverside bar job is all locals having a beer after work, maybe a stop before going to Rouse’s, or a to-go drink on the way to walk the dog. I know all their names & what they drink – they are all friends! My French Quarter job is equally amazing. I have awesome regulars that I count on seeing during happy hour. But another dynamic is having a revolving door of first-timers to NOLA.
Q: What drink do you loathe making?
A: I always feel like a goof when someone orders a Negroni. Even though I know what’s in it, I always question myself.
Q: What has changed the most about bartending in the past 10-15 years?
A: All of the spirits and beers are evolving into much more complex flavor profiles. It makes crafting new drinks so much more fun and interesting!
Q: Are there any holidays you like working?
A: I try not to work any religious holidays, on the other hand, I never take days off during the festival season. Mardi Gras, FQF, Jazz Fest just to name a few. People are in a great mood and ready to listen to great music, hang with their besties (or make new friends!), eat amazing food, & dance their butts off!
Rounding out this bartender’s show & tell is Ms. Tammie Carpenter!
Tammie Carpenter, Halfmoon bartender
Tammie is a close, personal friend of mine whom I met 13ish years ago when she served me one of the best margaritas I have had in my life. She has been slinging drinks for 19 years – 12 of those have spent at Half Moon Bar in the Lower Garden District. If you catch her off work and enjoying an adult beverage, send a Miller Lite her way and she will school you in all things comic books. Here’s my brief interview with her.
Q: What drink do you loathe making?
A: I know most will say a Bloody Mary, but I absolutely loathe an Irish Car Bomb. It’s strictly from being traumatized after so many St. Paddy’s parades. And it’s a pain to clean up.
Q: What do you love about your job?
A: Connecting with people. Sometimes you can be the tide that turns their whole day around. Sometimes, maybe their life, in some way.
Q: What’s your favorite drink to make?
A: I actually enjoy making martinis, because people act like it’s a miracle when they ask if we make one and I actually say “yes”. And it’s generally pretty damn good.
Q: What has changed the most about bartending in the past 10-15 years?
A: I think the showiness of it. If it took 15 minutes to put together a drink 15 years ago, people would have just left the bar. And the fact that everything that isn’t straight liquor in glass needs a name. Sometimes it’s just a gin and soda. Get over it.
EDITOR’S NOTE: AMEN!
Q: Are there any holidays you like working?
A: Mardi Gras Day. Everyone is in a good mood, seemingly low maintenance, tip well, and just make it a fun shift.
Thanks to Robert, Erica, & Tammie for taking a moment of time from chilling me another shot of vodka, and answering these questions. Make sure you swing by Mimi’s in the Marigny, 45 Tchoup, Chart Room, & Half Moon Bar and meet, what I consider, the real New Orleans celebrities. Tip well & tip often.
Would you like to be featured on my next bartender’s showcase? Or do you have someone you’d like to nominate? Send me over a message! [email protected]