Bartending is a bit like acting. Restaurants and theaters both use the term FOH, or Front of House, when referring to the areas that are open to the general public. When FOH, game face is a must. Nowhere is that more true than on a stage – or behind a bar – you’re always “on,” and if you aren’t entertaining or genuine, then you won’t keep a crowd.
We here at WCDish thought it was about time to bring back our “Meet the Bartender” series and give due recognition to our favorite local entertainers. They sling our drinks, make sure we have a good time and begrudgingly smile at even the rudest of customers.
Enter “The Lesley Show,” the first in our revival of this column. Born and raised “in the sticks of West Chester,” Lesley Young-Klein says she still doesn’t know what she wants to be when she grows up. Having worked at Ryan’s Irish Pub in West Chester for a little over 10 years now, this busy wife and mother describes her bartending style as “effective,” and took some time to share a few tricks, treats and pet peeves of her trade.
How have you survived ‘in the biz’ so long? How have you stayed out of drama?
I’ve survived being in the biz so long because I have a mortgage and my husband and I like to eat out a lot (smiles). As for the drama… no time for that when you have a family and a small arsenal of animals to take care of!
How do you stay calm when encountering rude or wasted customers?
I wait until I’ve turned around to develop Tourettes.
Favorite memory of working at Ryan’s?
Working the night the Phils won the World Series! The place was electric!
Favorite way to make a slow shift go faster?
I’m a crossword junkie! So feel free to help any time you see me working on one.
Day crowd or night crowd?
I prefer waiting on anyone that has any sense of dignity and has not been raised by wolves.
Best/Worst tip you ever got?
Take the Jets in the over.
Best/Worst bar etiquette?
Don’t “YO!” me or any other bartender, ever! It’s rude. I see you. I also see everyone else. Also, please don’t pull up drink recipes on your phone. If you don’t know how to make a “Dead Smurf,” you shouldn’t order one.
Favorite summer event in town?
Any event where Captain Dick’s Ribs have a stand! True story. Try them and you will be hooked for life.
It may have seemed like a good idea at the time, but…
Smacking that bull on the ass turned out to be pretty harmful.
On my day off, I can’t wait to…
Sleep and pretend to go to the gym.
Tell us a little bit about your family.
I’m married to an amazing man with even better abs, he owns his own granite company, so if anyone needs some counters and or a wet bar check out www.venetiantops.com. Shameless plug (smiles). We have a beautiful eight-year-old daughter, who I’m positive is one of the funniest people on the planet, not to mention the sweetest. She’s been known to give out her last piece of gum!
Signature Drink?
It’s called “Swimming with the Gators.” I learned this when I lived in Gainesville 100 years ago. It’s sour mix and melon schnapps, shaken and poured into (a shot) glass. Next drizzle in some Razzmatazz – this will sink to the bottom. Lastly top with Jaeger, it floats and looks like a swampy layered mess.
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