“Many people die of thirst but the Irish are born with one.” -Spike Mulligan There’s a scene in Family Guy where Peter and Brian are in a plane flying into Ireland. Peter casually tells Brian “Ireland has more drunks per capita than people.” Brian is outraged and says “I don’t think the Irish drink as…

“Hope is a weapon, survival is victory.” -Dunkirk, 2017 I walked into the piano bar for an interview during the lowest point in my existence. It was 11 years into my career and I couldn’t get a bartending job to save my life. Some of it was due to the state of the industry at…

“When you gotta go, you gotta go.” -Dr. Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park Pointless confrontations occur in restaurants over petty issues all the time.  When I’ve bartended and someone came into the bar asking to use the washroom I always said yes and never cared. There are so many other things to worry about than caring…

When the MeToo phenomenon was at its height a movement in my city sprung up to highlight sexual harassment against local women. Unsurprisingly, much of the focus was on restaurants, bars, and male managers. Anyone who has spent time in the industry with at least half a brain knows how widespread disrespect against women in…

“In an Irish pub, you’re not just buying a drink, you’re buying a story.” -An old Irish proverb I have a messed up sense of humour. I’m that person who finds ridiculous, out of place, even stupid things, hilarious. Only my best friends share this humour, or more likely pretend to. My mom, who often…

“Work is the curse of the drinking classes.” – Unknown