New York City Bartenders & Patrons

So, as a bartender, I get the sneaky thrill of trying all the brand name liquor one might not always ask for by name. Sometimes I do it just to experiment. Sometimes I wanna drink and don't want to waste the more popular stuff. Either way, this is what I have found out:

There is a lot of really yummy, exceptional booze out there, sitting on the shelves, collecting dust that we aren't drinking. The first and foremost I want to mention, is SKYY vodka. If you like vodka and see it on the shelves ORDER IT!! It is actually smoother than Stoli or Absolut and has yummier flavors. Sky Berri and Soda is my current favorite (low cal) drink. Highly recommended.

Another is Tommy Bahama rum. Wow. A couple times I substituted for Bacardi (shush, don't get tell) and customers always said how much better it tasted. Its a diamond in the rough and most bars charge LESS than actual Bacardi or Captain M. (This is the stuff bar owners don't want you to know.)


Another thing I want to talk about is how we order. My father used to order the most expensive, name brand gin he heard about just for the sound of it. Could he really tell the difference? Probably not. Now, working in the business, I think it's cooler to order the high-end, smooth shit no one orders. If I'm in the mood for tequila, I will never order Patron. It's too easy, too popular. I will always order Corazon. The bartender is always impressed with my knowledge and my friends are always impressed on how tasty it is.
When it comes to gin, I leave the Sapphire for the guido's and I order Plymouth or Beefeater. The taste is unbelievably better, and you don't sound like a douche ordering it. It is amazing the respect you get from people around you when you know what to order!

I am always interested in learning about more so if you come across any less popular, but worth while spirits, let us know!


This one goes out to lying, cheating & stealing!
if you are going to lie, lie for a friend
if you are going to cheat, cheat death
& if you are going to steal, steal someone's heart!
Cheers!!