Bartending is no easy feat. Some nights seem to last
forever, some are so swamped you hardly know how you made it through the night
and you always have to deal with people who throw popcorn and proclaim their
love for anything that moves. In other words, it’s defiantly not for the faint
of heart or the meek. Lesley Leachman has been making sure glasses are topped
off for upwards of eight years and has always been drawn back by the second
oldest profession in the world. Be sure to stop in and see Lesley at the
Executive Inn’s Time Out Lounge.
N4U: How long have
you bartender at the Time Out Lounge and how did you get into bartending?
Lesley: I’ve been here two years and I started at the Wild
Hare about eight years ago. I have been bouncing around since then but I really
like it here.
What’s it like
working at the Time Out?
It’s a lot of regulars and also some people from out of
town. I want for them all to have a good experience so they will come back.
Every night is something different.
Any celebrities ever
come in?
Oh yeah, all the time! I’ve met George Jones and David Allen
Coe; both are fun guys…
What is your favorite
drink to make?
Anything NOT frozen! Just
kidding, people seem to like liquid cocaine right now and that one is kind of
fun.
What do you drink?
I’m a beer drinker. I also like a Southern Piece of Ass.
That sounds bad, huh?
Will you bartend New
Years?
Of course! I love
bartending holidays but my favorite is the firefighter’s convention. They are
good people and good tippers.
What was your best
tip ever?
$200 from one person at the Wild Hare.
Can you flip bottles?
When I’m really busy!
Do you plan on
staying in the big O?
Yeah, I have friends and family here.
What’s your
bartending pet peeve?
I can’t stand people banging ashtrays and glasses on the
bar.
What do you do when
someone is being ugly?
I call security! Sometimes, I feel like getting up in their
face but I always just call security.
What’s the best part
about bartending?
I love the people and all the new people you get to meet. I
have left before but I always come back. I just miss it.
What is the most
important tip you can give new bartenders and servers?
Attitude is #1!!
How does your family
fit into working these hours?
My family is pretty easy going. They understand it’s my job
and my income.
Do you get hit on a
lot?
I think everybody behind the bar does.
Does it help to be
hot?
Well, my uniform is really hot!
Any favorite
regulars?
All my regulars are my favorite! They always try to get me
to sing karaoke and I say, “I don’t think so! I’ll sing and dance behind the
bar but not up at the microphone.”
Best part about
working here?
It’s like a big family. I know it’s a corporate place but
all the employees are really close.