Bartenders Keeping Happy Hour Alive

Learn a little more about your favorite men behind the bar

We Love Our Bartenders:  Keeping Happy Hour Alive 

They keep us liquored up, they look pretty, they listen to our problems, and sometimes they pour a little extra.  Our bartenders at our favorite clubs in So Cal were informed in one day or less that their jobs were the latest victims of the pandemic.  They have been hit hard and God knows when, or if, the nightlife scene will ever return to normal.  We chatted with some of SoCal’s standout drink slingers, past and present, to see how life was treating them. 

Cory Z, The Abbey   IG: @CoryZ07

Cory Z got his start in modeling at the age of 18 for Abercrombie. He starred in the E! Network’s “What Happens at the Abbey”, a reality series that followed him as a bartender at the world-famous Abbey in West Hollywood followed up by a tumultuous run on MTV’s Ex on the Beach. He has appeared in mini challenges on both RuPaul’s Drag Race season 8 and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 2. He has also appeared in an episode of Teen Wolf and has done events all over the world.  Always adorable, always a troublemaker, always Cory Z. 

Love and relationships just don’t seem to bring you luck in reality TV – what has happened since your time on TV, any luck on the dating front?  Is it hard to date you?  What are your biggest turn-ons and turn-offs in dating?

Nothing too exciting has happened since my time on TV, unfortunately. As for dating, I have a better chance of winning the lottery. My biggest turn-offs in dating is jealousy, liars, and, most of all, cheaters. Biggest turn-ons would be someone with a good sense of humor who isn’t afraid to be themselves around me.

What would you say are the biggest misconceptions about bartenders and how they live their life?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that we are very promiscuous. That’s not the case for everyone. People tend to assume we are alcoholics as well.   (Yeah, ok, Cory…lol)

Craziest bartending story:

It would have to be when I was working at a bar in Florida. This girl came to order a drink. While she was ordering, another girl came right behind her and smashed her face into the bar screaming “don’t ever touch my bitch again! You got that?!” Literally insane. I needed a shot after that one.

Least favorite drink to make:

That would be a mojito – they take way too long to make when the club is slammed.

Celebrity you want to share your quarantine bed with:

Zac Efron. The quarantine could last for years if he were always in my bed.

Favorite quarantine binge watch TV show:

Right now, it’s Dead to Me and Hollywood on Netflix.

What would your drag name be:

My drag name would be Summer Clearance. House of Clearance (no one better steal that) TM

Strangest thing a hook up has done at your house?

Not leave

Tyler Booth, Flaming Saddles    IG: @TyTyBooth

Tyler Booth is the two-time winner of ‘Best of the Best Bartender of the Year’ by the Los Angeles Blade

and the Winner of Stoli’s local, ‘Cocktail Classic’ competition, and the title of, ‘Mr. Los Angeles’ by Werkkk.com.  He is a social media favorite and a total sweetheart.  Even if he did cut me off that one time. 

 Playing games is a big part of your life – on the courts and in front of a controller, that is.  Where are the hot gaymer gays hanging out at, is there like a private club, is it all online?

I highly recommend anyone new to the city to join a gay sports league and you’ll meet amazing people.

After joining the WeHo Dodgeball League, I met so many gamers and we’d all hang out at Gym Bar after playing.  There’s dodgeball, flag football, soccer, swim team, volleyball, and many more. Check them out at Meetup.com!

Sorry boys, Tyler is taken!  Are you self-quarantined with your boo?  How has that been working out?  Are you getting on each other’s nerves?  Any tips for someone stuck at home with their boo?

Well, we sure tried to keep a daily routine! But every day starts to feel like Sunday Funday! [Laughs]

Gym exercise turned into extended dog walks, we became one with nature and tried desperately not to go crazy!  I highly recommend board games, video games, and any kind of hobby or basic daily routine you can do together.  Exercise!  Morning walks, only drink liquor after lunch, and take turns cooking!  A daily schedule will save your sanity!  Don’t forget, alone time is important, either get lost in a book or find some way to isolate yourself from everyone in the room.  It’s important to enjoy “me time”.   Lastly, if you can, go home and spend this time with your family! Or find a quarantine buddy (1-2 people). 

Craziest bartending story:

Every day is crazy, performing every weekend, swinging on a rope, and doing death-defying stunts to choreographed dances while standing on the bar and pouring tequila all over people… Welcome to Flaming Saddles. Lol

Least favorite drink to make:

Water with no ice

Best kind of customer:

Someone quick and easy, and orders the same drink… We can speak telepathically. 🙂

What drink gets you in trouble?

Whiskey rhymes with crazy! [Laughs] Definitely any brown liquor.

Strangest thing you’ve had to wear to work:

When I worked at Here Lounge, every day would be something different, either we’d dress up as Tarzan, or body painted superheroes, anything was possible.

Favorite quarantine binge watch TV show:

Schitt’s Creek, Little Fires Everywhere, Ozark, Dead to Me, Stranger Things, The Good Doctor, My Hero Academia and Dragon Ball Super. 🙂

What would your drag name be:

Ooo She Stealin!

Strangest thing you have done during quarantine:

Learned Tick Tok choreography with my 10-year-old niece-in-law.

Unique talent you have that is non-bartender related:

I’m really good at sports, Martial Arts, and video games.

Who would play you in a movie:  

Zac Efron or Dave Franco

Kevin Spencer, HelpWeho.com  IG: @KevinGrantSpencer

Kevin is currently the director of audience development at Ranker.com after a stint as head of content for The Underwear Expert, which fans will never forgive him for leaving his infamous live streams. In a former life, he was a sometimes actor and bartender who put up with many of my shenanigans at Flaming Saddles in West Hollywood.  He is also instrumental in creating  WeHo’s Nights In (www.helpweho.com) and its efforts to raise money for the working community of nightlife. 

You are the epitome of the LA man – you’ve bartended, you’ve worked with guys in underwear, you’ve modeled, you’ve acted, you’ve posted selfies at Runyon, it’s all there…how did you come to be in LA, what was your journey?

Hmm, I hope that’s a compliment! I ended up here like most others, in pursuit of the elusive acting dream. Although, in all honesty, it wasn’t a lifelong dream to be here. Something just changed one day after living in NYC for a few years and Los Angeles looked like greener pastures. I saved up for a year and moved out with the minimum someone would need to start here. I probably threaten to move “somewhere! anywhere else!” at least once a year, but I think in my heart I know Los Angeles is home.

You seem to know when it’s time to move on and go to the next step or new job, some people are scared of changed and stay in their LA rut, what inspires you to kind of say, ok next stage?

I think for the most part I just follow my instincts and my interests. One thing that drew me to acting was the ability to live so many lives in so many circumstances and I don’t think that need ended when I moved on from the acting pursuit. I love trying new things, challenging myself to see if I can excel at them – maybe it’s the perfectionist in me – and once I’ve dabbled in something for a few years I usually get a little restless and try to find something new to pivot to. Honestly, most of the shifts in direction over the years came by sheer coincidence or luck; I just sort of trust in life and try to say yes to each new moment or opportunity.

Craziest bartending story:

When I was a cocktail waiter in a little dive bar on the UES of NYC, I had to run the Sunday back patio BBQ. On my first day, I had to light this janky grill by turning on the gas and lighting a match under it. Long story short, the explosion knocked me onto my back, and my boss only found out because, unbeknownst to me, my eyebrows were singed.

Strangest thing you’ve had to wear to work:

I worked at an ancient restaurant in Los Feliz called The Tam’O’Shanter for exactly three days. The main reason being that the male waiters had to wear tartan socks, knickers, and puffy shirts.

 Celebrity you want to share your quarantine bed with:

John Mulaney. I could use a good laugh, and you just know he’s an A+ cuddler.

What would your drag name be:

Kevita Peroni

Strangest thing you have done during quarantine:

There’s a sprawling apartment building across the street from me, and I think I’ve developed a serious case of Rear Window. I’m starting to know way too much about these people’s lives.

Unique talent you have that is non-bartender related:

I am one hell of a whistler, like could maybe win a Grammy for it if there was a category.

Eric Restivo, Flaming Saddles  IG: @ListenSweetie

Eric puts the ass in sassy. He has a whole lot to say and a whole lot of time to say it.  In addition to bartending, he hosts one of the most successful Karaoke nights on the WeHo Strip at Flaming Saddles and has served as DJ for their fabulous Drag Brunches as well as at Sofitel Hotel in Beverly Hills.  He also has an extensive musical theatre career and hails from the East Coast – hello Big Apple!

Any tips for someone singing karaoke for the first time?

Someone who is singing karaoke for their first time is usually the most nervous person you’ll deal with in one night. I make sure that everyone stepping up to the microphone receives the same amount of love post-performance. American Idol contestants and first-timers will receive the same amount of praise from the crowd.

Spill the tea, what kind of drama is happening behind the scenes at the bars?

I mean, there is drama in every bar, right? In my opinion, the drama does not come from the bar but from people who have a tough time separating personal life from work life. Anytime co-workers are dating is a time to be considerate about the things you say to each respective partner. It is important to leave work at work whenever possible!

Craziest bartending story:

I was bartending an all-day Sunday Funday party that happened to feature some top-notch lesbians. Lovely group, great music, etc. I had a customer from said event think that I was also a lesbian for close to 5 hours. It was only when I was off my shift that I had to break my lesbian lover’s heart and let her know that I was a very gay man.

Have you ever gone home with someone from the club after working?

100%, anyone who will wait the extra hour we spend cleaning and entering our tips is a one-night stand keeper. Usually.

Least favorite drink to make:

Mojito or Adios MF

Favorite quarantine binge watch TV show:

Anything on SHUDDER, I am a massive horror fan.

What drink gets you in trouble?

I tend to stick with rose or champagne for the most part, but tequila gets me in trouble.

Strangest thing you’ve had to wear to work:

Well, it will most likely be a facemask for when we return.

Alex DiDio, Gold Coast  IG: @MoviePunk13

He’s an actor, artist, and musician who made his Superbowl commercial debut this year as well as a barkeep extraordinaire at Gold Coast in West Hollywood.  He’s a bear lover who doesn’t mind sharing his pot of honey from time to time. 

So you bartend at Gold Coast – now we know the main strip of West Hollywood is trendy, chic and stereotypical Weho – then you have this little jewel in West Hollywood that seems to have escaped time and trends and exists as a staple where you can find any type of person hanging out there, even as early as 10:30 am (don’t ask me how I know) with drinks stronger than my belt, how is Gold Coast still around?

Gold Coast is one hundred percent still around because of the diehard loyalty of its customers. This bar opened six years before I was born, and I still have people telling me about the good old days they used to enjoy here. Most of them are local. Lots of them are regulars. The ones that have moved eventually find their way back. Even the employees are good customers. I’ve been working here for almost 6 years, and I’m still one of the newest additions. When your regulars and your employees go back that far, it becomes less like a business and more like a family.

Now, you have an older boo, that’s your thing – what are the biggest misconceptions about a young and older man being together?

I think the biggest misconception about older/younger couples is that the older one is usually perceived as more mature. My husband is 17 years older than me – we’ve been together over 7 years- and I can tell you his youthful energy has corrected my seething bitterness more than once. I’m the cranky, old, neighbor that doesn’t give your ball back. He’s the cartoon child that threw it in my yard.

Craziest bartending story:

This one time I was bartending, it was the beginning of December. It was a Monday happy hour.  I was by myself and we just got slammed out of nowhere. I guess not everyone had blown through their gift budgets yet. I was in the weeds, making drinks and cleaning glasses. In the frenzy, I knocked over two stacked glasses. I caught them before they fell, but they already broke. It sliced through the palm of my dominant hand right where the middle finger knuckle is. But it was busy, and I was by myself. So, instead of going to the emergency room to get stitches like a smart person, I washed it out myself then finished the remaining 3 hours of my shift with my gloved hand above my head. I went home with good tips and no hospital bill.

Best kind of customer:

The best kind of customer is generous, thirsty, respectful, and easy on the eyes. In any order, so long as ‘generous’ comes first.

Strangest thing you’ve had to wear to work:

The strangest is probably red fishnets, a plaid mini skirt, and red suspenders – complete with terribly done make up. For the past 23 years, Gold Coast has thrown a Red Dress Party every July, and this was my attempt at a punk rock look.

Celebrity you want to share your quarantine bed with:

The most recent one that comes to mind is Nick Frost. I like me some bears and he’s adorable in Into the Badlands (despite the show’s storyline). I’ve always liked him in the Simon Pegg movies but especially liked him after he taught Conan O’Brien how to hug.

 Favorite quarantine binge watch TV show:

So far, my favorite binge has been Ozark. It is a non-stop thrill ride of murder and anxiety. Jason Bateman’s directing was great, but Queen Mother Laura Linney’s icy performance as Wendy Byrde will make you shiver.

Strangest thing you have done during quarantine:

I purchased a mandolin/spiralizer kitchen utensil to cut my vegetables. We had to start cooking more since being quarantined and I wanted to heighten my culinary prowess. I’ve used it once.

Christopher Durbin, Hunters   IG: @CDurb66

Now we move over to my home away from home, Palm Springs, and one of the nicest bartenders you will meet.  Christopher is a Palm Springs resident of 18 years, a former Mr. Palm Springs Leather, and currently a bartender at Hunters. He loves to MC and hosts a weekly event at Hunters called Durbin’s Daddies.

Mr. Palm Springs Leather, my first assumptions that a Mr. Leather would be rough and gruff, sweating on you, smoking a cigar, and saying “ you want me to pierce you or pee on you first” – that is not the case…what are you the biggest misconceptions people have about the leather community?

The biggest misconception about Leather folk is that we are all one thing. That’s simply not correct. Though we all share the “leather umbrella”, we are as varied as any other community. We are men, women, trans, and non-binary. Many of us tend toward a little more non-traditional relationships in both sex and in day-to-day life. But Leather really is a feeling more than an act. And that can be enjoyed by anyone.

Tell me about Durbin’s Daddies – there’s respect & celebration for the daddy gays in Palm Springs, is the idea of ageism in the LGBT community changing?

Durbin’s Daddies is a function I host at Hunters on Thursday nights. It is a night for men who like daddies, ‘boys’ who like daddies, women who like daddies, and even other daddies who like daddies! I would certainly like to think ageism has kind of gone out of style. And I believe the success of Durbin’s Daddies might be an illustration of that.

Craziest bartending story:

Oh, there’s so many! LOL, I once had somebody ask me about the biggest tip I ever got, and when I told them, they gave me that, plus $100 more. So that was crazy.

Least favorite drink to make:

Bloody Mary

Drink that gets you in trouble:

I stay away from tequila. We are not friends. LOL

What would your Drag queen name be:

I’ve only ever done it once and I was called Amanda Carrington. If I were to ever do it regularly, I would call her Allison Chains.

Favorite quarantine TV show binge:

Hollywood on Netflix! I’m a huge Ryan Murphy fan.

Have you ever gone home with someone after working:

LOL….yes. But only rarely. When you’re a bartender, your business literally IS pleasure. So, I try not to blur that line too much more than it already is.

Adyr Villavicencio, Pump  IG: @AdyrVilla

Adyr Villavicencio is an up and coming actor in up and coming show “Aunt Cissy,” and an improv performer. He studied and engaged in entertainment in Hong Kong and is currently working his craft in LA and is also one of the most fabulous bartenders currently working at famed Pump, owned by Bravo TV personality Lisa Vanderpump.

Craziest bartending story:

Well, of all the fun and excitement the atmosphere of Pump brings, you can imagine.  There was an incident where a woman came with a younger bloke and began to make out in front of while taking their order. They stop the tongue tangle, look at me, and order two beers and two double tequilas. The gentleman kindly tells her that he’s off to the washroom, she smiles, looks at me and says, “He makes me come more than once a day,” as she rubs the tip of her glass. She then continues to graphically talk about…well…everything.  I smile and commend her, he comes back, and we all laugh until I cut them off. One week later, the same woman comes back with a different much older man dressed to the nines. I walk up to her and greet the couple. She stands behind the new man with her and puts her finger on her lips and shushes, me. I play along and pretend I don’t know her.  The man orders a Pinot Grigio, and a malt neat. Eventually, the woman goes to the washroom, and I continue the conversation with the new man she brought.  “What brings you to Pump,” as I pour his second glass.  “My wife and I are celebrating our anniversary, 10 years,” he continues.  “Wow, that’s amazing!  How has it been?” I reply.   Eventually, he loosens up and says that they haven’t had sex in months, and how frustrated he is. An hour or so goes by, they leave, and I continue to work.  One hour or so before last call, the same man comes back, a little tipsy, but functioning.  He orders a drink and asks for the bill. He gets the bill, returns it to me with a fat tip and his hotel key.  “My wife is passed out at home,” winks and sips his beer. He sits and waits till close, so I put that key to good use! [Laughs]

Least favorite drink to make:

The only thing I can say is, “the surprise me drink,” during peak. I don’t want to surprise

anyone during a bar full of hundreds of people. I usually, as a joke, give them water and say,

“SURPRISE!”

 Strangest thing you’ve had to wear to work:

French maid outfit with nothing under.

Celebrity you want to share your quarantine bed with:

Michael Fassbender

Favorite quarantine binge watch TV show:

Penny Dreadful, What We Do In the Shadows, Curb your Enthusiasm

What would your drag name be?

Marty Cone (translation – maricon is Spanish for gay)

 Strangest thing you have done during quarantine:

Eat peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwiches.

Unique talent you have that is non-bartender related:

I can pogo with no hands

Who would play you in a movie?

Robert Downey Jr

Vinny Daugherty, Wonderland OC  IG: @VinnyBeHappy

Vinny Daughtery, with a laugh that could melt your heart or sink ships, has been a part of nightlife in many different aspects.  Bartending in Times Square in New York, Castro San Francisco, and in San Diego’s Hillcrest, he has also served as general manager and promoter and, right before this stay home situation, was ready to launch his nightlife event Wonderland in ultra-conservative Orange County.

 What was your first bartending job?  What mistakes did you make when first starting out? 

My first bartending job was at Hi Tops in San Francisco, CA. It was one of the most incredible places I’ve worked! The first mistakes were probably making drinks a little wrong but acting like they were perfect. Sometimes it’s about being confident and they won’t know if you made it incorrect or not! Lol

Tell me about Wonderland …. In OC?  OC has seemed very resistant to gay nightlife – is that changing?

I believe LGBTQIA+ nightlife in OC is changing! I think the community wants something bigger than what Orange County gives them. Something more inclusive, upscale, and different than they have seen before! Wonderland will be a new age of resplendent fashion, divine inclusivity, and eccentricity welcoming all of Orange County and surrounding areas! Wonderland will be a bi-weekly event happening every FIRST and THIRD Thursday of the month. This event will be an LGBTQ+ party at Rumba Room Live at The GardenWalk in Anaheim, where you’re encouraged to come out in a LEWK! We’ll be having your favorite drag queens, kings, gogos, performers, DJs, and many more!

What would your drag name be?

Sharon Uber, because I’m always willing to share a ride.   (Writer’s note: yes, we’ve heard all about it)

Best kind of customer:

The customer who is respectful and generous!

Least favorite drink to make:

Honestly, I don’t really have a least favorite drink to make! I like to make all drinks, but the most complicated drinks are my favorite.

 Strangest thing you’ve had to wear to work:

I wouldn’t say it was strange, but a jockstrap.

You can catch the full interviews with these bartenders at www.OntheRocksRadioShow.com!

–              Alexander Rodriguez, writer and podcaster IG: @AlexanderisOnAir