‘Sipping for Seniors’ Successful Again Because of Generosity on BOTH Sides of the Bar at Bailey’s
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POURING IT ON!
Carrie Rowlands Johnson
SARATOGA SPRINGS – The smooth, solid glass is warm between my fingers. A quick, hot bath between customers and I shove it back under the tap. My hand is timid, light. I pull back the handle and slowly pour the sparkling golden liquid into its wide mouth. The angle isn’t sharp enough. The pour is too slow. The foam builds too quickly, is too deep.
Across the bar, my editor (who we all know and love as Arthur Gonick) yells instructions: “tip the glass, pull the handle all the way back and allow the froth to run off into the drain.” Grateful for the guidance, I follow instructions. Much better. The beer sports the perfect-sized head as I hand it to my very first customer… not just of the evening, but ever! This is my maiden voyage behind a bar. A bit tricky at first, I quickly get into a groove as I etch a map into my brain. Wine glasses hang up to the right, pint glasses sit on a shelf just below and to the left of those are rocks glasses. I familiarize myself with the selection of wines, drafts and bottles.
Shannon, an experienced bartender here at Bailey’s, takes charge of the register. It’s my job to pour… and collect tips, which come in fifties, twenties, tens and fives… I’m guessing much grander denominations than those handed over on most nights. They are the main source of capital for tonight’s fundraiser, Sipping for Seniors, which benefits Saratoga’s Senior Center. I’m working side by side with my blogging partner and one of my besties, Lisa Champagne. We’re two of more than a dozen volunteer “guest” bartenders for the event.
We showcase our movie knowledge (and age) and throw out a few lines about getting all “Coyote Ugly” and jumping up on the bar. We don’t actually take the leap, however, as the music inside is much more subdued than what the live band is creating outside. Plus, our dancing skills could probably benefit from a few lessons first. We don’t even pretend to copy Tom Cruise’s skills in Cocktail, as flipping bottles and glasses would most definitely end in broken bottles and sliced fingers.
Paranoid about overlooking my next customer, I scan the crowd. Most of the faces are familiar— Saratogians with hearts for charity and fun who have swapped out ball gowns for blue jeans. Several are close friends who have stopped by specifically to support us. They tip generously. We throw it into the charity bucket. I’m honored.
A not-so-familiar face requests a Vodka Martini. While I am capable of mixing such a cocktail in my own home, I’m not so confident of the nuances of creating such a beverage for a paying customer. Pier Bruno, another guest bartender who has kindly agreed to stay well past his own shift, instructs me on chilling the glass, twisting the lemon.
The entire evening appears to run seamlessly, evidenced by the smiles and laughs pouring from around the room, the sign of a well-organized event. We’re told the final tally rings in at around 25-hundred bucks.
I hand the martini glass over to my customer, barely spilling a drop. He passes back a twenty. I reward him with a broad smile, thanking him for his generosity… and his patience. You can bet I’m not quitting my day job (kudos to all you bartenders out there – it’s definitely harder than it looks!)… although moonlighting every now and then does hold a strange appeal. Looking forward to pouring and stirring for you next time!
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IT’S A WHOLE DIFFERENT RUNWAY BEHIND THE BAR!
Lisa Champagne
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Cool temperatures didn’t deter supporters from showing up to the “Sipping For Seniors” fundraiser At Bailey’s Café in downtown Saratoga last Thursday evening. My blogging partner Carrie and I had the pleasure of participating at the event. We joined several local professionals as “guest bartenders.” All tips plus 20 percent of the food and beverage sales were donated to the Saratoga Senior Center.
Prior to the event, I wasn’t sure what the turnout would be or how many drinks I’d be pouring but when we entered the door at Bailey’s Café, we walked into a bustling scene: Crowded tables, friends chatting; heads tossed back with laughter. Drinks lined the bar while customers squeezed and leaned between wooden stools to carefully retrieve their orders. Sizable plastic containers strategically located in the middle and ends of the long wood counter patiently awaited the contributions and generosity of patrons. One by one, wrinkly green bills were purposely stuffed inside. All would be tallied at the end of the night.
As I looked to my left, a couple seated at a table were immersed in conversation. He mindlessly sipped his Guinness – the frothy white foam formed a thin line on his top lip, and magically disappeared as he lowered his glass. Her head tilted and eyebrows lowered she intently absorbed his words. Her right hand gently fingered the lime twist which garnished her martini. The busy scene that circled them caused little interruption.
As we moved further into the room I could hear the muffled sound of live music emitting from an enclosed outside patio; a reminder that this venue extended well beyond the front room.
Behind the bar was a smiling Mary Martin. Surrounded by a wall of liquor, she paced back and forth conversing with friends and looking to fill the next drink order. Her shift was just about over and the tall plastic tip containers were more than 2/3 full. Soon it would be our turn to debut our bartending skills….
As Carrie and I snaked our way through the crowd, we stopped and greeted by Lois Celeste and our editor Arthur. Lois is Executive Director of the Center and orchestrates all fundraisers. We met once before at an event late this summer. My take on Lois is she’s hardworking and focused.
Equally important, she is committed to her cause. The Saratoga Senior Center requires this type of commitment. Look at this activity calendar HERE and marvel!
The Center is a non-profit organization that is funded chiefly through grants and contributions. Support from local businesses like Baileys Café, who hosts this event a couple of times a year, and the Saratoga community at large is essential to their success. Lois’ positive demeanor when she greeted us, as well as my read of the room, affirmed the evening was going as planned. Carrie and I were quickly directed to the front bar. The time had come, we were ready to pour!
For the next hour or so Carrie and I hustled behind the bar. We poured, stirred and shook whatever was needed—my bartending skills aren’t great and a mixologist I am not. but I can pour a decent draught, deliver a glass of wine and work a crowd for tips! Hats off to Bailey’s Café’s Owners Sam, Matthew and Joe for allowing us to take the reins for an hour; and for supporting this cause.
I don’t think Carrie or I will be getting a job offer anytime soon but the good news is Saratoga Senior Center walked away with more than $2,500 in donations—I like to think we played a small role in helping. It was a great time and a terrific event. Kudos to the organizers! Be sure to come to the next one…
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GALLERY: A GALAXY OF STARTENDERS (AND THEIR FANS)!
Photos: Arthur Gonick
November 13, 2017
