Michael Connors,
Manager and bartender at Salty Dog Saloon
So, how did you end up behind the bar?
I moved down here several years ago from Connecticut for school and wanted a job where I could make money quickly. I was sick of hourly wages and wanted to do something different, so I begged for a job at a bar downtown. I started as a bar back and learned how to bartend by watching the bartender, a guy who used to work behind the bar at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
What would you be doing if you weren’t a bartender?
Well, I have a degree in finance from UF, and ideally I would like to have a career as a financial consultant. I’m getting to that point now where I’m ready to move on and start my career, so when I’m not at work I’m sending out resumes and seeing what’s out there.
What has bartending taught you?
I hate everybody. It wasn’t always that way, but the longer I work here the more jaded I become. You definitely see a different side to people than you would outside of the bar. People become cheap, aggressive, and just rude when they drink too much. I used to always look for the good in people, now I just tend to believe that everyone is inherently bad.
What’s your secret cure for a hangover?
White Russians with a shot of Rumple Minze; or a lot of water. The cream will settle your stomach and the shot will give you enough of a buzz to help you feel better. The trick is getting it to stay down.
When you’re off the clock, what’s your go-to drink?
Scotch. Usually Black Label. I don’t really drink that much any more though; 90 hour-work weeks make that tough.
Yeah, that doesn’t sound very easy to manage.
It’s a fun job but I’m ready to move on. This is a difficult job to hold down a relationship. It’s hard to keep your girlfriend happy when you’re coming home at 4:30 in the morning.
If there was one drink you could convince people to stop ordering, what would it be?
Zipperheads. It’s such a girly drink. It was popular to order like eight years ago and I really wish it wasn’t making a comeback.
What’s your take on guys trying to impress girls with drinks?
Before you order a drink for a girl, always ask her what she wants, don’t guess. The perfect combination is to order a shot with the drink; it’s the best way to start a conversation. If you pair the drink with a fun shot that’s interactive and looks cool, you have a better chance of carrying on the conversation. And stop being cheap! If it’s a girl worth buying a drink for, you shouldn’t skimp on what you’re ordering.
What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve seen from behind the bar?
Too much weird stuff to even mention.
What’s your best piece of bartender wisdom?
Don’t embarrass yourself. If you’re a complete mess 90 percent of the time, no one is going to take you seriously. Also, when you go to a bar it’s important to respect the people serving you. If you take care of them, they’ll take care of you.
Michael Connors, manager and bartender at Salty Dog Saloon
