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Ben is originally from Australia, but you can now find him behind the bar at Barcelona South Norwalk. By Olivia Canada, Barteca intern.
Q: How did you get into bartending?
A: I played professional rugby in Australia and part of playing rugby was that we had to man the clubhouse after the game, and that’s how I got into bartending. I also traveled the world working from bars in London, the Greek Islands, and Turkey. I’ve worked in a lot of bars and it’s been a really great job.
Q: What do you love most about your job?
A: Meeting people and the freedom to have a job whenever you need a job. It’s pretty awesome. But meeting people, meeting really interesting people and for some reason when you’re a bartender, people will tell you things they wouldn’t tell other people—so that’s always pretty cool.
Q: What kind of personality/skills do you need to have in order to be a good bartender?
A: That’s easy, being a bartender is not even about the skills, it’s about personality—it’s about being able to talk to people straight away. And sometimes you need to know how to sum people up as soon as they walk in the door. So you need to know what kind of drink this person is going to ask for, and have an idea already. You also need to know if some people are intoxicated, if there’s going to be an issue, to keep your eye on them. People walk out, don’t pay their bills. So you have to know how to sum people up pretty quick. And after you’ve been a bartender for a while, you know.
Q: How important is it that you know/understand about the spirits, beers and wines?
A:
It’s pretty important, but I found that you can’t know everything. The thing is, people know what they want. It’s important to know the basics though, you know. Because everywhere you’ll need to know the basics.
Q: Define the perfect cocktail.
A: It’s all about the climate—where you are. If I’m in Spain, a mojito’s fantastic, but I couldn’t do a mojito in Connecticut. It’s too cold. The perfect cocktail has to set the mood for the surroundings. So, when you’re in Spain, make a mojito. When you’re in Connecticut, something warmer. Maybe a little whiskey cocktail instead.
Q: What drink at Barcelona is your personal favorite?
A: The Bourbon Spice Rack, it has a really good blend of spice and sweetness in it. It’s a really good drink because sometimes people want to get into whiskey and it’s a really good way to get into it because it’s not too over the top and the lemon blends it together well.
Q: What’s your best advice to at home bartenders?
A: Don’t get caught up in the rules and regulations of being a bartender because it’s all about experimenting, looking into things and seeing how you can tweak them. It’s like being a chef, it’s all about what you enjoy. Just because it says that’s how it has to be, it doesn’t have to be that way.
Q: What’s your hidden talent?
A: My hidden talent is customer service. Just being able to communicate with customers and building relationships really quickly. It’s what I enjoy. I enjoy meeting people, I enjoy building that relationship.
Q: As a bartender, style is also essential. What are a few must have items in your closet?
A: A black shirt, good comfortable shoes because you’re on your feet for 15 hours and that’s the hardest thing. And for me, it’s about comfort not style. So trying to get through a shift and not being in agony is always good.
Q: What is your dream job?
A: My dream job would be to have my own business in this industry one day. Then I would have the freedom to create.
Q: If any song could describe your life as a bartender, what would it be?
A: “8 Second Ride” Jake Owen
Q: What is the best drink that YOU have ever been served?
A: I’ve had some amazing red wines traveling around; I can’t remember their names. But I would say red wine. But there’s a beer sold in America called Left Handed Milk Stout and it’s probably one of the best beers I’ve ever had.