First day on the job

Soooo….Saturday night was my first shift as a bartender. Not to mention, my first shift with Matt as my boss. It’s a 5-a-side football complex, but the reception/bar area can be rented out for parties. Last night I was serving a 24^th fancy dress (costume) birthday party. Talk about being thrown in the deep end. I was being trained by Matt but of course everything had a different name. Like everything had a splash of “lemonade” which is basically lemon and lime flavored soda or Sprite. Everything was “vodka lime and soda” or “vodka lemonade lime.” I was essentially learning all new drinks last night. One of the hardest parts was the hearing and understanding. For one, all of my friends will attest to the fact that I DO NOT have good hearing. I’m always asking them to repeat everything five times or saying “WHHHAAAATTT?” I’m so annoying, but I blame my mom’s side of the family. They never hear anything correctly. (Sorry Mom)! So try to imagine: me trying to hear these drink orders over the loud music AND in thick British accents…NO WAY! 

This is the complex where I work. That's Wembley Arena in the background where they hold tons of concert events.

Let’s also discuss how they rarely tip bartenders over here. It’s great for a night out because it’s a great money-saver, however, not so great when you’re the bartender. There were a couple generous (and drunk) men who would continue to leave their change with me as a tip…one in particular had the worst pick-up lines all night but some great tips. I misunderstood one of his drink orders and Matt made me pay four pounds of my tip money to replace it. Sad but I guess I had to learn. At the end of the night I was so excited to show Matt the money I had made in tips. I counted it up to show him and was feeling all proud of myself when he pulls out coins AND paper money all adding up to more tips than I earned! WHAT?! He then casually pulls a slip of paper out of his pocket and says, “Oh ya and I got some guy’s phone number.” So let me get this straight…he got more tips than I AND got a phone number. What gives? Apparently some guy dressed as a Mario Brother was telling him how he has connections and can get him anything he wants…whenever he wants for half the price! Uuuuhhhh what? It’s ok because I experienced one of the best chat up (pick up) lines ever dropped by a sketchy guy in a Jason mask. He told me, “You can’t be bought in a shop…that means you can’t be bought in a shop…because you’re priceless.” Huh? Oh ya because I’m American he had to explain what his crappy chat up meant….obviously. 

Another view of the complex with Wembley Stadium towering above. The short grey and green building on the left under the stadium is where the reception and bar area is located.

Matt and I were there until 2am cleaning up which was exhausting but at least we were together. So there you go, that was my first night as a bartender. Hopefully more adventures to come! I work Tuesday and Wednesday night this week bartending for sweaty, nasty footballers (it’s not what you think ladies).They are crude and ruthless (or at least that’s for who I’m preparing myself) Here goes nothing!

Anyone up for some night football?