Bartending is a profession sometimes glorified by movies such as "Coyote Ugly" and "Cocktails." UNM junior Laurie Kraw, 32, has been a bartender for five years at the Monte Vista Fire Station.
Daily Lobo: What made you decide to start working as a bartender?
Laurie Kraw: I started working as a cocktail waitress to make money for school, and the hours were flexible. I fell into the lifestyle.
DL: What are some of the advantages of working here?
LK: The hours, and it is fun. It's a good way to exercise.
DL: What are some of the drawbacks?
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LK: You have to have a lot of patience. People get pretty belligerent because alcohol is involved. With the new laws being passed, you have to really cover your ass, because serving minors is a fourth-degree felony.
DL: How much do you make each night?
LK: I make anywhere between $80 on a slow night to $200 plus on a good night.
DL: What was your first impression of the job?
LK: I had already been working in the service industry. I knew what it was going to be like, but I didn't realize how much fun it could really be. It can be really distracting from life though, if you're not careful.
DL: Have your ideas of this job changed after working as a bartender?
LK: Now that I am older, I have a lot more discipline. It is a great job to keep. I mean you can take your cash home with you each night. If you have a goal, it is easier to stay disciplined.
DL: Talk about the regulars.
LK: I like them. There are tons in this bar especially, because it is older and has built a large clientele in the Nob Hill area.
DL: Have you made many friends working in the bar?
LK: Yeah, definitely. We have regulars, but I have met some really good friends just from working here. It is like networking. You meet so many people - not intentionally. It just happens on its own.
DL: What is this place like on weekends?
LK: Pretty busy, but Tuesday is our busiest night by far among the college students. It is a very eclectic group of people that come in here from the neighborhood, freshmen and professors. I think it is because Tuesday is wing night, and it has just turned into college night.
Girls get all dressed up, and all kinds of people show up. I'd say it is because of the wings, but it is probably a little more than that.
DL: How do you handle drunken students?
LK: Usually people mind their own business. They generally know how to act, and when they do get into fights, we cut people off. People mostly come in groups. It is the whole safety in numbers thing. They come in and take care of each other. If not, we usually call a cab.
DL: What would you say to a student who would like to try bartending?
LK: Go for it. It's a lot of fun but a lot of work. My advice is just to keep your priorities in life and stick with your plan.
-Xochitl Campos
