SPIRITS HIGH AT CELEB NIGHT
Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich, former NFL players Wes Welker, Sebastian Vollmer and Chris Gronkowski, and ex-Celtic Brian Scalabrine were slinging drinks at Del Frisco’s last night for hair-transplant specialist Dr. Robert Leonard’s annual celebrity bartending event.
But before they headed behind the bar, the jocks placed their bets on the best bartender of the bunch — and the general consensus was Welker.
“Besides myself? I’m going to say myself,” said Welker, who, in addition to landing a new job as an assistant coach for the Houston Texans, just welcomed his third child.
“I’ll be very attentive, chat it up with customers,” he said. “If you’re a good bartender, you have to engage with the customers. … And I’ll be pouring strong drinks. Strong is the key word.”
In case you’re wondering just how strong, Welker specified: “Usually shots. Jagerbombs.”
Scalabrine’s strategy echoed that of Welker’s, proving he, too, could be a major mixologist.
“I don’t know how to make any drinks, but I have a heavy hand,” Scal said. “That counts for a lot, right? Plus, we’re in Boston so we can do no wrong.”
In terms of his personal taste, the fiery redhead said he tends to reach for spirits sans sweeteners.
“Anything without sugar: a martini — maybe a flavored martini — tequila with lime or some jalapenos,” he said. “No sugar, no fillers.”
Vollmer jokingly argued that both he and Welker would make the best bartenders because they’re the best drinkers. But he’s on the opposite end of the beverage spectrum from Scalabrine.
He’s one ex-Pat who’s all about those sweet, sweet libations.
“My personal drink is rum and coke with lime,” he said. “If I’m in the islands, definitely a painkiller.”
No German stereotypes for Vollmer.
Ninkovich, who’s all about “getting some bourbon going” and loves a quality old fashioned, seemed to be more concerned about his ability to stay awake than his pouring skills.
“I don’t go out that much anymore,” he confessed. “Once you hit 33 and you have kids, going out becomes less of a priority.”
Chuckling, he added, “I can’t make it to midnight without yawning.”