GIAN QUITENO
Find him behind the bar at: The Eagle, 611 Hyde Park Hours: Noon-2 a.m. daily
Length of time working at current place?
I’ve been at Eagle Houston for a year and a half now. Honestly, the longest I’ve been at any bar. I love it here.
Nickname?
Giancarlo is my full first name, but I go by Gian (Jee-In), a nickname given to me by my sixthgrade teacher.
Lamest pickup line you’ve heard at the bar?
I could write a book on some of the lamest things I’ve heard. I just kindly smile and follow with, “What would you like to drink?” Someone recently asked me how much I weigh. I answered, and he responded with, “I would have said you weighed sexy.”
Most famous person you’ve ever served a drink to?
When I bartended in Nashville, I worked a lot of private events for the Country Music Association, so I had the privilege of meeting Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Kelly Clarkson and a few others.
Becoming friends with customers: yes or no?
Soft yes. I have my handful of loyal customers who I don’t mind grabbing a drink with when I’m off. They are usually the ones who can always make a long shift so much easier to get through.
Most common customer complaint?
I think all bartenders can agree with me when I say we’ve all been hit with “My drink isn’t strong enough.” It’s usually someone who I didn’t even make the drink for in the first place or someone who is drinking something extremely sweet, like Xrated and pineapple.
Song you’ve gotten sick of at work?
Anything by Taylor Swift.
Best tip you ever received?
My current partner had been coming to my bar for about a month and was very adamant on taking me out. It was the Sunday before Valentine’s Day, and I called him out for being a bad tipper. When he closed out his tab, he tipped me $300 and bought me a ticket to go to Vegas with him for Valentine’s Day. That was our first date.
What’s the sloppiest, drunkest thing you’ve ever seen on the job?
Everyone has already been deep into Sunday Funday when I come in at 9 p.m. You can only imagine some of the messes I have to deal with. I’ve had people follow me into back rooms by mistake, people trying to walk behind the bar and people who constantly ask to close out tabs that have already been closed out.
What’s the most outrageous request you’ve ever gotten?
I get a lot of people asking me to work shirtless. I work really hard for the body that I have, but I don’t want to be known just as the cute, shirtless, muscle bartender. I like people to know there is more substance to me than just being a gym rat. I’m actually a good bartender. But don’t get me wrong — I’m all for costumes when the occasion calls for it and am usually the one with the most extreme outfits.
Where do you like to go have a drink when you’re not at work?
I’m a homebody, but if I go out it’s usually on Thursday nights. I’m a sucker for a good spicy margarita, and State of Grace has a great one called La Parilla. When I’m in Montrose, I make sure to see some of my favorite bartenders at Mary’s Alibi. Ask for Issac or Reyna.
What’s your specialty drink, and how do you make it?
Regulars of mine always ask for my Mexican Candy Shot. I use Sauza Cucumber Chili Tequila, Watermelon Pucker, Triple Sec, lime juice and a little bit of Tabasco and Tajin chili powder on the rim.
THE HOUSTON BAR SCENE IS FULL OF PERSONALITIES — BAR STARS, IF YOU WILL. EACH WEEK IN PREVIEW, WE’LL FEATURE ONE OF THESE MIXOLOGISTS TO LET YOU KNOW MORE ABOUT THEM, ASIDE FROM HOW GOOD THEY ARE AT MAKING YOU FEEL GOOD.