DON’T ASK THIS BARKEEP TO LICK YOUR GLASS.
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.
Find her behind the bar at: The Secret Group, 2101 Polk
Length of time working at current place? I have been working at The Secret Group for well over a year now.
Nickname?
Some bar patrons call me Zuul, a “Ghostbusters” reference to Sigourney Weaver’s character Dana Barrett.
Lamest pickup line you’ve heard at the bar? The time when a guy asked this girl if she had a boyfriend. When she confirmed that she was in fact taken, he assured her that it was no problem as he was “very discreet.”
Most famous person you’ve ever served a drink to?
Last year I served comedians T.J. Miller and Carlos Mencia. A few weeks ago I made drinks for slam poet Neil Hilborn, and I was able to hang out with Anthony Mackie, who plays Falcon in the “Avengers” movies. Song you’ve gotten sick of at work?
Saturday nights are ’90s night, and I have repeatedly requested the DJ not play “Wannabe” by Spice Girls for the millionth time.
What’s the sloppiest, drunkest thing you’ve ever seen on the job?
One particular evening a customer lets me know there were too many feet in the men’s bathroom stall. So I and the door man Greg checked. Sure enough, there were two pairs of feet facing the same direction. We knocked on the door; moments later a couple emerged. The woman gave dirty looks and the man seemed fairly relaxed. On Tuesday nights we have a stand up comedy show called “Trash Flavored Trash.” If you want to hear the full version of what happened, Greg turned it into a hilarious bit.
What’s the most outrageous request you’ve ever gotten?
I once had a customer ask me to, and I quote, “Lick the glass for good luck.” I slid his Amaretto Sour across the bar with an uncomfortable smile followed by, “Would you like to close out?”
Where do you like to go have a drink when you’re not at work?
In the daytime I am all about going to Double Trouble for my fix: a Jameson and espresso back. I strongly suggest it. If I’m off work before last call, Neil’s Bahr. It’s walking distance, and I am always in the mood to school someone in Super Smash Brothers. I’m also a fan of Harrisburg Country Club. The pool tables are quaint, and it’s not too crowded.
What’s your specialty drink, and how do you make it?
I was recently a competitor in
What’s something your customers may not know about you?
I am an actress for The Barbarian Bombshells, a song and comedy act at the Texas Renaissance Festival. I also speak Japanese.
Know someone who deserves the spotlight? Email joey.guerra@chron.com. twitter.com/joeyguerra the Espolon Cocktail Fights and came up with a green tea-infused tequila cocktail called The Green TeaCock: 1 bar spoon of turbinado 3/4 bar spoon green tea 1/2 bar spoon honeysuckle liquor 1/4 bar spoon lemon juice two dashes of mint bitters 1 1/2 bar spoon Espolon Silver Tequila Shake and strain into a rocks glass, or a teacup if you want to be fancy, and garnish with a green teabag or dehydrated lemon wheel with matcha powder.