Clean Barrels

This is a story about a wind up that I’ve actually managed to pull of 3 times now and it will never get old…

As well as Cocktails, I’ve always had a heavy passion for Real Ale. Cocktails and Real Ales has a nice ring to it don’t you think!? Well, anyway. Every Bar I’ve run, I’ve always managed to have 5+ Real Ale lines in and been fortunate to have a high throughput through them. My empty barrels a week would range between 10/12 up to 30. That’s a lot of cellar work.

At one particular Bar I ran had a cellar that was outside and down some steps. We had to bring all the empties up the night before delivery day as they’d just be in the way otherwise. The first time I ever managed to pull this wind up off was the week after Fresher Week in Cambridge Uni many years ago. It was a very busy week and we had about 20 barrels to bring up. At that time of year as well, I also had a few new guys just starting out behind the Bar. I always preferred to hire inexperienced people as I could train them up to what I wanted, as opposed to inheriting Bad traits from poor Chain Pubs.

One fresh faced youngster I employed was always super keen to impress. He’d read up on Cocktail recipes. He’d be the first one in and the last one out. He’d be the first one to jump in front of guests as they came up to the Bar. To be fair, he was a legend. One of my finest protégés. But like all super keen people, they tend to be the most gullible.

One night while it was quiet he offered to help me bring up all the barrels. So we set about getting all the empties out of the Cellar and carrying them around to where the Deliveries got dropped off. Brilliant. A 15/20 minute job cut down to 5. However, after we’d finished, he innocently asked if he could help with anything else, to which my eyes lit up like Christmas trees…

Yeah I replied, they all need washing out.
Really?! He asked.
Yeah, of course. They won’t take them back dirty, they have to refill them with Beer!!

Well, never in a million years did I expect him to believe me, but he did!! Hook, line, sinker!! There he was 45 minutes later with a bucket of Hot soapy water, a deck scrubber and a hose pipe to rinse them out afterwards. I have never seen Barrels so clean before! I never did have the heart to tell him, I just made sure that he never worked a Wednesday night again…

Thirsty Social Club

Thirsty Social Club is a brand new Pop-Up Cocktail Party courtesy of the Thirsty Crew. I’ve wanted to create my own events for a while, however the long standing issue I’ve had, is finding somewhere that’ll (a) let me take my own booze and (b) that people can get to easily without having to drive!

Well, finally I’ve found success in the form of the Red Lion at Whittlesford Bridge, which is bang on the main Cambridge – Liverpool Street Train Line and last trains to London, Cambridge, Ely, Kings Lynn are at 11pm. Perfect!!

 

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You are Invited!
Thursday 6th August – 7 till 11pm
@ the Red Lion, Whittlesford Bridge
£20

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What is the “Thirsty Social Club”?

The idea behind the Pop-Up is mainly to create my brand of fun, mixed with really tasty drinks! My love is creating drinks that average Joe public can replicate at home, using ingredients that can easily be found in a local supermarket or from my favvy online drinks supplier. I love to give you ideas and Drinkspiration, but I also love to be different. So no, I’m not about the Pimms and Lemonade. I’m about the stuff you’re maybe too scared to try out.

The event is open to EVERYONE. Everyone that has a sense of Fun and a Smile!
Dress code is “Dress to Impress”

 

Each Pop-Up will showcase 2 different Brands!

At the moment, this is just a one off. But I’d love for it to go well, so we can run these regularly. Maybe every 6 weeks or so. The limit will always be 50-60 people…kind of exclusive.

The 2 brands I’ve chosen for the first ever Thirsty Social Club are the brand new Jim Beam Apple and Old J Spiced Rum.

We’ll create a small, but perfectly formed Cocktail list, that’ll cater for all tastes, that will best show off these amazing Spirits. Included in the ticket price will be 2 Cocktails and Canapés, but the Venue is also allowing us to sell our Cocktails on the night too. Their Bar will also be open for Beers, Wines and Softies.

 

So come on, get yourself booked in;

bit.ly/thirstysocialclub

Register your interest by filling out the Form. We’re doing this as cheaply as possible and circumnavigating Eventbrite’s fees and giving you the option to pay by BACS if you want to. All invoices will be sent out from Xero, and yes of course we can take Cards, but there will be a 3.8% fee.

 

Alls that’s left to say is, I look forward to seeing you there!!

Who is Steve the Barman?!

I am the famous Steve the Barman. At the time of writing, a 37 year old veteran of the Cocktail and Bar scene. My cuddly persona, cheeky smile, my AMAZING Wardrobe filled with crazy Shirts…and award winning brand of Wind Ups and Sarcasm are what set me apart from many Guys and Gals behind the stick.

I was born and bred down in Cornwall and that will always be my spiritual home…I’m definitely a Beach/Water guy…but I’ve lived up in Cambridgeshire for 25 odd years.  My whole working life has been spent in Pubs, Bars and Restaurants ever since I turned 18.  I never went to Uni.  Instead, I went into Pub Management during my A Levels as an 18yo!  I went from Greene King to Cambridge University, to a few independent venues, to finally setting up Thirst First.

My Cocktail Training actually came from London.  As a 20/21 year old, I really wanted to learn.  I bought books and read recipes, but at the time there were no decent Bars in Cambridge to hone my skills.  So I managed to get a few Volunteer gigs on my days off in the big smoke.  For 5 or 6 months I did it for free, but the knowledge I gained was superb.  Sadly, those Bars don’t exist now…but the memories live on!

My Philosophy on Life;

If it ain’t fun, it ain’t worth doing!

For me now, it’s all about working to live and creating memories.  I do love the Hospitality trade, but working Every Friday to Sunday, Christmas and Easter for years on end, does come hard.  Now I have that luxury to just say No. Today is a fun day!  I have that luxury to close down over the Christmas Holidays!  I had 3 weeks off last Christmas and it was probably the most relaxed and fun Christmas I’d ever had!

My Mission;

Well  have 2!!!

Firstly, to outlaw the word Mixologist. It’s a poncey name.  We’re all Bartenders.  Some have different passions to others, granted.  I’m not interested in creating Tomato & Basil Spheres for a Bloody Mary.  Yeah it’s cool, I can’t deny that, but that’s not what you guys really want.

Secondly, I love giving you guys some “Drinkspiration”. Amazing drinks that you can make at home with ingredients you can get from your local supermarket!

 

Thirst First

Thirst First (or Thirsty for short) is in its 3rd year. Fresh enough to still be the cool new kid on the block, but experienced enough to be one of the best in the Biz.  All of us Mobile Bars should be professional, experienced and have amazing Customer service.  That’s a given isn’t it?  If its not, you’re in the wrong Business.  What I care about is YOU.  I go that extra mile.  I only use top notch ingredients.  We don’t compromise.  Don’t believe me?!  Well then check out our reviews. See when you care about the person you’re serving as much as I do, then you can afford to brag about the feedback I get.

After spending years pouring nothing but Pernod Ricard brands…Havana, Beefeater, Absolut…I wanted something a little different for Thirsty.  So I have started working with Maxxium.  They’re super cool and have some amazing brands…and some really fun ones too. My core brands are Stolichnaya, No3 Gin, Brugal Rum and Jim Beam.  But then I also get to play with Midori, Galliano and Sourz too! It’s the Brands that you guys love.  It’s the Brands that put the smiles on your faces.  And it’s the Brands that make some really cool drinks.  Couple that to my favourite Juice brand, Eager…who make 100% pressed and squeezed juices, with no concentrate…then I can’t help but make you Awesome Drinks!

 

Question I get asked the most; “Do you juggle Bottles?”

Nope, I’m not a circus act. I entertain people by making tasty drinks instead.

To be honest, I’ve never tried.  What put me off was years ago when I was working in a very busy Bar.  I had a dude on the station next to me juggling bottles.  He was brilliant.  But the customers in front of him just wanted a drink.  Their faces told a thousand words.  Flairing is Cool.  Serving people fast is way cooler!

 

Weapon of choice;

Rum. No, Vodka…ooo no, Tequila.  Actually, no it has to be Rum. I couldn’t live without a Dark and Stormy or a Spicey Stormy!!

 

What do I do outside of #ThirstyWorld?

Well gone are the days of following Liverpool all over Europe with my trusty Season Ticket.  Now I have found a new Home.  I LOVE NETWORKING…4Networking to be precise.

I’ve been a member of 4N for 18 months or so now.  Attended nearly 200 meetings up and down the UK. (Here’s my profile!) For me getting 25+ businesses together in a room, sharing, collaborating and helping each other is an amazing feeling.  I don’t use Networking to sell my Business.  Yes it helps build my brand and I’m now known nationally in 4Networking, but I’ve found that because I’ve done everything myself for my Business, I have a wealth of knowledge and experience that can help others grow and be successful. I’m not an expert by any means, but I do know a lot of stuff that a lot of people probably don’t!

I do love a good cup of Coffee and a Cooked Breakfast. So give me a shout if you wanna meet up for a chat about anything. I’m a serial networker, I do at least 2/3 meetings a week and I love chatting Business.

So that’s me, the first of many blogs!  Catch ya soon.