Bottoms Up!
They mix a mean mojito, pour the perfect draft, and make you feel like your the most important person at the bar. We asked you to nominate your favorite and here are our ten finalists! Now it’s up to you to vote for your favorite! Polls will be open until July 18. (To vote – click the link at the bottom of this article.)
top two photography images by Deb McCarthy
John Mayer – Local 149
How long have you been tending bar?
I’ve been in the hospitality industry since 2000. I started as a
server, but like most servers I was kind of into alcohol. I’d jump
behind the bar any time someone gave me a chance. I became serious
about my beverage studies in 2008 as a full time bartender after a
brief career in music.
Favorite part?
I live three blocks away from Local 149 and most of our guests come
from nearby, which means I get to serve my neighbors. Introducing my
neighbors to cool drinks and giving them an awesome experience is why
I do this.
Favorite drink to make?
Whatever makes someone happy. I personally favor strong drinks that
are all booze (generally tequila or mezcal), no citrus or other
mixers; but that’s not every person’s cup of tea. If you don’t say
“hell yeah” at the first sip, I don’t like making the drink. That
said, I’m mighty fond of the “1836”; Añejo tequila, Campari, Sweet
Vermouth and xocolatl mole bitters served over ice.
Weirdest request?
Pumpkin beer on a 90 degree day in August. To me, that’s like curling
up to a fire on a snowy night with a watermelon and listening to the
Beach Boys.
Do you get hit on?
Only when I keep my left hand out of sight. Remember I live three
blocks away, which means that my wife does too. It’s probably best to
keep that ring out in the open.
When do you work?
Generally Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights as well as Sunday brunch.
Kelly Cantore – STATS
How long have you been tending bar?
I have been bartending for around 6 years.
Favorite part?
My favorite part would have to be no early mornings…
Favorite drink to make?
A Stoli vanilla white Russian with a splash of Doctor McGillicuddys. Very popular on Sunday Funday!
Weirdest request?
The weirdest request for a drink, I have ever gotten was a guy asked for a glass of white milk… Strange!
Do you get hit on?
I work at stats, everyone that works at stats gets hit on..
When do you work?
I work Monday doubles, Thursday nights, Saturday nights, and Sunday Funday brunch. Come visit!!
Stephen Tallent – The Cornerstone
Eddie Downs – The Atlantic Beer Garden and The Playwright
Kim Sweeney – Touchie’s Shamrock Pub
Mark Medico – L Street Tavern
How long have you been tending bar?
I have been bartending since 1986, 36 years, I guess that makes me old.
Favorite part?
My favorite part is the money and socializing with the customers.
Favorite drink to make?
My favorite drink to make is a Manhattan, extra sweet with a little cherry juice, I also don’t mind drinking them once in a while.
What the weirdest request?
Weirdest request was David McDonald ordering a Zima with grenadine and another customer Barry drinking white zinfandel with amaretto.
Do you get hit on?
The stronger I make the drinks the more I get hit on.
When do you work?
I work at Woody’s L Street Tavern on Wednesday and Sunday nights.
Mike Shaw – The Whiskey Priest
Peter Cipriani – Franklin Southie
I’ve been bartending for 18 years.
Favorite part?
My favorite part is shooting the shit and laughing.
Favorite drink to make?
My favorite drink to make is the one that will make someone happy.
Weirdest request?
I was once asked of me my attitude toward donating my half of a zygote for another couple.
Do you get hit on?
Never.
When do you work?
I work Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday night at the Franklin Southie.
Karen Attardo – Amrhein’s
12 years. I’ve worked at a lot of different types of bars & restaurants on the south shore over the years, but I settled into Amrhein’s five and a half years ago.
Favorite part?
My favorite part about bar tending is the social aspect of it. I don’t like to sit at a desk or on a computer. I like to be around people and constantly be moving. Even if your having a bad day when your behind the bar you pretty much have to smile and be social the whole time. I also work with one of my best friends on Tuesday and Saturday nights. There’s a lot of practical jokes and goofing around. We love to get the customers involved! They call it the Karen and Lisa show! Working at Amrhein’s is a lot of fun. We have great food, a comfortable & beautiful atmosphere, an awesome staff, and the best regulars & customers than any bar/ restaurant I have ever worked at!
Favorite drink to make?
My favorite drink to make would be a Bud Lite (just kidding) :) I like to play around with drinks. I have regulars that come in and tell me to make them something, whatever I feel like. So it’s constantly changing. But if I had to pick one that everyone always loves, it’s a martini called the antioxidant. It’s Veev acai berry vodka, pomegranate juice, fresh lemon juice & a splash of simple syrup. I put a few blueberries on a drink stirrer and lay it right on top of the martini glass rim. It’s so pretty and tastes amazing.
Weirdest request?
I could write a book about the weirdest or strangest requests I’ve had over the years. Recently though I have this guy that keeps asking me to watch his dog for him while he goes on vacation, and he is dead serious!! It’s weird! I’m a bartender not a doggie daycare!
Do you get hit on?
I think anyone that works behind a bar gets hit on. Sometimes it’s flattering and sometimes it’s a little creepy. I take it all in stride, boys will be boys! No matter how old they are! I prefer the funny guys, you don’t need pick up lines if you can make a girl laugh!
When do you work?
My shifts at the bar are Monday lunches, Tuesday night, Friday night and Saturday nights. I also am a makeup artist so in the summers I have a lot of weddings on Saturdays but 9 times out of 10, I’m there!
Tim Malley – The Seapoint
How long have you been tending bar?
I‘ve been bartending about 15 years.
Favorite part?
My favorite part is that I get to come into Southie every week. I grew up there and I love seeing the regulars and the newer customers. It keeps me connected to my home town.
Favorite drink to make?
My favorite drink to make is a Bloody Mary. If you want the best Bloody Mary I recommend coming by the Seapoint on Sunday in the day when I am working.
Do you get hit on?
I used to get hit on but not as much lately. I tell myself its because they somehow know I’m married. But I do flirt. Especially after I was told by my wife that its ok if it gets me tips.
Weirdest request?
The weirdest request I can think of is when I was asked if we could make a cheese pizza without the cheese and extra sauce
114 Comments
Comments are closed.
Where’s Mike Doran on the list?
You’re the Best!
I’d like to vote for Mark Medico!
My comment exactly, Where is Mike Doran! I’m writing him in for Best Bartender!
Mike Doran all day.
I vote for Eddie Downs from the ABG and the Playwright! Where is the supposed link at the bottom of the article though????
Funny how no female bartenders from the Cornertsone are on here, I know why they force me to drink elsewhere they are so bad, However Steve is great I look forward to getting out of work and have a few drinks with him , Best in Southie by far!
We have great bartenders in South Boston! Some are on this list and some are not…If I am going by the 10 best…….(you are all great) I think all but one have waited on me… :) and you did an awesome job.
My vote has to go to Mark Medico! I think he is awesome and we always have a great time when he is working and I love going to Nunzio’s for a cold drink in the summer months. He puts his heart and soul in his job and there is never a dull moment.
Timmy Malley is my runner up…he makes the best bloody marys on Sunday for Sunday Funday at Seapoint!
Mark, when is that elevator getting fixed?
Best of luck to all of you… you all deserve to be named Best Bartender in South Boston!
…Actually has to be able to bartend to make the list.
Kim Sweeney!
Kelly Contore
It takes one to know one! I’ve tended bar in Southie as well as a 5 star Hotel in the South End. Tim mixes the BEST Bloody Mary, and you’ve got to come in to try one, and meet Tim in person! Having great people skills as well as mixing any drink you’d like, quickly and with taste, are just few of the many skils Tim Malley has! Love you, Tim!
It takes one to know one! I’ve tended bar in Southie as well as a 5 star Hotel in the South End. Tim mixes the BEST Bloody Mary, and you’ve got to come in to try one, and meet Tim in person! Having great people skills as well as mixing any drink you’d like, quickly and with taste, are just few of the many skils Tim Malley has! Love you, Tim!
Doran #1
mark medico is the best hnads down better then an of these other people
Mark Medico is the man !! “The Best Bartender “
“Thats right” haha
Always has a Frosty Glass and answers to my sport Questions.
Hands down my vote is for Karen Attardo at A’z
She makes the meanest Oxi, Pink Leomanade’s and many other cocktails,
also fun & energetic.
Mark Medico is the best bartender!
MARK MEDICO!!!!!!!!!
Solid and skilled bar tender and a hell of guy who really takes the time with his guests. Not to mention his booze knowledge is second to none!
Comment written by Patti-Anne
I I
I vote for Mark Medico!
I vote for Mark Medico!
I vote for Eddie Downs!
Tallent’s the best by far
Tallent is the best.
Peter,… Peter,… Peter,..
You Got This Tim Go “REDSOX”
Peter Cipriani – Best ever – bar none.
Steve Tallent is hands down the best bartender in Southie! He has my vote
KELLY CANTORE IS A SMOKE SHOW – GIRL MAKES POURING A BEER LOOK EASY
Without a dought it’s Karen Attardo at Amrhein’s. She the best of all, and cute too.
Pete Pete Pete
and without a doubt knows his shit, but I gotta toss my vote in for Pete Cip: that fella has seen the Boston drinking scene evolve and has moved with it, all with a smile and a witty quip. Plus, he saved me from a rabid pack of marmosets, but that’s another story.
Mike Shaw is my fav! Such a great personality along with great drinks, perfect combo :)
karen attardo is gorgeous, friendly, sociable & a fun bartender. Her & Lisa do put on a great show & make my visits to Amrheins totally enjoyable. I try & hit on her everytime but she tells me she’s too young for me. Since when did 75 become old?
Karen Attardo is the best bartender.
If I can’t vote for Brian Leard, then I say that Steve Tallent is the best and has the best smile.
Is this poll on the up and up? My family and I were having some beers in the yard and my cousin Gabe Kitzmiller mentioned that Stephen was involved in this contest. So we all got out out Iphones to vote for Tallent but his number of votes stayed the same. Langerhans was there too and he voted on his phone too but Stephen always had the same number of votes…
Best Btender is Southie! Bar None!
Awesome bartender! My vote goes to him!
the waterfront shouldnt be included in the southie paper let the yuppies do thier own survey like they do every thing else on their own
i dont vote yuppie… its only southie people who are they grewing up bro!
Karen Attardo
My vote is for Steven Tallent
LInda Leeman pours the best drink, great personality, always friendly!!! She has my vote
MY VOTE IS FOR KAREN ATTARDO..the BEST BARTENDER IN SOUTHIE, an that’s coming from a TOWNIE..GOOD LUCK KAREN…
Karen Easily
Great Bartender worked with her for 4years. Makes great drinks and has a awsome personality.. Very hard worker….God luck Karen!!!!!
Hands down the best there is!
Come on with a name like Tallent it’s a given!
Best Bartender in Southie … Karen Attardo
Best Bloody Mary Ever
Steve Connolly at the Quencher!
Karen Attardo
Karen Attardo
STEVE-O ALL THE WAY !! He’s got Tallent!!! ;p
THe ultimate Best Bartender
I did the same thing, at my husbands office, the #’s stayed the same, I was shaking my head at it too. Later that night his numbers did go up – maybe there was some sort of lag some how. Now I’m thinking Steve may have found the inside to that, over 700 votes, really?
Karen Attardo
I believe this polldaddy has been hacked…..for 2 weeks I saw Steve Tallent winning the entire time, then Attardo was getting 10 votes a minute suddenly then other people started cheating just to keep up….This contest was a good idea and became ridiculous, shame on you cheaters
Steve Tallent you are awesome!!!!!!
Attardo just added about 400 votes in a 10 minute span. What good are these polls if someone can rig the system like that? Boooooooo!
I thought this was suppose to be a fun contest, I noticed Karen Attardo received 300 votes in one minute, I hope CIS will correct a wrong being done here, no class.
https://twitter.com/DonnieWahlberg/status/225673393813467136 no cheat just good social media
Donnie Wahlberg announced on his tweeter to some 300k of followes to vote for Karen Attardo, of course it aint fair for the rest but thats life huh…
best bartender vote – stephen tallent
gooooooo john mayer. he’s been nothing but brilliant since i met him at smith and wollensky’s a few years ago.
the best bartender
Kelly C. rocks! we bar back love her
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