For years the bartender profession was considered a temporary gig for those who just wanted to pick up a steady paycheck while on their way to making their dreams come true. But when the cocktail revival hit there was a beautiful and all too brief period when the transitory job became full-blown career. Drinkmakers actually pulled shifts behind the bar. Remember Marcos Tello at the Varnish, Matthew Biancaniello at Hollywood Roosevelt's Library Bar, or even when Julian Cox was at Rivera?
But now as the booze industry grows there are even more opportunities for cocktail slingers that bring them out from behind the bar. It's a good thing considering how tough shaking drinks every night is on the body. They can now be brand ambassadors, cocktail consultants, spirit makers, and cocktail book authors.
Good for them but sad for those who miss chatting them up about their drinks. Thankfully there are still a few bartenders around L.A. holding down the fort. For whatever reason, they've managed to resist the allure of travel and better pay, for staying at the bar. Here's where you can visit the original bartenders, why they've chosen to stick around, and why you'll be best off becoming a regular at their bars.
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