Your top 10 favorite bartenders in Baltimore [Pictures]

Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun

Ages: 27 and 30, respectively From: Eifert: Hereford; Kelleher: Pasadena Bartending experience: Eifert: eight years, six years at the Greene Turtle; Kelleher: nine years, six years at the Greene Turtle. What makes a good bartender? Kelleher: Someone with an exceptional personality, outstanding multi-tasking skills and, most importantly, patience. Your favorite drink to make? Eifert: Honestly, I would prefer everyone to drink beers, but I love mixing up any rum fruity drink. Weirdest drink request you've ever received? Kelleher: Baileys and Pepsi. Yuck. Eifert: Scotch with a splash of milk. The best way to get your attention at the bar? Kelleher: Do not wave your hands all around to try and get my attention. We are at a bar, not a cheerleading competition. A simple, "Hey hon," would even be OK. The worst way to get your attention at the bar? Eifert: Do not holler at me. I give customers my name for a reason. If you could make one drink for the rest of your life, what would it be? Eifert: Pouring Miller Lites all day, but Bloody Marys will work. Most ridiculous thing you've seen while bartending? Eifert: Guests meeting at the bar and going to the family restroom together. I will leave the rest up to your imagination; Kelleher: Well, that story involves a midget porn star. The most rewarding part of your job? Kelleher: I work in an airport, so seeing our armed forces coming home each and every day is a very rewarding experience. And working side by side every shift for six years with Lindsay has been extremely rewarding. Best piece of bartending-related advice you've ever received? Kelleher: "You're really good at what you do. Don't ever let someone make you feel like you're a nobody because you're a bartender."

Jazmine Johnson / Baltimore Sun

Age: 38 From: Hampden Bartending experience: Eight years, all at Frazier's on the Avenue (919 W. 36th St.; fraziersontheavenue.com) What makes a good bartender? A good memory. Your favorite drink to make? Whiskey, because a shot of whiskey is easy to make. Grab a bottle then pour it into a glass. Weirdest drink request you've ever received? Red Bull and Guinness, because Red Bull mixed with Guinness is gross. The best way to get your attention at the bar? Wait your turn. The worst way to get your attention the bar? All of them. We see you. What do a lot of bartenders ignore or overlook about their job? Nothing. If you could make one drink for the rest of your life, what would it be? Whiskey. Favorite day/time to bartend? 11 p.m. When the kitchen closes. Most ridiculous thing you've seen while bartending? What happens at Frazier's stays at Frazier's. The most rewarding part of your job? Jon Carroll. If you ever meet Jon Carroll you will understand what I'm talking about. Your favorite place to get a drink (other than your own bar)? The refrigerator in the kitchen at my house. Describe Baltimore's bar scene in one word. Improving. Best piece of bartending-related advice you've received? "Get to know everyone." The first drink you ever made? Whiskey.

Jazmine Johnson / Baltimore Sun

They know your face -- and your favorite drink. After you've had a long, hard day, their smile and "hello" make everything just a bit better. In their careful hands, you never need to wait for a refill or the check. They may craft a trendy cocktail for you or crack open a cold Boh. And you're OK with both. They're the Baltimore bartenders you've grown to know and appreciate. We received thousands of nominations for b's Baltimore's Favorite Bartenders contest -- and voting was fierce for your top 10 (y'all love to drink). They all may not have gone to bartending school or labor for months over a new craft cocktail creation. They may not do Tom Cruise-in-"Cocktail" tricks. They don't all use expensive rare bitters or obscure flavors. Hell, some of your faves work at the airport. But you love 'em. Belly up to the bar for your top 10 bartenders of 2013.

Jazmine Johnson / Baltimore Sun

Age: 31 From: Federal Hill Bartending experience: Five years; one year at Banditos (1118 S. Charles St., banditostnt.com) What makes a good bartender? Really getting to know the people that sit in front of me and showing them a good enough time to come back again. Your favorite drink to make? Banditos' Verde Margarita; it is to die for. The first drink you ever made? Jager bombs. I knew things were going to take off from that point. Weirdest drink request you've ever received? Tequila Suicide. Snort the salt, down the shot, squeeze the lime in your eye. It's happened more then once, not at my request. The best way to get your attention at the bar? Just stand there with a smile. I see when people come to the bar and take them in order. I usually have multiple orders in my head at one time, so smile and be patient. The worst way to get your attention at the bar? Yelling out "boss," "pal," and "buddy." What do a lot of bartenders ignore or overlook about their job? Not interacting with the customers. Not only are [customers] paying for a drink, but also the bartender's interaction. Favorite day/time to bartend? I love working a double Saturday because you have two different aspects of bartending. You have the daytime when you can socialize more and build relationships, but then when nighttime rolls around you can sling drinks and things get a tad bit more wild behind the bar. Most ridiculous thing you've seen while bartending? Nudity. A LOT of nudity. The most rewarding part of your job? Coming to work and being able to hang out where everyone loves coming and at times thinking I get paid for doing what I do. Best piece of bartending-related advice you've received? "Nothing lasts forever, and if you enjoy what you're doing, then you feel like you've never worked a day in your life."

Jazmine Johnson / Baltimore Sun

Age: 46 From: Canton Bartending experience: More than 20 years; two years at Plug Ugly's (2908 O'Donnell St.) What makes a good bartender? Being able to have conversations with your customers. Weirdest drink request you've ever received? A flaming shot of Galliano, because when somebody gets a shot of nasty Galliano, lights it on fire and inhales the fumes it's a little weird. The best way to get your attention at the bar? Call me by my name. The worst way to get your attention at the bar? Banging glass on the bar. What do a lot of bartenders ignore or overlook about their job? Attention to detail, like putting cocktail napkins under drinks, refilling waters. And making sure everybody is having a good time. If you could make one drink for the rest of your life, what would it be? Jameson, neat. I love Jameson. That's what I drink. Most ridiculous thing you've seen while bartending? A girl who got naked on the bar at Hammerjack's, who then charged $1 to let people touch her in places where they shouldn't be touching. Your favorite place to get a drink (other than your own bar)? Grunwald Club. Describe Baltimore's bar scene in one word. Drunk. Best piece of bartending-related advice you've received? "Be nice to everybody because you never know who you are waiting on."

Jazmine Johnson / Baltimore Sun

Age: 26 From: Canton Bartending experience: Five years; one year at Tavern on the Square (2903 O'Donnell St.; tavernoncantonsquare.com) What makes a good bartender? Personality. Anyone can open a beer or be taught how to pour. Your favorite drink to make? Rumple Minze. That isn't really a drink but it is what I pour the most of, especially for my friends. They have a love-hate relationship with it. The best way to get your attention at the bar? Make eye contact but be patient. I see you and I will get to you, trust me. The worst way to get your attention at the bar? Flailing your arms, especially if you have money or a credit card in your hand, screaming "HEY!" ... there are a lot of ways to aggravate your bartender, and ensure waiting that much longer for your beverage. Favorite day/time to bartend? Monday nights are my favorite. I get to spend more time talking to my regulars and helping them piece together their weekends. Since I work most weekends, I get to live vicariously through their stories. Most ridiculous thing you've seen while bartending? Well, I was peed on once by a patron while bartending. You know who you are! The most rewarding part of your job? The friends I have made. Whether they are in the industry or customers. I have met some truly wonderful people in this city. Describe Baltimore's bar scene in one word. Rowdy. Best piece of bartending-related advice you've received? "Pour 'em how you like 'em."

Jazmine Johnson / Baltimore Sun

Age: 35 From: Windsor Mill Bartending experience: 12 years; 11 years at Fish Head Cantina (4802 Benson Ave., Halethorpe; fishheadcantina.com) What makes a good bartender? An outgoing personality, attention to detail and very thick skin. Your favorite drink to make? Jameson, straight up. Best drink in the world!! The best way to get your attention at the bar? Eye contact or cash in hand. The worst way to get your attention at the bar? Banging a bottle or glass on the bar top. What do a lot of bartenders ignore or overlook about their job? Customer service. It's the most important part of our job. If you could make one drink for the rest of your life, what would it be? Sake bombs! They are so much fun to watch people drink. Favorite day/time to bartend? I really enjoy Monday and Tuesday nights. It's slow enough that I really get a chance to talk to people and have fun with them. Most ridiculous thing you've seen while bartending? After a patron was ejected from the bar, he stripped off all of his clothes in the middle of the street and stood there naked fuming for about 15 minutes. The most rewarding part of your job? Seeing people relax and have a good time. Your favorite place to get a drink (other than your own bar)? Bartenders Pub on Boston Street. Describe Baltimore's bar scene in one word. Awesome. Best piece of bartending-related advice you've received? "No matter what happens, people will always remember how they felt when they left. If people leave happy, they will remember."

Jazmine Johnson / Baltimore Sun

Age: 29 From: Canton Bartending experience: Six years; four at Alexander's Tavern (710 S. Broadway; alexanderstavern.com) What makes a good bartender? A good bartender is someone that is attentive, personable, fast, efficient, a great salesman, charismatic, understanding, funny, intelligent, patient and easygoing. You have to be a person that can handle people at their worst and at their best. You have to be a therapist, a best friend, an authoritarian, a baby sitter, a psychologist and ultimately a human being. Weirdest drink request you've ever received? Smash Bomb. The drink was made up by a buddy of mine and one of his friends, and consists of a shot of cherry vodka and a shot of Jagermeister together in an eight-ounce glass topped off with half a glass of Red Bull. It sounds as nasty as it tastes -- trust me. The best way to get your attention at the bar? Be patient and polite. I respond to people who are not overly anxious and rude. The worst way to get your attention at the bar? Holding money or a credit card in your hand and waving at me or walking up and interrupting the conversation that I am having with another customer. If you could make one drink for the rest of your life, what would it be? A dirty martini. I respect the acquired taste that one has to develop to appreciate a good dirty martini. The most rewarding part of your job? Besides the money, of course, it would actually happen to be the people that I have met during my time behind the bar. Your favorite place to get a drink (other than your own bar)? The Wharf Rat in Fells Point and Dougherty's in Mount Vernon. Describe Baltimore's bar scene in one word. Bottomless.

Jazmine Johnson / Baltimore Sun

Age: 27 From: Kingsville Bartending experience: Five years, all at Hard Yacht Cafe (8500 Cove Road, Dundalk; hardyacht.com) What makes a good bartender? I think my ability to read people is what makes me good at my job. The bar I work in is family owned and operated. I have time to talk to people and get to know them. Weirdest drink request you've ever received? I get quite a few weird drink requests on a regular basis. Typically though, I get "old" drinks. mai-tais, sex on the beach. I do work at a dock bar, after all. To those people I typically respond, "Is that your DeLorean out front?" They usually get a good laugh out of it and a new drink to try. Most ridiculous thing you've seen while bartending? I bartend at a dock bar ... in Baltimore. As far as ridiculousness goes, I've got stories for days. The most rewarding part of your job? Being able to be the reason why people have a good time at my bar, the reason they can't wait to come back. If I can make someone's time at the Hard Yacht enjoyable enough for them to come back, then my night is completely worth it. Your favorite place to get a drink (other than your own bar)? After work, I often stop by the Poplar Inn; on nights off I like to head to Fells Point. Leadbetters is great for the local talent. The first drink you ever made? I was pouring draft beer when I was just big enough to move the chair to the keg cooler and reach the tap. My dad had a keg in the shop for the guys to have a beer at the end of the workday. As far as mixed drinks go, though, I can thank my grandfather for teaching me to make a Bloody Mary. His Bloody Marys were a thing of beauty. I believe I made my first one of those when I was 6. I guess slingin' drinks is just in my blood.

Jazmine Johnson / Baltimore Sun

Age: 28 From: Federal Hill Bartending experience: Five years, all at Mad River (1110 S. Charles St.; madriverbaltimore.com) What makes a good bartender? Mad River can get pretty crowded, so speed is important. Patience and a good push-up bra never hurt. (Sorry, Mom!) Your favorite drink to make? I would have to say a Happy Drink. It's an extremely delicious cocktail that is meant to be chugged. It consists of premium flavored Pinnacle vodka, lemon lime soda, a splash of fresh squeezed cranberry juice from the gun and garnished with two straws. Weirdest drink request you've ever received? Soco and lime. Because no one should be ordering these after 1992. The best way to get your attention at the bar? Be tall. The worst way to get your attention at the bar? Bang your hands on the bar and wave money at me. Most people who do this don't even know what they want to order when I get to them. Favorite day/time to bartend? I love Friday nights because we have one of the best DJs and Sundays during Ravens games because of the amazing energy. Most ridiculous thing you've seen while bartending? People seem to have an issue walking down the stairs at Mad River. I have seen some pretty ridiculous, face-first falls down those. The most rewarding part of your job? Meeting new people and getting to work with a great staff. We are definitely a family at Mad River. The money part of it isn't bad either. Your favorite place to get a drink (other than your own bar)? Ouzo Bay and Bond Street Social. Describe Baltimore's bar scene in one word. Versatile. There is a bar for whatever you are looking for. Best piece of bartending-related advice you've received? "Put 10 percent of my money into savings, make people feel important, and don't pass out while working."

Jazmine Johnson / Baltimore Sun

Age: 31 From: Federal Hill Bartending experience: 10 years; six years at No Way Jose (38 E. Cross St.) What makes a good bartender? I think a good bartender is an attentive and friendly bartender. Every shift I work, I think to myself, "How would I want to be treated if I were going out for a drink or for dinner?" I try to make it a memorable, fun experience for our patrons and hopefully they will come back. Your favorite drink to serve? I love serving fresh cold Natty Lights with a sidecar of Fireball. Keeping it classy while igniting the night! Weirdest drink request you've ever received? Tequila on the rocks, one sugar packet, splash of pineapple and peach schnapps. Favorite day/time to bartend? I like to work Friday happy-hour shifts. After a long week of work, it is nice to see people letting loose and enjoying themselves. Most ridiculous thing you've seen while bartending? Instead of going upstairs to the bathroom, witnessing a customer pee into a cup in the corner at the main bar was pretty ridiculous. The most rewarding part of your job? Having people specifically come visit you. Every week, I never know who is going to pop in. Friends and family from Pennsylvania, college, Federal Hill and all over Baltimore always spin on in to say hi! Very much appreciated. Your favorite place to get a drink (other than your own bar)? Little Havana -- great food and awesome staff. Describe Baltimore's bar scene in one word. RAGING. Best piece of bartending-related advice you've received? On my first shift working at No Way Jose, the previous owner, Jennifer McMullan, said, "This is a bar. This is a very fun bar. You have fun and keep the bar fun. Go get 'em." I laughed but it certainly stuck with me after all these years.