Mixing Drinks Is Secondary

I took a deep, steadying breath as I walked through the door.  Here goes nothin, I thought to myself.  As soon as the door closed behind me, my eyes swept the room, but focused on the doorman; the first fully clothed person I saw.

"Hi, I'd like to apply at a bartender here," I tried to adopt a deeper, more sultry voice than my usual bright, perky chirp.  It came out a little more Britney than Beyonce, but no matter what I did, I supposed I'd always look younger than my age.

"You're looking for Joe, right?  Does he know you're here?" he asked me, looking slightly worried.

I assumed he was referring to the owner or the manager... someone with the authority to hire me.  "Er..." I replied, "I didn't know I was supposed to call beforehand."

"Nah, nah, it's my fault.  Here, take this application; you can fill that out.  I'll go get him."

He handed me the sheet and I sat at the bar, reading over it before filling it out carefully.

Though I tried to project an aura of cool relaxation, I'm sure I looked slightly out of place.  For one, I must've been the only person in the place not looking at the stage.  Not even once.  It didn't matter though; once you walk into a strip club, unless you close your eyes, you're going to see naked women twirling, bouncing and winking.

I bit back a smirk; after the usual "first, middle, last" name prompt there was a line where you could fill in your stage name.  The lyrics to "Circus" by Britney Spears played through my head, I'm a put-on-a-show kinda girl.  If anyone ever asked me, I would probably say I did it for the money, but the real truth was more along the lines of, "I like to play dress up."

When Joe, the owner/manager, came out a while later, he led me upstairs where it was quieter and he could actually tell me about the duties and responsibilities of the job.  We talked for about ten minutes or so, but a few things stood out to me:

1. Unlike the ones you see on TV, real, upstanding gentleman's clubs do not allow touching.  I'm not allowed to sit on anyone's lap either.  
2. Job interviews can include the statement, "your butt and nipples must be covered at all times."
3. Mixing drinks is secondary; your primary duty as a bartender is to build a relationship with your customers.  Play into their fantasies.  Flirt.  (Of course, I told him I had theater training as well).

I really hope I get this job; yeah, the pay is $200 on a BAD night, which is tres attractive, but it also gives me the outlet I need to get that Naughty Nikki energy out in a setting that's appropriate for it.  I need to be in an environment where I can be an actress because that's my job, not because I have to to keep my sanity.  

There's only so much Nikki that the "real world" can handle. 

PS: I'm keeping my drink knowledge up, though!

Okay, So I Lied

I didn't go job hunting on Friday.  I called and/or e-mailed 30 different places though, and they all said to come in between Monday and Thursday.  Doable.  

I didn't go job-hunting today because I had a photoshoot (yep, photoshoot.  I'm a model/bartender/student/fashion designer/business woman).  This photoshoot lasted from 10 am to 7 pm, so job-hunting was just not possible.

I will make it downtown tomorrow from restaurant to club to... adult entertainment club in search of a behind-the-bar job.  I know I'm good enough for it.  The last time I went out, I was telling the bartender how to make my drinks!  I've got boundless energy!  I've got nothing else to report!

...Hopefully next time I write I'll have positive news to report on the bar job-hunting front.

So... What Now?

I graduated!  Yessss.  

Unfortunately, this does not mean that jobs automatically pop up out of thin air all vying for my attention.  On top of that, I'm well aware that going to bartending school does not equal years of experience behind a bar.  So... now what?

Well, I've started with a list of 24 different bars, clubs, lounges and restaurants that I wouldn't hate working at.  Each one is getting a cover letter, resume and sheet of photos (you never know, some of these places really do place importance on image; I'm not shy about admitting that I'm attractive).  I'm going to try to set myself apart by being extra professional.  I'm stressing the fact that I'm a fast learner with a sparkling personality and no attitude problems or entitlement complex.  I'm even offering to shadow their current staff, train for a while unpaid, and have an extensive practical interview.  SOMEONE hire me, PLEASE?

I'm starting my trek from club to club tomorrow.  Good, bad or ugly... I'll let ya'll know how it goes...

On The Eve of My Graduation

I graduate tomorrow.  Hopefully, at least.  

It's been an interesting past two weeks at bartending school.  I've met really cool people and learned more than I thought I would going into the process.  If you're contemplating going to bartending school, know this: it's harder than it looks.  I honestly don't know where I'd be without this photographic memory that keeps coming in handy.  I don't know how to spin any bottles yet, but I can get you sauced 81 different ways.  

Now comes the hard part... actually going out there and getting a job.  Hope to have one by New Years and/or the Inauguration.  Do you know how much money there is to be made floating around in January?  Superbowl in February?  Is it sad that I'm more excited about picking up cash rather than partying?  *Shrug*  In any case, I'm inviting you along on my journey to save $5,000 by June 1. 

Knowing me, we'll probably get sidetracked along the way, talk to strangers we definitely shouldn't be talking to, and get involved in some ridiculously random schemes, but it'll be fun, I promise!