Fraser Hamilton

Bar codex by Fraser Hamilton

I've been working in the industry for 20 years already, and I used to think that the most important things were cocktails, drinks, rare ingredients... But now I understand that the real meaning of my work is to make people happy: to get to know them, to introduce them to each other, to chat, and to make them smile.

I started working as a bartender in Scotland, and there, a bar is the real center of local life. All the news and gossip converges at the bar; there, you can always run into your friends, even if you weren't planning on it. I really miss that feeling of a "local," and that's what I'’ trying to recreate here at Blackbird Ordinary.

Compared to the 90s, when I started my career, bartenders have become more responsible. Everyone used to follow the mantra: “let's make it stronger, sweeter, and brighter." Now everything's different.

When I go to a bar after work, I desperately try to relax. But no matter what, I always find myself judging the glassware or the bartenders' utensils.

In order to become a good bartender, you need to sincerely love people more than anything else. 80% of our work is communicating with people. It's harder to learn how to do that than it is to learn how to mix drinks.

Above all else, I became a bartender because I'm interested in all kinds of people. What other job lets you talk with a stock trader, a musician, and a movie star all in one night?

I often see bartenders get annoyed at drunk guests. If you ask me, that's awkward! Our job is to take care of people, especially if they're they're a little vulnerable.

I never let a drunk guest get behind the wheel. That simply doesn't happen in my bar. No excuses allowed.

One day, when I was just beginning to work as a bartender, I was asked to come up with a dessert drink. I really wanted to use peaches and whipped cream. In the end, I made the absolute worst drink in the world – it was just disgusting. I asked the head bartender: what can I do? He just poured everything into the trash.

I used to really like working late – the later, the better! But now, I would rather watch TV in bed at night.

There's no such thing as a wasted shift. You need to work every day with all your energy and devote energy to the smallest details.