The Bartender Novels & Stories

The nurse smiled and assured me she had it under control. “Enjoy yourself, ladies.” Lisa tugged at Tatum’s hand, leading me toward the barstools. The bartender, a shirtless, muscular, deep chocolate brother with dreads, came over to take their order. “Ladies. You’re looking good tonight. What can I get you to drink?” “What about you?” Lisa asked, seductively. I slapped her on the leg. “Ouch!” The bartender gave a soulful laugh. “Sorry, ladies. I’m on the clock, so I can’t partake in any fun.”

*Damon* "What can I get you?" The bartender asked, wiping down on the counter with a small white table cloth. He seemed a little irritated, like bartending was the last thing he had planned to do with his life. Shit happens, I thought silently to myself. It was a little funny how everyone thought they had their life all planned out but then they always fail to remember that life itself was full of surprises. And some are worse than others.

After all, it was only 1:30 in the afternoon. "Hello Miss. What can I get for you today?" The bartender asked. He was an older man—probably in his 50's. He looked like a tough guy with a bushy beard, shorter build, and bulging muscles. If I had to stereotype, I'd say he looked like a biker. However, he had a very kind smile and pleasant demeanor, which I wouldn't have expected at first glance. "Hi. Can I please have a double shot of Patrón with maybe some ice in it so I can just drink it? Oh, and also a margarita on the side because I probably won't like drinking straight Patrón. Thanks."

“Battery-operated boyfriend. B-O-B. Big… Bob.” “You think Bob will do the job?” the bartender asks. I nod vigorously. He leans closer, blue eyes flashing mischief. “You should come back and give me a full report.” “Why?” I cock my head. “Are you shopping for one?” The bartender turns his head to hide his laugh. “This is better than television,” he says to the newcomer, who agrees. I rest my hands on the bar, warm all over from the praise. The bartender hands a bottle of water to the big guy, who opens it and offers it to me. Big guy is still grinning. I can just hear him thinking how cute I am. Hi

How can I even forget that Uno has a birthday celebration today? I picked my purse up and put some thousand peso bills in front of the bartender and pushed my hair back. "Sorry, I need to go. Thank you for the time!" I loudly uttered and turned my back only to glance at him again. "Who are you, by the way?" The bartender gave me a smirk. "Dylan, owner of this place." My eyes widened and made me want to run back in front of him but I'm in a hurry so I just nodded and hurriedly walks out of the dark room.

In this chaotic yet familiar space, I found a respite from the hardships that awaited me outside these walls. As I slipped into my work uniform, a cloak of professionalism settled upon me, shielding the weariness and worries etched into my soul. I plastered a smile upon my face, the mask of a bartender who listened, served, and offered fleeting moments of escape to those seeking solace in the embrace of a glass. Tonight, I would become Sydney, the enigmatic bartender, the listener, and the keeper of secrets.

The cashier also informed us that they didn’t see which way she took off, so we’re back to nothing. We sit down at the counter and wait for the bartender to come over so we can order our drinks. “Hey Frank.” The bartender says as she grabs a beer from the fridge, opens it and hands it to him. He pauses for a second, looking at the beer for a period of time, that seems strange. My brows scrunch together in confusion as I watch him, then he sighs loudly and walks over to a corner table, without drinking a single sip. That was odd, the bartender walks over and sees me watching the guy she called fran

I have been so distracted observing the counter that I have not noticed the bartender talking to me. “I’d like to have some viniq please.” “One viniq coming right up!” Are our bartenders always this ecstatic? I look at the man. He’s around 5’8 tall with broad shoulders and clean-cut hair. He’s wearing a black long sleeve polo which the first three buttons are undone, and a black waist apron. I can’t see his face properly because of the lights.

Immediately the bartender got the hint,a smile pulled up on his face. He collected the buck quickly, tugging it inside his inner pocket. “Call me if you need anything. I'll be seated behind that counter." He pointed at a wooden counter adjacent to where we sat. “ If you don't see me there, that means I have customers to attend to but I'll do my best to render my best services." I smiled, liking the bartender’s spirit. He seemed like someone who grew from on the streets. His luminous flame burned with enthusiasm that got my attention. I looked at his name tag, Adrian. I smiled to myself. Such a beautiful name for a smart looking

As if proving this, he slowly moved his head to observe the bartender and tilted his chin in a movement that asked the man to speak. "They're starting the same way as last night," said the bartender with a tired and bored expression. "I don't want them to break my bottles again. I had trouble cleaning everything earlier today.” "And what do you want me to do? "Asked the man. “In addition to expelling them before they start docking? "Questioned the bartender, giving a dry and dull laugh. "I could at least make them think it's not a good idea to fight tonight.” "Don't worry about the fights," guaran