Author Archives: MikeQ

FREE BEER!

One of the bartenders rings the bell, and a unanimous cheer from the crowd rattles the windows. Eight beer taps are thrown open simultaneously as we scramble to shove plastics cups underneath them.  One hand yanks the full ones out, … Continue reading

Posted in Life on a Cocktail Napkin | 12 Comments

BEATING BARTENDER BURN-OUT (with the Dixie Chicks)

Last Sunday at Johnny D’s, the afternoon Blues Jam ended early to make room for our Grammy Awards party.  (I actually enjoy the Grammy’s — yes, it’s an awards show, but there’s a lot of great music with performers I … Continue reading

Posted in Life on a Cocktail Napkin | 13 Comments

STANDING UP

(This post comes from a bunch of notes scrawled on cocktail napkins at The Lark Tavern.  In those days I also volunteered an overnight shift each week at Refer Switchboard, a 24-hr crisis center half a block from The Lark.  … Continue reading

Posted in Life on a Cocktail Napkin | 7 Comments

NO PIZZA! (The way things are done)

Sal’s shop was just down the street from The Cantina Italiana.  Sal was one of our regulars at the bar.  He was a tough man who had grown up in Boston’s North End, all the local wiseguys were his friends … Continue reading

Posted in Life on a Cocktail Napkin | 13 Comments

A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT

My apologies, but there won’t be a regular post this week.  I’m behind once again.  Starting next week I’ll be dropping one shift on the bar, no more Thursday nights — so hopefully I’ll be able to still make a … Continue reading

Posted in Life on a Cocktail Napkin | 5 Comments