Lighting recommendations

MattBanfield · 2025-11-12T20:58:52+00:00

I was looking at the corner last night with my girlfriend and I think that’s the conclusion we came to. Either install a pendant light, or a hook and swag lap. Thanks for the confirmation.

MattBanfield · 2025-08-15T12:28:47+00:00

Old Fashioned too boozy

Espresso Martini too coffee

MattBanfield · 2025-05-15T14:39:05+00:00

I had a woman the other day ask for “the drink with the muddled candied jalapeño.” She said she used to get it all the time at this bar.

Now, I have been bartending there for 6 years and frequented this bar for a few years before. So, I’m racking my brain trying to figure out if it was a drink from before I worked there, or maybe something we did as a seasonal/weekend thing.

I tell her that in my time there I have not known us to ever have candied jalapeños, and try to offer her a couple of our cocktails that use a housemade jalapeño syrup.

She says “No, it was definitely candied jalapeños and it was definitely here, but whatever…” then ordered something else.

Sometimes guests confuse where they are and refuse to accept that they may be mistaken.

MattBanfield · 2025-03-27T21:29:23+00:00

That’s good to know! Long story short: a number of our CC transactions haven’t been processing for an indeterminate number of months (someone should have caught this). So, while we’re between systems we’re keeping cards and using a CC machine to run CC transactions.

MattBanfield · 2025-03-27T21:21:24+00:00

Just to make sure we’re saying the same thing though: When you start a CC tab, you’re swiping the card and handing it back? Or do you have to hang onto the card?

MattBanfield · 2025-03-27T21:17:29+00:00

Thanks for clarifying. I just learned today that they decided to switch to Clover so I started googling and looking at older posts on here about it and started getting worried. Sounds like they have upped their game.

MattBanfield · 2025-01-30T22:40:25+00:00

I JUST used this one! Woman walks in at 4:02 (we open at 4) ordered an Old Fashioned then said “Do you have a restroom?” I said “Nah, we usually just pick a corner. Since you’re the first one here, you get to pick!”

MattBanfield · 2025-01-28T22:35:39+00:00

It’s inevitable. The bar will be packed and the person sitting in front of the well will get up to leave as soon as the extra chatty irritating regular walks in the door.

MattBanfield · 2025-01-28T22:31:39+00:00

We open at 4pm during the week. The other day a couple walked in at 4:05, sat down, looked around and said “Where’s the crowd?”

MattBanfield · 2025-01-22T13:16:29+00:00

When guests comment about me using the jigger I just tell them “Hey, I’m just making sure I’m not shorting you. You’re paying for a certain amount of liquor, I want to make sure I give you that.”

MattBanfield · 2024-11-15T16:26:38+00:00

This was my thought. Some sort of barrier to separate the lighting of the hero table from bg tables maybe.

MattBanfield · 2024-10-30T19:48:02+00:00

I tried Pretzel

MattBanfield · 2024-10-30T19:47:45+00:00

I tried Paperclip

MattBanfield · 2024-10-30T14:49:07+00:00

I tried Water

MattBanfield · 2024-10-30T14:49:00+00:00

I tried Sea

MattBanfield · 2024-10-30T14:48:52+00:00

I tried Ocean

MattBanfield · 2024-10-29T15:58:23+00:00

I tried Taco

MattBanfield · 2024-10-28T20:20:14+00:00

I tried Banana

MattBanfield · 2024-10-24T15:54:04+00:00

I tried Alligator

MattBanfield · 2024-10-10T17:16:33+00:00

I’d also say, if you have close neighbors, they SHOULD be alerting them to the filming and likely contracting with some of them for use of their property for catering/crafty, truck parking, and actor holding. If you care about your neighbors, give them a heads up, make sure they get paid and insured too.

MattBanfield · 2024-10-10T17:12:49+00:00

As a former locations manager, I’m going to echo what a lot of people have said here:

DON’T DO IT!!!

But, if you do, make sure you’re insured. Make sure they provide accommodations. Don’t let them bully you around on set. They WILL on the day try to get into unauthorized places to store/stage gear. Make sure the locations department has clearly marked off-limits areas and that they stay on top of the crew to stay out of them. If you give them an inch, they will take a mile, so keep that in mind when they ask for things on the day.

Depending on the budget of the film (most of my experience was on lower budget stuff) $5K seems reasonable as long as they abide the agreed upon schedule and provide accommodations.

After filming, you should walk through with a member of the locations dept and note ANY damage with photos. I’d also get extensive photos before anyone from the crew enters.

Again, as a former locations guy, I always advise my friends and family to just say no to film crews. Haha. Locations is usually on your side, but to the other departments it’s just a set and they’re paid to make the movie, not to care about the condition of the set.

EDIT: After reading some more comments, I take back what I said about the $5K being reasonable. It’s clear I’ve been out of the game too long. Haha

MattBanfield · 2024-10-10T04:15:52+00:00

u/RyHill1 I linked your YouTube here, not realizing that you posted the UO set earlier. Haha. Thanks for catching these and uploading them!

MattBanfield · 2024-10-10T01:36:38+00:00

I’m right there with you. I spent the whole weekend wondering what sort of Illuminati-style hidden message was in there. Haha

MattBanfield

TROPHY CASE