Iowa State students who work at the frequented bars on Welch Ave. serve a vital role in Campustown night life. While their positions can be social and fulfilling, some also describe the job as difficult and unpredictable.
Nigel Sperfslage, assistant general manager at Paddy’s Irish Pub and senior in accounting, shared how his team has bonded through the job.
“The people I’ve worked with I’ve gotten really close with,” Sperfslage said. “Just this past month for winter break, I went with seven other coworkers to Denver and went to ski with them. A lot of memories were made over there.”
Kallie Mitchell, a bartender at Mickey’s Irish Pub and junior studying animal ecology, agreed, saying that regular customers and coworkers make the experience even better.
“The connections you get to make are amazing,” Mitchell said. “We have a lot of regulars at our bar, and I will see them on campus now and can say hi.”
Despite the fun and social aspects, bar work comes with its difficulties, especially for student employees.
“Scheduling can be a nightmare,” Sperfslage said. “A lot of people have school that they have to accommodate for all the time, so we try to help them out and also make sure we have enough people at the bar at the same time.”
“The hours are late so after a long day of classes it’s kind of hard to turn your brain on when you’re working,” Mitchell said. “Especially when it gets busy you have to really focus on what you’re doing.”
Mitchell mentioned that dealing with intoxicated customers is difficult.
“People can get crazy when they start drinking and start doing some silly things,” Mitchell said. “It’s really interesting to watch and be an observer in that setting.”
The unpredictable nature of bartending leads to unique and sometimes bizarre experiences. BNC Fieldhouse bartender and senior studying management, Lucy Pfab, recalled one of the strangest drink requests she has ever received.
“One time I had a guy come in and ask if he could make a chug jug,” Pfab said. “It was basically a bunch of random pop and vodka. That was one of my most memorable experiences because I had no idea what was going on.”
Mitchell said he has regulars come to the bar that he knows from classes.
“I have new people I could sit by or work on projects with which is super fun,” Mitchell said.
Beyond the entertainment factor, working at a bar also presents networking opportunities.
“The networking aspect of working there is the best part,” Pfab said. “Not only coworkers and the boss but the customers that come in. I’ve met so many people through just having conversations with customers, and now I know so many people who work at big companies.”
