The
official explanation from the son who inherited the place was that Mark had
become a liability. This from the man whose father hired Mark. The real
explanation is that Pollman--like the rest of us--has grown old. He's an Air
Force vet who has spent the better part of his life learning the intricacies
and nuances of bartending and making great drinks. But it Mark's incandescent
personality that has made him a veritable institution; a bartender who's
following includes just about every guest he's ever served.
Now
I should tell you that I'm more bummed out at the turn of events than Mark is.
He's the implacable sort. His chief concern was how to reach the bar's hundreds
of regulars about his sudden change in circumstance. Me? I'd be pissed and more
worried about how I'd support myself.
We're
not an industry that typically puts a high market value on venerability. I find
it ironic, though, that in this cocktail-oriented culture, with its emphasis on
classic concoctions and top-shelf spirits, that a master mixologist with tons
of experience can be considered past his prime. When is a bartender's prime
anyway?
Mark
Pollman is one of the honorees inducted into the Bartender's Hall of Fame. He
loves everything about the job. His knowledge of spirits and drinks is
encyclopedic and I contend that he can recite every joke he's ever heard. And
while he freely admits that his brand of charm works best on those who can
recall Armstrong walking on the moon, Mark has a lot of mileage left in his
chassis.
It
seems to me that there must be someone within earshot who has a bartending
staff in need of an anchor or a bar in search of a star. Despite having a face
having a face made for radio (his line, not mine), Mark Pollman is an
irresistible force behind a bar. Don't just take my word for it, famed
mixologist Dale "King Cocktail" DeGroff and noted drinks author Gary Regan are
Pollman fans.
If
a mind is a terrible thing to waste, then allowing a resource like Mark's to
lay fallow would be a frickin' shame. He can be reached mpollman@accessus.net. He's also the
only Mark Pollman in the St. Louis phone book. Figures.
Good
hunting Mark!
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