Every watering hole has them – people who let you talk about your dreams and frustrations without judging you. They serve your favorite drinks with a smile and often make you laugh. They’re our bartenders, and in honor of the men and women who mix our drinks, the Current is conducting a contest to determine who are the favorites in Hudson County.
To vote, readers must mail or e-mail us their name, daytime phone number and the name of the bartender for whom they are voting. Readers may only vote once, and no phone calls, please.
The top three vote-getters from the following 29 contestants will have the opportunity to win a weekend trip for two to an upstate New York resort for first place; a pair of tickets to Six Flags Great Adventure for second place; and dinner for two in Hudson County for third place. The winners will be announced Aug. 28. The voting deadline is Aug. 22.
Send your votes to:
"Favorite Bartender Contest"
Current
1400 Washington St., P.O. Box 3069
Hoboken, NJ 07030
Or email to: current@hudsonreporter.com attn: "Favorite Bartender Contest."
The contestants are:
1. Donna Sandomenico, 31, is a Jersey City resident and works at Uncle Joe’s in Jersey City. She likes Johnny Walker Black and has bartended for five years.
"I became a bartender because I needed to work nights after adopting my sister’s children," she said. "It’s a great way to make a living while having fun. They don’t call me ‘The Machine’ for nothing. I can rock any machine in any bar at any given time. People should vote for me because I treat people they way they should be treated. Like I would like to be treated."
Favorite quote is: "Shots on me."
2. Dina Drew, 29, from West New York works at Oddfellows Rest in Jersey City. Her drink of choice is Yellow Tail merlot. For a decade she has worked behind a bar to support her acting habit.
"Come in and visit and find out why" you should vote for her, she said.
Drew describes herself as quirky, fun and sincere. Her favorite quote is: "Everything works out in the end."
3. Christopher Ryan, 19, works at P.J. Ryans in Jersey City. He lives in Edison and goes to school at Rutgers University. For two years he has been bartending. His favorite drink is Corona. He became a bartender because he likes to "have a good time while I work and to meet new people." He describes himself as funny, outgoing and a nice guy. Vote for Ryan because "I’m a great guy and a super fast bartender."
His favorite quote is: "What can I get you guys to drink?"
4. Christopher "Hal" Halleron, 28, is originally from Syracuse. He works at Duffy’s in Hoboken and has bartended for "too long." Hal loves buybacks and booze.
"I’m an angry young man who has no business in the service industry, but every now and then I know what I’m doing," he said. "I used to be an ambitious handsome young man, but time and booze have caught up to me."
He also writes a column in the Current every other week.
His favorite quote is: "Mmmmmmmm Bop," from Hanson.
5. Brian Santiago, 30, from Union City works at Louise and Jerry’s in Hoboken. For four years he has been a bartender, and beer is his favorite drink. He became a bartender because he likes "to drink my mistakes."
Santiago describes himself at hot and brainy. He wants you to vote for him "because I will lower taxes and push for better health care." His favorite quote is: "Told ya I was sick."
6. Amanda Sivo, 22, is a mile-square city resident and works at The Farside in Hoboken. She likes Woodpecker cider and has bartended for six years. Sivo is a graduate student at New Jersey City University, earning a master’s in special education. She became a bartender to "become the mature person I am today by exposing myself to various types of people."
"I am outgoing and I have fun no matter what the situation is," Sivo said.
Her favorite quote is: "There are no bad cocktails, just bad drinkers."
7. Tomasina Muller, 36, lives in Brick and works at Lorenzo’s Restaurant in Secaucus. She likes Grey Goose dirty martinis, and for eight years she has been bartending.
She became a bartender because of the flexible hours, the great money, and the time it gave her to raise her children.
"I am the type of person that is very honest and very open," she said. "I treat others
as they treat me. I have a lot of passion for all that I do in every aspect of my life. I am not a girly girl who loves to shop and talks too much. People should vote for me because I am a bartender for the people."
Her favorite quote is: "Today is the time of your life."
8. Jason Lynch, 28, a mile-square city resident works at Onieal’s in Hoboken. He enjoys a tall glass of Beck’s and has been working behind the bar for six years. He became a bartender for the money and "chicks;" describes himself as patient, and said people shouldn’t vote for him in this contest.
His favorite quote is: "Steps out of the shade and says something like, you and me babe, how about it," from Dire Straits.
9. Holly Williams, 28, of Montvale works at the Whiskey Bar in Hoboken. Her favorite drink is Stoli on the rocks. For six years she has bartended. She pursued the job after watching Cocktail one too many times in college.
"I’m passionate, spontaneous, deep and dedicated. I work hard and play harder," she said.
Her favorite quote is: "I got cat class and I got cat style," from the Stray Cats.
10. Mary DeAngelis, 25, from Harrison works at The Merchant in Jersey City. Her favorite drink is an apple martini. She has been bartending for three years. She became a bartender because of the customer interaction and having fun while working. DeAngelis describes herself as "extremely outgoing, positive and always willing to listen."
Vote for her because "I can give the best service with a smile, which people look for."
11. Jake Ross, 26, a mile-square city resident works at Onieal’s in Hoboken. His favorite drink is Saphire tonic. For five years he has been behind the bar. He describes himself as athletic, fun, and likes to go out.
"You won’t go wrong choosing me," he said.
Favorite quote: "Beer is the cause and the cure of all of life’s problems."
12. Lydia Nerone, 37, from West New York, works at The Goldhawk in Hoboken. She enjoys at Number 9 ale and has bartended for 10 years.
"I enjoy the atmosphere of a fun busy place. It’s been a great source of extra income," she said.
Nerone works in New York City and lives with her boyfriend and two dogs. She wants you to vote for her because "It’s all good."
Her favorite quote is: "A rolling stone gathers no moss."
13. Kevin Cocca, a New Jersey resident, works at Onieal’s in Hoboken and has bartended for seven years. He likes Stoli orange with 7UP and became a bartender because it’s "the world’s best job." Cocca thinks of himself as shy, sarcastic and well-equipped. Vote for him because "I was born with eleven fingers."
His favorite quote is: "Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right."
14. Kerry Logston, 28, originally from Texas, works at Baja in Hoboken. She has been behind the bar for eight years and her favorite drink is Bud Light. She describes herself as outgoing and she loves to laugh at myself.
Logston became a bartender because "I like having a flexible schedule. I am in a comedy troupe, so I need weird hours and dates to rehearse and perform. Plus I just like talking to people."
Logston wants you to vote for her because she is assertive, and "I make every drink like I am making it for myself."
15. Julie Rompel, 27, from Long Island, N.Y. works at Willie McBride’s in Hoboken. She has bartended for eight years, and her favorite drink is Lynchberg lemonade.
"I love bartending because I love to have fun and I love to make other people have fun," Rompel said. "I basically don’t worry about anything except having a good time."
Vote for her "because I will get you wasted and make you have the best time of your life."
Her favorite quote is: "Let’s party!"
16. Patrick Murphy, 25, lives in Staten Island, N.Y. and works at Uncle Joe’s in Hoboken. For five years he has worked the bar, and he loves a Red Devil.
"I am a friendly person, and I try to treat everyone the way I want to be treated," he said. "I believe that to change the world, you have to start one person at a time."
He says to vote for him so he can have a night in which somebody serves him.
He decided to work at a bar because "I love throwing parties and as a bartender I have the opportunity to throw the ultimate party every night."
17. Monica Valenciano, 27, a Jersey City resident works at the Hamilton Park Ale House in Jersey City. Her favorite drink is Stoli orange with club soda and a splash of cranberry. For four years she has bartended. She describes herself as outgoing, friendly, smart and willing to do anything to win.
"I had worked in corporate America and I got laid off," she said. "So I decided that bartending might be fun and a great social prospect."
She wants readers to vote for her "because I want a free trip, and if not, I will not be able to go on living."
Her favorite quote is: "What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger."
18. Sandra Malak, 24, lives in New Jersey and works at Booney’s Saloon in Jersey City. She likes bourbon and has been a bartender for three years.
"I enjoy working in an atmosphere where people are there to relax and have a good time. Plus, mixing drinks is a rad art form," she said.
Malak describes herself as an art-punk non-conformist musician.
Her favorite quote is: "Half rabbit, half man/His life devoid
of pleasure/Since Trix is for kids." – Rich Mackin, Consumer Defense
Corporate Poet.
19. Michelle Samarel, 28, from Long Island, N.Y. works at Oddfellows Rest in Hoboken. For 10 years she has been serving patrons while behind the bar. Her drink of choice is a margarita. She describes herself as energetic, crazy, and fun.
"I’ll make you laugh and enjoy the rest of your day," she said.
Samarel became a bartender because she "thought it would be fun. I love hanging out with people especially when there’s drinking involved."
Vote for her because she can make a Sunday brunch feel like a Friday night.
20. Kelly Gowers, 34, from Bayonne works at the Arena at George’s in Bayonne. She likes Coors light and has bartended for five years.
"I am a blonde with brown eyes. I am very friendly and make people laugh. I love to entertain the customers. I’m a people person and love to deal with the public," Gowers said.
Her favorite quote is: "I only had three!"
21. Jack Link lives in Rutherford and is married. He likes beer and works at the Wilton House in Hoboken. He likes easy-listening music and "was having too much fun to remember" the ’80s.
If you visit him at the bar, "Behave yourself or you’re out of here."
22. Yamil Bonilla from Jersey City likes the margaritas he whips up at Baja in Hoboken. A Latin rock enthusiast, Bonilla enjoys scary movies and dressing up in Halloween.
He can’t live without his car, drinks and women.
He has bartended for a few years and he says patrons tell him he looks like former Yankee Tino Martinez.
His favorite quote is: "Watch your back."
23. Bobby Drago, 23, from Bayonne works at the Arena at George’s in Bayonne. He is dating and likes Captain and cokes. Drago listens to everything and has bartended for just a couple of years. He can’t live without food, drinks and sports. He still reminisces about the Mets winning the World Series.
Drago’s favorite quote: "Even a broken clock strikes two times a day."
24. Tara Lynne Haase, 25, from New Jersey works at The Gaslight in Hoboken. For four years she has been a bartender. She decided to pursue the job because "I was a cocktail waitress at Scores in New York City for two years, and I loved watching people bartend, and I said, ‘I want to do that,’ so I did."
She describes herself as a dog and sports lover. She dances and cooks and pretty much experiences life because "you only live once."
Her favorite drink is a dirty Ketel martini with olives.
Her favorite quote is, "You get out of life what you put into it."
25. Sue Hanlon, 31, originally from Dublin, Ireland. She works at The Merchant in Jersey City. Her favorite drink is the car bomb and she has bartended for 15 years.
"I was born into the business. It’s part of being Irish. When all other kids are drinking milk, us Irish kids are drinking Guinness, otherwise known as ‘Genius.’"
Hanlon describes herself as outgoing, fun, and very personable. She likes to travel. She says readers should vote for her because "If they knew me, they’d know why."
26. Michele Peddie, 33, lives in Bayonne at works at the Arena at George’s in Bayonne. She likes Lynchberg Lemonades and has been behind the bar for six years. She became a bartender because it’s "lots of fun and she enjoys people and likes to see them having a good time."
She is friendly and smiles a lot.
Favorite quote is: "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade."
27. Tom Moloney lives in Hoboken and works at Onieal’s. His favorite drink this month is Ketel One and tonic. For more than two years he has bartended. He decided to pursue the business "so I would work nights, avoid wearing ties and sleep with older women." He describes himself as charming and witty with a touch of jackass.
Readers should vote for him because he "would legalize marijuana and rid of the drinking age." His favorite quote is: "You’ve created your boundaries. It’s okay to explore them."
28. Sean Connor, 33, from Jersey City works at Maxwell’s in Hoboken. He loves black coffee and has been behind the bar for 10 years. He became a bartender because "I can’t wake up early." He describes himself as tall, dark, handsome and brilliant.
Vote for Connor because "I’ll reform the tax system."
His favorite quote is: "I’m gonna wear them happy shoes tonight."
29. Sharon Healy, 28, from Bayonne works at Duffy’s in Hoboken. She loves dirty martinis and has been bartending for three years.
"I love to serve drunk people, and I need the money," Healy said. "I’m bitter and jaded and desperate to get out of this industry."
Her favorite quote is: "How about a nice tall glass of shut the ____ up."