I’ll admit, I was a little nervous about it. I had just been invited to do not ONE, but TWO celebrity bartending gigs in one weekend. The only “bartending” I’d ever done before consisted of an impromptu, but epic, night behind the bar at McFadden’s Ballpark in 2008. Good cheer flowed freely, the crowd was easy to please, and no one yelled at the little girl behind the bar. (Did I mention the Phillies had just won the World Series?)
Nevertheless, I was honored to be asked by Students Run Philly Style to celebrity bartend their Happy Hour at the Field House. This program is successfully mentoring kids through marathon training, combining guidance, inspiration, and an enthusiasm for exercise. How could I say no? Besides, they promised to let me wear one of their really cool shirts! You can purchase them at Students Run events!
Not until my 5 minute bartending cram session, did it dawn on me that I haven’t really “poured” a beer since college. (“How about some beer with that foam?”) After all, it’s not like I have a tap at home. (Although my brother did in college, and still managed to graduate. Way to go Geoff!) Looks like those skills I learned waitressing in high school were finally going to pay off.
Luckily, the only real pressure I felt was to raise enough extra dollars for the kids to make a difference. And you’d be surprised at how generous and forgiving a Philly crowd can be, when they know all of your tips are headed to a worthy cause.
Inside info: The key to success for an inexperienced guest bartender – pour heavily! And remember, you don’t work there, so you can’t truly get fired. 
Missed the event but would like to help out? You can donate to Students Run Philly Style here: http://www.studentsrunphilly.org/donate.html
For details of my second night of survival, stay tuned for more “Adventures in Bartending” featuring photos of yours truly and PhillyIn’s own Justin, guest-bartending at Public House, “PhillyIn Public”.
See photos from the Students Run event below!
More photos in the gallery below!
