Carson City mixologist works her craft to create a 'happy place' at Glen Eagles

Art has many facets and can be found almost anywhere and within anyone. To me, there’s nothing more fascinating and entertaining than watching professionals execute their craft, totally absorbed and unaware of those watching them.

Recently, may husband and I decided to enjoy a light dinner and a glass of wine at the very popular Glen Eagles restaurant and bar in north Carson City. It turned out on this Thursday evening that the restaurant and bar was packed with people of all ages. We found a seat at the pub-like bar and then, for me, the show began as bartender Katrina Dale worked her craft dancing her way behind the narrow bar, always smiling as she took a myriad of orders from servers and bar guests.

Tending bar is not for everyone. No matter how good your shoes, it takes stamina to be on your feet for the long shifts. It takes a good attitude to be able to greet all-types of guests, and it takes an encyclopedic mind to be able to instantly recall one exotic cocktail or another.

It also takes a willingness to work hard and to realize this is a great way to make a very comfortable living without spending a fortune on a college degree, although knowledge of psychology might be useful.

Working in the restaurant industry for over 40 years, Dale is every inch the professional and learned every aspect of the restaurant industry while working at the famous — now closed — Christmas Tree restaurant off Mt. Rose Highway. At age 14, she washed dishes, bused tables, and did what was needed to work her way up the ladder. Asked how she came to work in the hospitality industry, specifically in bars, she stated, “This career chose me, and I’ve never looked back.”

Many locals have been served by Dale who worked nine years at the still missed original Bodine’s — closed in January 2006 — then torn down to rebuild as the casino of the same name. She then went on to work for Garibaldi’s Ristorante for the next 11 years and has been behind the bar at Glen Eagles for the past two years, taking the place of long-time bartender Kenny Hutchins who, today, is the bar manager and greets guests four nights weekly.

Confined to a small area filled with bottles, ice, and glasses on one side of the bar and guests on the other, a bartender must know every inch of the bar. He or she must perfect a well-choreographed dance to efficiently and effortlessly serve as many as possible all the while keeping an eye on guests and making small talk to those seated on the barstools. She laughs, “I need to be on my A-game all the time.”

Being a bartender is much more than mixing cocktails. The day I interviewed Dale, I found her in the storeroom unpacking bottles. While it may seem to some the work to be done is confined to the bar area, she stated, “We are a full-service restaurant and that means I need to do whatever is necessary to keep the bar efficient and the thirsty guests in the bar and restaurant happy.” No gym membership is needed for this bartender who, when on duty, lifts, bends, does her bartender dance moves, and gets in those thousands of steps daily.

Why do people frequent bars? Much of the reasoning is social. Like in the TV sitcom “Cheers,” you want to catch up with people you enjoy, unwind a bit, and in the case of Glen Eagles, listen and dance to some good tunes by the Craig Fletcher Band Wednesday-Saturday.

Dale understands what is needed, “They want a friendly greeting, a good drink just the way they like it, and attentive service.” That service sometimes translates to a drive home if someone had just a bit too much. The staff wants each guest to feel as though Glen Eagles is a “happy place.” Those seated at the bar also like to chat and she’s good at listening — and making comments! Don’t expect her to twirl bottles like Tom Cruise!

The art of mixology can be learned at a bartending school in Reno; however, the best way to train is to receive on the job training from another great bartender. Crafting a good drink is a work of art. The older guests want the mixed drinks they so enjoyed over these many years, and the younger guests have more experimental tastes.

Recently, Isaac Daley, formerly tending bar at Duke’s Steakhouse, joined the team to provide even faster and more efficient service to guests. Dale now has a dance partner making it even more of a sport to navigate that small space.

As Carson City’s dining and bar scene expands, bartenders will be even more in demand. Those who can “Put a smile on the face of a guest, mix a good drink, and make the atmosphere feel as though you were visiting family,” according to Dale, “will reap financial awards not found in ordinary day jobs.”

— Ronni Hannaman is the executive director of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce.