James Hufnagel drives an hour and 45 minutes to work at The Bowery in Myrtle Beach

Bartender

▪ James Hufnagel

Bar

▪ The Bowery

Local?

I actually live in Florence. Hour and 45 minutes away.

How did you get into bartending?

I’ve been here at the Bowery for 23 years. As soon as I was old enough to get in I’ve been right here.

Best memory from the Bowery?

I’ve seen Alabama on stage three or four times, that’s pretty good, you know I’ve seen them do their big hits.

First job?

My first job was dishwashing at the Ponderosa in Surfside Beach.

Do you have any secret skills?

No, I’m very untalented.

Most embarrassing moment?

I probably shouldn’t describe it, bodily functions and all, you know?

Do you think the drinking age should be lowered to 18?

Absolutely not. Most people even at 21 aren’t ready to handle that situation.

Best tip you’ve ever gotten?

I had a girl come in here with an $11 tab and she tipped me $189. She just won a big settlement, so she came in here and dropped two $100 bills on the bar.

Craziest thing you’ve ever seen at the Bowery?

I’ve seen naked women dancing around, I’ve taken pictures of some naked chick on this bar right where we’re standing now.

Favorite drink to make?

Well my specialty is Budweiser can. Favorite drink? I don’t know, sex on the beach, right?

Any perks to being a bartender?

Many, many perks, yeah. The things you get to see, the people you get to meet.

Favorite drink to consume?

Budweiser. Love that stuff.

Ever had anyone bail on a tab?

Hundreds of times, probably over the years. The one that cost me the most? Like 70 something dollars.

Biggest bar tab you’ve ever seen?

$400, $450?

Best quality in a bartender?

Being able to talk to people. More than making drinks, is being able to talk to people.

Dream dinner lineup?

George Washington, would be a pretty cool dude. Scott Weiland from Stone Temple Pilots I always thought was cool, and maybe Axl Rose.

Are you voting?

Definitely. I’m probably voting for Trump right now. I hate to say that but, he’s got it going on.

Signature drink?

Strawberry lemonade. Strawberry vodka, triple sec, lime juice, sour, grenadine, and Sprite.

By Josh Bell, For The Surge

This story was originally published January 27, 2016 at 11:15 PM with the headline "James Hufnagel drives an hour and 45 minutes to work at The Bowery in Myrtle Beach."