By this point, many of you already have your favorite bartender and bar where you go to—someone who knows your usual drink order or a person you can just sit and chat with. But it’s never too late to give a new bar a chance. Although he’s only been bartending for about a year, he knows the bar scene like the back of his hand.
Meet Brian “BeastGal” Gallagher, a 22-year-old from West Deptford, New Jersey and the newest face making drinks behind the bar at the Wharf in Wildwood. Whether he’s making mixed drinks or just making conversation with new customers, Brian is proving that rookies can hold their own behind the bar.
For Brian, bartending wasn’t always on his mind. He had been a barback in Philadelphia and down the shore for the last three years—so, technically, he has always been behind the bar. This past fall, he decided to step into the role as a bartender and continued it at the Wharf for this summer season. “It honestly feels like I’ve been bartending for years,” Brian said.
Even as a new bartender, Brian has already built his own style of bartending—laid back efficient and focused on making people feel welcomed and taken care of. He loves making new connections with coworkers and customers, and he said that getting to know new people is one of the highlights of being a bartender.
Like any new bartender, you have to learn new things. And you have to learn them quickly. “The hardest part is learning to deal with so many people at one time,” Brian said. Still, he keeps it cool and figures it out. He brings a fun, upbeat energy to the bar that is rare to see these days—and there’s nothing he enjoys more.
“I feel like there’s a spotlight on me every time I walk into the bar,” Brian said. “I truly love it.”
Brian is not just a bartender, but a Rowan University graduate with a degree in Film Production. As a freelance photographer, doing everything from weddings to athlete highlights, bartending will forever be a part of his life. “My dad and grandfather always say it’s the best second job you could ever have,” Brian said.
When he’s off shift, a simple bottle of Michelob Ultra is his drink of choice. Or, even better, a coffee shot from “Uncle Kev Colfer” (AKA Uncle Kev’s Coffee Shot) at the Wharf or Exit6. But his favorite, and most popular, drink to make is an orange crush, which is a vodka drink with fresh orange juice—and the customers love it.
Brian is loved by all the people that know him. He is described as not only a good person to work with but also a good friend. And that carries right over into his personality as a bartender.
The Wharf has three bars in total and Brian can be found at a different bar six days out of the week. Catch him at his favorite bar, “The Rio Bar”, on the back deck, on Sundays and Mondays. Don’t forget to tell him that I sent you there.
9sidebar) Make an orange crush:
3 count triple sec
5 count orange vodka
Top with club soda and fresh orange juice
Garnish with an orange
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