There is no hiding from a good time at the Fairview Social, especially with the help from Matthew Brierley. Behind the bar, he keeps the crowd happy and the energy high. His laid-back attitude and easy-going personality keep his regulars coming back for more. Whether it’s at Fairview or Exit 6 Bar and Nightclub, you can always find Matt pouring something up.
Originally from Northeast Philadelphia, Matt has been bartending for seven years. By bringing his skills from home to the Jersey Shore, he was able to land in Wildwood bartending at a couple different places. He now finds himself at Fairview and Exit 6.
In the bar industry, money comes quickly. So, it’s not uncommon for it to be a side gig. For Matt, bartending quickly became something bigger, and he now typically bartends five or six days out of the week.
“It just became a full-time job for me,” Matt said, “I am lucky enough to be able to do this everywhere I go whether it’s home or down the shore.”
Before spending his summer in Wildwood bartending for tourists and beachgoers, Matt works at Paddy Whacks Pub in South Philadelphia.
Make Matt’s espresso martini:
2 oz. vodka
1 oz. Mr. Black coffee liqueur
1 oz. espresso
0.5 oz. Licor 43
Top off with three coffee beans
During off season he continues to bartend at home, while making time to occasionally come back down the shore for some weekend, beach bartending.
Matt is the kind of bartender who can handle tough situations in a calm, cool and collected manner. Whatever the vibe of the night is, Matt handles it with ease. The energy is steady, the drinks are solid, and the customers keep coming back—not just for what’s in the glass, but for who’s behind it.
“We have a ton of regulars who take care of me,” Matt said. “The best part of the job is building relationships with my customers and knowing they are going to get good service.”
His strengths lie in the knowledge he has of the bar scene—it’s not an easy spotlight to be in. Coworkers and customers described him as “top notch” and I couldn’t agree more. There’s nothing better than a friendly person who knows what they’re doing behind the bar.
As I said before, he bartends at two different bars in Wildwood. And if you know anything about either of them, you know they are complete opposites.
Fairview is a social club known to be slightly more upscale than your average dive-bar, featuring signature cocktails and weekly food specials. Exit 6 is known for the night life scene, being one of the only “nightclubs” left on the island.
Matt said, “I’ve learned to bartend in a more serious place and make pretty drinks right and I’ve learned to quickly crack beers open in a less serious, but more crowded, place.” Combining the two experiences that each bar offers, Matt has created the perfect tool bag for any bar situation—there’s nothing he hasn’t seen.
Over the years, Matt has gotten some crazy drink requests, including a straight mix of Hennessey and Casamigos. Gross. But he has also perfected his signature drink that he serves to customers and indulges in during his free time: a timeless espresso martini. It’s the kind of drink that gets re-ordered often—and remembered faster.
From mixing up crowd favorites to keeping good vibes, Matt brings the kind of spirit that makes his bars shore staples. It’s a mix of skill personality, and local charm that earns him his success. Or it could be the strong martinis.
Stop by Exit 6 on Wednesdays and Fairview the other days to see Matt behind the bar before summer slips away—or you’ll have to visit him during football season in Philly.
