Rockin’ the Bar at Surly Wench Pub
by Kelly Lewis
Jasmine Pierce, a lead bartender at Surly Wench Pub, is one lucky lady.
“I live kind of a charmed life,” Pierce said. “I’ve designed my life so that I’m able to do what I want, when I want, and I love it.”
When she’s not working the bar at Surly Wench Pub, 424 N. 4th Ave., Pierce is a local landlord, a dog owner, a sister to five and a friend to many. Originally from Tucson, Pierce, 32, started bartending at 19 after a move to New York City. When the weather got to be too cold, she came back to Tucson and sauntered into the Surly Wench Pub.
“I said, ‘Hi, I’m Jasmine. I see you’ve named a bar after me, so I guess you should probably hire me,’ and that was it,” Pierce said. “We’re a tight knit crew here. I love coming to work because it’s not even like coming to work; I get to hang out with my family that I work with and regulars who are friends. I just kind of feel blessed with everything in my life.”
From punk rock nights to Black Cherry Burlesque shows, there’s something happening at Surly Wench Pub almost every night of the week, which Pierce says helps to keep things interesting. The crowd is diverse but fun, and their late night cash-only kitchen serves classic bar food—burgers, nachos and wings—until the wee hours.
The food is good, Pierce said, so good that you can find her at Surly Wench Pub even when she’s not working, eating and joking with whoever is behind the bar. But the best part about working at Surly Wench Pub, Pierce says, is that her customers are very respectful…for the most part.
“Walking in here is like walking into our living room,” Pierce said. “We want you to have a good time, but we also want everyone else to have a good time, so if you come in here with your douchebaggery and a bad attitude, it’s not going to fly. Be respectful of us, and this place and you will love this bar.”
On Trends in Mixology: “The trends are always kind of the same. I think there are a lot more orders for classic cocktails now. It has gone back to speakeasy style, but I feel like it’s always been there. I love, love, love making classic cocktails: Old Fashioneds, Martinis, Manhattans… I can make the sh*t out of some classic cocktails.”
Favorite Ingredients: “Jameson, Jameson and Jameson. It has the most amazing flavor and it’s just kind of perfect all of the time. I am loyal to my whiskey. If I’m out drinking, it’s Jameson or nothing—I’ll switch to vodka.”
Jameson Kamikaze
1-1/2 oz. Jameson
1/2 oz. Triple Sec
Splash of Sweet and Sour
1 lemon, freshly squeezed
Shake, strain and serve. Party in your mouth!
For more information, visit SurlyWenchPub.com or call 882-0009.
Category: FOOD & DRINK, NIGHTLIFE
