What's Good in NEPA?
Kimberly Eckhart - NEPA's Favorite Bartender
By Amy Wyman - Updated 03.25.12
The LORD OF THE DRINKS is an exciting contest brought to you by WBSnightout. The contest decides NEPA's Favorite Bartender of the year. It occurs annually and allows people to nominate and vote for their favorite bartender. This year was the second year of the contest and has been gaining quite a following, with over 4000 votes counted this year. This year's winner was Kimberly Eckhart of The Woodlands Inn & Resort. In honor of her winning this coveted title, I had the wonderful opportunity to interview Kimberly.
For the interview, I met with Kim at the gorgeous Woodlands, and since it's been so warm and sunny, which is quite weird for it only being March, we did the interview outside on the Havana Outdoor Deck where we could hear Laurel Run Creek and watch the ducks.
To start, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I'm crazy (laughs) ... in a good way though. I'm really personable and easy-going and I make friends quickly with just about anybody. I love to have fun and pull pranks on my friends and get everyone laughing. I'm basically a kid at heart. I love to make people laugh. I like to socialize, drink, and mingle with everyone.
What are some of the things you like to do in your free time?
Basically, I'm a huge outdoor adventure kind of girl, I like hiking, white-water rafting, and skiing; I actually just took my 6 year old daughter for skiing lessons, she loved it. I want to take skydiving lessons and go rock climbing soon too. My mother loves the outdoors, that's what got me into it. She hikes the Appalachian trail all the time.
Did you know you had been nominated for the LORD of the DRINKS, or was it a complete surprise?
Well my friend Damien, who owns Inlan, a local company that does Mac computer repairs, told me he nominated me for the contest and I was so surprised! So I put it on my Facebook page and asked my friends to vote and they all said they would. But yeah, I was very surprised and excited to win.
What qualities do you have that you think make you such a great bartender?
Well I think because I'm naturally happy and upbeat that's a huge help. Also I'm very fast and I remember my customers, if I see a face, I can remember what they like to drink. Just being able to say "Oh hi again, want me to get you your usual (fill in the drink)?" really makes them feel known and appreciated. It's like Cheers, where everyone knows your name. Also keeping an eye on everyone and asking things like "Are you low?" or "Can I get you anything else?" are just great reminders that while you may be busy, you care and you are paying attention to them. And customers love it when you tell them jokes or share personal stories, they open right up and they'll tell you their own. So Basically if I were to give someone advice on how to be a better bartender I'd tell them to smile and be open and happy and to get to know their customers and what they like to drink.
What is it about the Woodlands that you think makes it a great bar?
Well, actually it's several bars. We have the Havana Outdoor Deck, and the Crescenzo's Brick Oven Eatery and Expresso Bar right inside, you can get coffee or food there too, not just drinks. Then there's Shogun, the Japanese place, and Evolution Night Club if you want to go someplace to dance. We also have the Executive Lounge where you can go and listen to great live bands. Basically having all these different atmospheres means there's something for everyone and it's never dull. We are always changing up the menu and the wine list, and the food is always great! We have happy hours almost every day of the week, and we always have some special going on. People also love the live music, we have live bands on Wednesday, Friday, and all through the weekend. Bands come from New Jersey, New York, and sometimes we also have local bands.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about the Woodlands?
Well it was once just a small hotel and one bar, that's how it started out. Now we buy the most liquor in the entire state of Pennsylvania, even more than the casinos! People are surprised when I tell them that, but it's not that surprising when you realize we have all our regular venues and then on top of that we have weddings basically every weekend along with banquets, private parties, and everything else.
So what do you enjoy most about bartending? Is it a tough job?
Well, it can be. We live off tips so if it's a bad night on tips, that's rough. There will be nights where everyone tips well, and there's nights when people just don't. But aside from that, I think it's a fantastic job. I've been doing it for 13 years, I actually started here as a cocktail waitress, I had no clue what Absolut was. A friend recommended me and it's a really fun place to work. They treat all the employees really well here, they'll do employee of the month and stuff like that and just try to make it fun for us in general. What I really enjoy most about bartending is getting to know all the people that come in. I know people from Miami to Europe because I work at the bar and each one is so interesting, they make me laugh.
How does a great bartender go above and beyond to make the night memorable?
Well besides being personable and remembering people's drinks, it's good to get festive and have theme parties so people get to see the venue from a different perspective. We do Mardi Gras and Saint Patrick's day parties, everything and we decorate for different events we have going on. Also if someone seems to not know what they want, ask them if they prefer sweet, medium, or hard and make a suggestion. It helps to know your drinks and what goes into them. Here we like to have very knowledgable bartenders, the customers really look for that. Basically to be a good bartender you need to be knowledgeable, fun and caring.
So, if you're in the Wilkes-Barre area, and looking for something to do, stop by The Woodlands Inn & Resort on Route 315 and say hi to Kimberly Eckhart, NEPA's favorite bartender! I'm sure she will make your visit very memorable.
Previously Featured
Mexican with a Side of Pizza!March - The best of both worlds, Italy & Mexico, can be found at Pizza King's Pizzeria & Mexican Restaurant! The only authentic Mexican restaurant in NEPA.
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