BARTENDING AT THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

BY: Michael A. Aun, FIC, LUTCF, CSP, CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame

One of the coolest part-time jobs I ever had back in the late sixties was that of a bartender at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Columbia, SC….

Back in those days, you couldn't buy liquor-by-the-drink in South Carolina. However, the Knights of Columbus was a private club. We could serve you "mixers" for liquor you would "brown bag." At least that is what the rules said. We actually had our own rules.

We kept liquor in locked cabinets behind the bar and presumably this liquor was the property of our members. All we were doing was serving their liquor and charging a "corkage" or "mixer" fee.

The K of C Hall was renowned for two reasons: 1- the best Singapore Slings and Whiskey Sours in town, and 2- the spot on the wall inside the door where the late Bill Broom sat at the end of the bar and sucked down 25 cents draft beer. Bill was good for 20 per night. He sat there so many years that he actually created a spot on the paneling in the bar, known as the Bill Broom spot.

Tending bar was a cool job for me because I was single and on the prowl for women. People would come to the door and ring the bell and if they didn't look like the fuzz, we would buzz them in.

Most of our clientele were students from the University of South Carolina. All the women were single and available. Little did the big shot boyfriends know, I could troll for possible dates from their dates.

Everybody wants to know "the bartender" and many would simply cozy up to me, if for no other reason than to learn how to make our famous "Singapore Sling."

A "Singapore Sling" was a concoction of gin, cherry flavored brandy and grenadine mixed with two parts lemon and one part sugar… shaken not stirred. It tastes like "juiced up" pink lemonade.

The guys loved it because it helped with the process of getting their dates "in the mood" and the gals liked it because they could "get in the mood" with something that tasted good.

You actually have to acquire a taste for most booze. Scotch is that way for me. It tastes like turpentine, or at least how I think turpentine would taste if I were dumb enough to try it. It's an acquired taste.

The Knights of Columbus Hall was the most happening place in all of Columbia. The fraternity houses at USC would have their parties in our dance hall downstairs from the main bar, and I could pick up additional bartending opportunities at their private parties.

I also had the benefit of watching some of the best musical talent in the south perform at those venues, many of which went on to become famous…groups like the Georgia Prophets, to name just one.

One of the fun tasks that I had was to choose the musical selections for our "juke box" we had upstairs in the main bar. Being the big "beach music" fan, I loaded the box with the Tams, the Drifters, the Temptations and variety of other "beach bands."

Yankees and Californians, which are … well… synonymous… actually think beach music has something to do with the Beach Boys. Nothing could be further from the truth.

You "shag" to beach music. You look goofy dancing to the Beach Boys. "Shagging" has a different meaning to different groups throughout the world, but if you grew up in South Carolina, it was THE DANCE that was done on the shores of Myrtle Beach.

I remember one summer I hitchhiked from Lexington to Ocean Drive in North Myrtle Beach, SC with nothing but a tooth brush in my pocket. I got a job tending bar in "O-D" and within days had money for rent, clothes and food. I was single and doing my thing. What a terrific experience.

I'd probably disinherit my three sons if they had pulled that gag under my roof.

My… those were the good old days. How I do miss them!