We’ve put off featuring Mathias as our Featured Bartender long enough. He’s truly one of the most deserving bartenders in Milwaukee for this recognition. He works multiple venues and is  amongst the best at what he does. Beyond bartending, he is a skilled mixologist. His drink menus  and influences can be found all over town. If you drink mixed drinks in Milwaukee, chances are you’ve had one of his cocktails. He even did some recipes for us early on.

He can be found at Decibel from 7-close on their Tuesday S.I.N. night, Jackalope on Wednesdays from 8-close, Star Bar on Thursdays and Fridays 9-close and Cans on Sundays 6-close.

Experience:
I’ve been serving drinks for 10 years. I think I’ve only truly become a bartender over the last 5 years.

Favorite Drink to Drink:
Depends on my mood. Ice cold High Life or a Strongbow usually. I also have been known to do shots. I like shots!

Favorite Drink to Serve:
Pretty much anything. I love what I do. I love serving unique creations or creating something on the spot. But seriously
people, stop ordering Appletinis and cranberry-vodkas.

What is your inspiration for your recipes?
A lot of my drinks come from almost anywhere. I see a crazy pairing in a restaurant menu or recipe, like habañero peppers and banana, and I like to try it in liquid form. I’ve tried drinks based off of deli counter salads, like apple, pear and curry salad. I take pride in being able to make the ‘most useless product’ work in a drink. My main inspiration is New York. I’d like to see this city catch on to what is cutting edge! Bartenders are doing some crazy shit out there!

Why Bartending?
Kinda fell into it. I started off doing banquets and parties, etc, “serving drinks.” At one point, I was in school working a factory job and moonlighting in the industry for extra cash. I got laid off from my factory job and took work at Outback Steakhouse. Within a month they made me a bartender, and I haven’t looked back. I love what I do! This is my career, and I’m good at it. I make very good money. I love the hours and I like the freedom to do other things that are important to me.

Ideal Night Out:
When I’m out I like to do my thing. See good people behind the bar, having a good time, good cocktails. Good tunes and retarded conversation. Basically [I like to] get weird!

Pet Peeves:
Just a few: 5 different multi-ingredient shots; yelling and waving money; demanding attention and not having your order ready; ordering the wrong drink and making us look retarded; and the growing trend of plastic money. Seriously people, if you’re going out on the town, stop at the bank and grab some cash. If you’re going to use your credit card to pay for two shots at $8, and then pull out a hundred dollars in cash to buy a pack of cigarettes, stay home! Businesses have to pay for the use of credit cards. Also, when someone uses their card each time they buy a round, it makes the bartender take longer to serve other people ... that’s just selfish! Knock the dust off your wallet and pull out some cash.

Craziest Night Behind the Bar:
Probably working the Harley 105th Anniversary at Three this past summer. We had a rock-star staff of all-star bartenders. Good rock, bikes, beer, boobs and dice. The night got weird as some chicks got on the bar and started taking off their clothes. To keep it PG, we had to put an end to a show that would have made Jenna Jameson uncomfortable! It was pretty much awesome.

Philosophy Behind the Bar:
I like to have different “moods” at different venues. You can be classy and upscale or shoot dice and party. [It goes] according to what your patrons want. I treat this like a skilled trade. I can’t do heart surgery or wire a house, and I don’t expect others to be able to tend bar beyond serving drinks. Keep your head up and pay attention to everything. I like to be fast, clean and personable. If you’re busy, that eye contact with a customer lets them know you see them and buys you two minutes to serve them. What we do is not a hobby. This is our REAL JOB!