Years ago, young Jordan Lowery once quit a job as a waiter because his manager wouldn’t make him a bartender. “It just looked like so much fun back there,” says the father of two. "So, I went to another restaurant that would give me a chance.” Once he got the hang of it, bartending was all he wanted to do. “And it turned out to be pretty good for my wallet. I quickly learned that you can save a lot of money if you just work until the bar closes and not get a chance to go out afterwards and blow half your earnings,” he jokes. Today, the self-described sports nut is bar manager at The Fan Sports Lounge, a stylish-yet-affordable new gathering place for sports fanatics in Victory Park, just a stone’s throw from American Airlines Center.
What’s your favorite thing about bartending?
I like the physical work. I love being really busy. There’s nothing in the world like high-volume bartending. When you’re in the zone, time goes by so fast. Its challenging but very gratifying work. Every day is a different chance to redefine yourself and your abilities.
What’s your signature drink?
I do a really mean drink at The Fan Sports Lounge called The Root Beer shot, aka the Mug shot. It’s two parts Three Olives Root Beer vodka, one part vanilla vodka, and a splash of root beer. It tastes exactly like root beer, so it’s pretty deceptive.
What would you tell a beginning bartender?
At the very first place I worked at there were some great guys who worked there and more than anything I just did not want to let them down. My first bosses would just stand at the well watching me and telling me to go faster, faster, faster, So my advice to a newbie would be to not come in and try to shake things up too much. Keep your head down, keep your mouth shut and learn.
What’s the biggest misconception about bartending?
That it’s not hard work. Listen, I know it’s not brain surgery by any means, but it takes a certain mindset to be a bartender. It is hard work. People think we just stand around and talk to people all day, and yes, there is that element, but it’s also so much more than that. People say, “Why don’t you do out and get a real job?” I just wish they could come along with me when I’m working a crowd in a rush or when I’ve had to change out the three kegs in a row that just blew.
What’s your most memorable bartending moment?
I was asked to do a birthday party for Dallas Cowboys legend Deon Sanders at his house. Deon was so nice, he helped me set up the bar and I hung out with his kids. That was a very special night, a ritzy, black-tie kind of thing. Within arms reach were all these sports powerhouses: Jerry Jones, Michael Irvin, Ronnie Lott, Marshall Faulk. It was surreal.
For more info: The Fan Sports Lounge is located at 2990 Olive Street under the Cirque Building in Victory Park, Dallas, Texas, 75219; 214-272-3908.
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