Bartender of the week: Zac Searcy of Lift

October 20, 8:54 AMDallas Bartender ExaminerRobert Stahl

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As a bartender, Zac Searcy of Lift loves looking up to see an ocean of people

Zac Searcy of Lift has been bartending since he was 19 years old. “I have worked in the restaurant and bar industry since I was 14,” says Zac, who is originally from Odessa but has lived in Dallas most of his life. “When I turned 18 I started waiting tables with the sole intention of moving into the bar.” He’s been doing it ever since. “There is just nothing like looking up and not being able to see where the ocean of people ends, and hoping it never will.”

When Zac is not bartending he enjoys a variety of outdoor activities. “Anything involving being outside makes me happy. I enjoy snowboarding, skiing, golf, running, wakeboarding, and drinking too much tequila on a patio!” Zac also enjoys time with his family, and likes to celebrate life every day. “I’m very passionate about all the little things. Food, wine, and spirits have always been a passion of mine, ranging from a properly made grilled cheese sandwich to a bottle of 82' Haut Brion. Either way I am in heaven.”

What sets you apart from other bartenders?
I always try to remember people’s names and what they drink. Customers get a kick out of it when I remember their drinks and it really helps me when we are slammed!

What’s your favorite drink, and why?
I have a few. Stoli and soda with a lemon, an Amstel light, and my girl has me hooked on Patron shots with a splash of grapefruit. I have always loved tequila and the grapefruit’s light sweetness and citrus touch is a perfect compliment.

What’s your least favorite thing about bartending?
Customers that stiff you. I would love to elaborate more but it would just end up being filled with 4 letter words.

Tell me about your worst day behind the bar?
About 6 years ago I started working at Martini Ranch as a fill in, which was my first experience in a true high volume environment. The second shift I ever worked was at the “point” of the bar, which means you are responsible for making the drinks for all the cocktail servers and the largest section of the bar—by far the busiest section. It was a Monday night, Christmas Eve, and it was insane! I have never been “in the weeds” so bad in my life and there was no getting out of it. Customers and servers are yelling at me, I'm breaking glasses, spilling drinks, confusing orders, I could not even think straight. It was all worth it though. We set a bar record that night, I made more money in one night than I ever had before, and came to find the other bartenders had the same night I did.

What’s your favorite bar joke?
A man comes home from work and finds his wife packing her bags. When he asks what she is doing she says, "I'm moving to Vegas. I hear women there can get $400 for a blow job." The husband immediately starts packing his bags as well. When she asks him why he replies, "I'm going to Vegas too to see you try to live on $800 a year."

For more info: Ask Zac to make one of his signature cocktails, the Zac Attack, Thursday thru Saturday evenings at Lift Lounge, an upscale nightclub in Uptown.  Zac also works Monday through Wednesday evenings at Fuse in downtown Dallas.

Related article:

• Cocktail recipe:  Zac Attack from Zac Searcy of Lift

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