Brody offers up her special “Bloody Mary” – a must have for that early Saturday morning!

Union Street Public House

121 South Union Street

Old Town Alexandria

703-548-1785

UnionStreetPublicHouse.com

How did you get lured into the bartending business?

While studying theatre in London there was a pub across the street from campus called The Hare and Hounds where we would go after class/rehearsals. I became friends with the owners and they asked me if I could bartend part time. I was thrilled because I had waited tables before but never bartended.…in London no less! So I learned all about bitter shandys, Pimms and lemonade and always “light on the ice” with ALL cocktails. And, don’t forget the boisterous footballers.

What is your bartender pet peeve?

Snapping, whistling, speakerphones, bad table manners and overall rudeness.

What is the best line anyone has used on you in an effort to get a free drink?

If you ask or imply you just blew your chance.

What is the most memorable “pick up” line you’ve heard to date?

This was a tough question because I really haven't heard any in a long time. So….I asked around and these two lines really tickled my funny bone. "Is that a mirror in your pants because I can see my self in them" and "If you were a booger I’d pick you".

Do you have an interesting story to share with us?

I used to tour with a children's theatre company in western New York as a puppeteer specializing in a Japanese form of puppetry called Bunraku. The puppets ranged in size from two to seven feet tall and we, as the puppeteers, wore all black including hoods that enabled us to see out but the audience could not see our faces.  We would pack the van with the sets, lights, sound, puppets, costumes and props and perform shows like Peter and the Wolf to elementary schools, colleges and theatres. We were in Long Island, New York performing The Snow Queen in an elementary school gymnasium. The show went great but when it was time to do the bows at the end a "magic wand' was left on the floor. That being said, I ended up slipping on it and falling straight to the ground. It was quite humbling to have a whole school of children laugh at you! And maybe just a little bit embarrassing.

Who would you most like to sit down and have a drink with?

Samuel Beckett, Wassily Kandinsky and Cosmo Jarvis have inspired me to think outside the box and to not be afraid to express myself. And I would also love to have a drink with “Pinky” my grandpa.

Brody is behind the bar Tues-Sat 11:30 to 6:00. Thursday 11:30-9:00.

If you would like to see your favorite bartender featured here, send contact information to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .