Bartender Dan Boyd is serving a Sunset Cocktail
Dan is behind the bar Noon till Closing, Wed. - Sunday
at
McLoone's Pier House
141 National Plaza
National Harbor, MD 20745
301-839-0815
www.mcloonespierhousenh.com

How did you get started in the Bartending business?

As silly as it sounds, I was pouring a beer for myself years ago, “and of course I was 21, wink-wink,” when all of the sudden a customer came into the bar I worked at and asked for a beer.  Not wanting to get caught, I replied, “You’re in luck.  I was just checking the lines, and have one right here for you fresh and cold.”  And here we are today.

What is your bartender pet peeve?

I actually don’t have one.  When you make this business your passion, you need to realize that you signed on to make people as a whole happy.  They want to feel comfortable and expect you to provide them with that simple task of letting them enjoy their unwinding from their day.  That’s why it’s called the service industry.

What's the best line somebody has used to get a free drink from you?

Joking around of course, but I actually had a couple come up to me and the husband said, “ I’ll trade my wife for a shot of bourbon please.”  I put the bottle on the bar, walked around and grabbed his wife by the hand and proceeded out the front door just for the extra laugh.

What's the most memorable pickup line you've heard?

I asked these three ladies what they wanted to drink, and without missing a beat, one of them looked at me and said, “ May I have you in a glass.”

Can you tell us an interesting story?

The most recent is about our new restaurant Mcloones in National Harbor. We have a digital countdown clock, and every night I get up on the bar and get everyone’s attention and let them know as soon as it gets to 10 seconds, we count down to one, ring the bell, flick the lights, and yell “Happy Sunset”!  Remember, SUNSET.  Well, on our opening party we had the owner, Tim Mcloone himself, with his band and family, all of our friends from the harbor, the Petersons and the entire staff present to hear me get up, give my speech, count down and yell at the top of my lungs,  “Happy SUNRISE!”  It’s been a joke ever since.

Who would you want to have a drink with and why?

I’ve been fortunate to have traveled all over the world and have met many great people in my life.  Being a former Marine, I would love to host the biggest welcome home party for my brother and all of our guys and gals that serve and be able to see all of them home safe with raised glasses.  That would be one hell of a cheer.  Rock on to those who serve, and know we’re all waiting for you to come home.