Hillsdale's bartenders serve up stories, cocktails
Jancy Nightingale
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Focus
Sullivan said homecoming is usually a madhouse and he kindly gives visitors a heads up.
"I tell them 'get your hotel and make reservations here a year in advance,'" he said.
Of the 20 drinks offered on the menu, Sullivan said the most popular order is the Magnificent Mile, or the Mag. Mile.
"I tell people it's a Long Island on steroids," he said.
Many Hillsdale students have enjoyed the 25 oz. concoction of vodka, rum, tequila, triple sec, sweet and sour and coke garnished with fruit.
Sullivan said he will make almost anything, including his own secret drink, the Mongolian Mother.
"If I don't know it, I'll look it up, and if it ain't in my book, it's probably not a drink," he said.
Sullivan said even with all the alcohol, people tend to stay low key, but some crazy stunts have occurred, specifically with some 21st birthdays.
"One guy had to carry a bus tub out," Sullivan said.
Leading up to this, he said the drinker had 11 to 12 shots, one Mag. Mile, and some mixers.
"Put enough alcohol in someone and they'll do just about anything," he said.
Sullivan said this hasn't proved an issue for the Hillsdale crowd.
"One thing about Hillsdale College students is they police themselves," he said. "Before I have to even do anything, their friends have it under control."
Despite this, he said, students are still his most entertaining customers.
"Hillsdale College is probably the lightest group of people I've ever served in my life," he said. "They'll come in with their designated drivers and always be saying 'yes sir,' 'please' and 'thank you.'" It's not normal when it comes down to it."
Though Sullivan enjoys the work, he said his faith in God sometimes presents a balancing act between letting people enjoy their evening and allowing them to go beyond their limits.
Usually, he'll crack down on wild customers and warn them first.
"Look, we're here to have a good time and not get trashed," he said.
"I tell them 'get your hotel and make reservations here a year in advance,'" he said.
Of the 20 drinks offered on the menu, Sullivan said the most popular order is the Magnificent Mile, or the Mag. Mile.
"I tell people it's a Long Island on steroids," he said.
Many Hillsdale students have enjoyed the 25 oz. concoction of vodka, rum, tequila, triple sec, sweet and sour and coke garnished with fruit.
Sullivan said he will make almost anything, including his own secret drink, the Mongolian Mother.
"If I don't know it, I'll look it up, and if it ain't in my book, it's probably not a drink," he said.
Sullivan said even with all the alcohol, people tend to stay low key, but some crazy stunts have occurred, specifically with some 21st birthdays.
"One guy had to carry a bus tub out," Sullivan said.
Leading up to this, he said the drinker had 11 to 12 shots, one Mag. Mile, and some mixers.
"Put enough alcohol in someone and they'll do just about anything," he said.
Sullivan said this hasn't proved an issue for the Hillsdale crowd.
"One thing about Hillsdale College students is they police themselves," he said. "Before I have to even do anything, their friends have it under control."
Despite this, he said, students are still his most entertaining customers.
"Hillsdale College is probably the lightest group of people I've ever served in my life," he said. "They'll come in with their designated drivers and always be saying 'yes sir,' 'please' and 'thank you.'" It's not normal when it comes down to it."
Though Sullivan enjoys the work, he said his faith in God sometimes presents a balancing act between letting people enjoy their evening and allowing them to go beyond their limits.
Usually, he'll crack down on wild customers and warn them first.
"Look, we're here to have a good time and not get trashed," he said.
Be the first to comment on this story