SXSW 2013: ‘Hey Bartender’ Review

Release Date: March 8, 2013 (SXSW)
Director: Douglas Tirola
MPAA Rating: NR
Film Pulse Score: 7.5/10

“Bartenders are rock stars who couldn’t be bothered to learn instruments.”  In Douglas Tirola’s new documentary Hey Bartender, he explores the history of the bartending profession and takes a look at the artistry and skill involved with being a successful cocktail bartender. Through old footage and interviews with some of the best bartenders in the world, Tirola sets out to show the audience that there’s much more to the job than simply mixing drinks.

The film contains three main elements that we periodically jump back and forth through.  The way this is structured feels right and gives the doc a good flow of information without bombarding you with any one plot point. 

First, we learn the history of the bartender.  From it’s early inception to the advent of the cocktail lounge.  All this information was incredibly interesting, especially for someone who is a fan of the cocktail such as myself.  The film describes the cocktail as being representative of our country, a melting pot of nationalities and flavors.  Of course there is also discussion on prohibition as well, however the filmmakers don’t speak a lot on it, probably due to the many other documentaries that tackle that time period.

Next, there’s the two main characters of the film.  We follow two bartenders at very different points in their career. Steve Schneider is an apprentice at Employees Only, one of New York’s hottest cocktail bars. His journey started with having to leave the marine corps due to an injury that nearly killed him which lead to him finding his passion in bartending. Second, we follow Steve ‘Carpi’ Carpentieri the owner and principal bartender at Dunville’s, a small establishment in Connecticut. Steve is falling on hard times and is struggling to keep his bar afloat during these rough economic times.

The third area of interest in this film is that of the growth of craft cocktails and the rise of the profession itself.  Through many interviews with some of the most notable “mixologists” in the industry, the documentary dispels any thoughts that being a bartender is not a job one should be proud of.

The most endearing aspect of the film is the story of the two main subjects.  Both Steves are likable and passionate people, and I found  myself really rooting for them to succeed and reach their goals throughout the movie. Their story is the clear focus of the doc as well, with most of the runtime centered on them. The filmmakers really lucked out in finding two people that, though they’re both in very different stages of their lives, still share the same drive and love for what they do.  Take them out of the movie and all you’re left with is a semi-interesting talking head doc about the rise of craft cocktails.  Put them in, and it turns the movie into a character piece that looks at the people rather than the profession itself.

In essence, Hey Bartender looks at the people behind the bar as much if not more than the drinks they are pouring. It’s this human interation that makes up for a very important part of the job itself. I tip my hat to the filmmakers for not focusing on the theatrics and sticking to what makes someone a success at the bar- great drinks and great people.