Since the departure of our dearest Fallon leaving us, we had to obviously promote a new bar manager, and whom else could we choose but her protege Jono Minihan. While it would be an understatement to say that he was a smidge shyer then Falf we thought we’d get catch up with him for a Q & A sesh and see what he’s got in store for 1two3!

1. Q: Jono are you scared or excited to take Fallons’ place as new bar manager of 1two3?

A: Both. Filling Fallons shoes is a enormous task, but I was honored to be chosen, and I’m looking forward to the responsibility. It’s a different sort of job, since we’re privately owned and operated you really care about the bottom line and learn the business side of operating a bar.

(Inside voice: I just hope they don’t make me dance on the bar and hit all those lovely notes that Fallon used to hit when she sang Summer of 69′)

2. Q: What’s the part about being a bartender you love the most?

A: The social aspect is great, your regulars become your friends, and soon it just turns into a great night out with people you know and like to hang around. 1two3 is unique in Broady its small enough to realize that after a year everyone is just like family.

3. Q: What are some of the duties of a bar manager?

A: Main duties include: cash-ups, training new staff, managers meetings, ordering stock, meeting with liquor reps, but the fun stuff is: going to bartending conferences, organizing competitions, sampling new products, and finding those hidden gems to promote at 1two3 that differentiates us from the other bigger bars in Broadbeach. Expect Cidars to be a huge hit this summer!

4. Q: How long have you been bartending for, and where have you bartended?

A: I’m only 21, so I’ve been bartending for a total of 3 yrs in 2 different places. I’m originally from England, so I worked/lived in a Belgium Beer House, we had over 200 beers and I had to take a 400 question test just to work there! But the hardest part about that job was tapping the old ale kegs! Just put it this way… you tap it too hard and it’ll explode all over your face, don’t tap it enough and the rubber just gets stuck lol.  The second was here at 1two3 in Australia.

5. Q: What’s something most people don’t know about you?

A: When I lived back in England my nickname was Mr. Pubbington whenever my mates couldn’t find me I’d always be at the pub, later Mr. Pubbington got shorted to Pubbaz, and sometimes I question if some of my mates even remember my name is Jonno? lol.

6. Q: If someone buys the bartender a shot, what shot should they get?

A: The unspoken rule of Broady is Tequila. You can’t refuse, and you can’t have training wheels!
(no lime or salt) but of course only after our shift, as it’s illegal in QLD to drink behind the bar.

7. Q: As a new bar manager, many establishments discourage their staff from drinking off shift at their place of employment, what are your thoughts on that?

A: I understand why, and I actually think it’s more beneficial to the establishment if the staff does come off shift. It just promotes a sense of community, and sets the example that if our staff is still coming here when they aren’t working then it must be a great place to be. Like I mentioned before, it’s like a family here.

(Inside voice: it’s far more entertaining when staff come to get on the piss, then it gives us fodder to take the piss outta them later. Never dull and that’s how we love it!)

8. Q: What day would be the best day to come down for a visit?

A: THURSDAYS! Benson kicks up the entertainment with his Jackson 5 beats, our bar menu is 1/2 price so you save yourself a bit of coin, and its a laid back cruisey night so service is faster and we have time to do the “extra” stuff like flaring and such.

9. Q: What “new things” can we expect to see in the near future?

A: Heaps more new liqueurs – we have some delish new chocolate, white chocolate and nugget liqueur now. We’ll also be having a new cocktail list in the new year designed by our new staff (Remi, Bonny, Big Greg, and Stacey P & Stacey-Lee as a sub) and a cocktail specialist from Brissy.

10: Q: What have you learnt/what advice would you give to any other young bartenders just starting out?

A: Try and be as light-hearted as possible, bartending can be a hard job, but try not to take ANYTHING personally. If you don’t bartending can be one of the greatest jobs you’ll have, and you can do it wherever you are in the world! Just make sure you move around and don’t get stuck at one place too long, or else you’ll never be able to grow in the industry.