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The Mark Wahlberg Experience


I have many stories of waiting on celebrities.  This one happened back in 2001.  I was bartending at the Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows.

I have served them all.  I have attended some of the best celebrity-studded parties not because I was invited to them, but because I was clocked in.  Some celebrities treat the wait staff horribly, while others seem to give you a chance.  This time it happened at Ozzy Osbourne’s birthday party.  It was his fiftieth, (I believe,) and was set in The Crystal Ballroom at The Beverly Hills Hotel. 

This ballroom is beyond big.  It has a huge staircase that winds down into a giant lobby area with a main oak-half-horseshoe bar.  The place was covered from corner to corner with glass-cross coffins all lined with candles.  I mean, if you are one of the biggest rockers in the world, that apparently is the decoration of choice.  And it worked! 

Everybody was at this party.  Rockstars, actors, wannabes, you name it.  Rob Zombie was hanging out at my bar for most of the night, drinking champagne of all things.  Rob Thomas, (again,) and Mark Wahlberg.  This was the year when the movie “Rockstar” came out.  Mark was still shooting the film because he was still wearing his long hair and torn jeans.  I had no idea that he was a “method” actor.  He was hanging out with his entourage, (before the show “Entourage,”) and my manager asked me to go over and ask him if he wanted anything to drink.  My bar was only two feet away from Mark, but what else was I doing?

I was wearing my banquet bartender uniform.  Black slacks, white button down shift, black bow tie, and white jacket.  I looked like a bartender.  I approach Mark and his friends and asked if I could get them anything to drink.  He didn’t even seem interested in a drink.  In fact, I didn’t even start the conversation with him.  He started the conversation.

“Hey man.  How’s it going? Mark asked.

“Hi.  Good.  Great party.  You can never have enough crosses,” I answered.

“I think you’re right,” Mark replied.  As if we had some kind of rapport between us.

I was about to get to the part about asking him if he wanted something to drink, when all-of-a-sudden this girl comes out of nowhere, gets in-between me and Mark, and very barks towards me, “He’s just here to take your drink order!”

“Yes, I am.  That’s why I’m wearing this uniform,” I said.  Why is it always the wannabe assistants who mess everything up.  Especially this.  Mark and I were meant to be friends, and now I was just another bartender to him.

“I’ll have a Merlot,” Mark said.  And I was sent on my way.  He didn't even ask me how my mom was doing.

Lesson learned:  Bartenders stay behind the bar for a reason.  For protection and to remain the most important person in the room.  Once outside of the bar, you lose your power.

Until next time... Server's don't pay their rent with compliments.

"Bitter.  Party of 1?  Your table is ready."

The Bitter Bistro

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Comments

Unknown said…
Thanks for the laugh this morning. True words to take with me today in NYC.
June 16, 2013 at 7:36 AM
www.DiatribesAndOvations.com said…
Ah, but you got to meet him! http://wp.me/p1se8R-2au Even with a bitchy assistant I'd like to meet him.
June 20, 2013 at 11:22 AM
www.DiatribesAndOvations.com said…
Ah, but at least you got to meet him! http://wp.me/p1se8R-2au Even if his assistant was a bitch!
June 20, 2013 at 11:23 AM
Bitter. Party of 1 said…
I'll have to admit, when I was talking to him, I seriously think he thought that I was just a guest at the party. He was a nice guy.
June 24, 2013 at 11:33 AM
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