From millennials to elders, he serves ‘em all at the Anchor

Published 1:30 am Friday, July 12, 2019

Cameron McCaffree, 26, is a bartender at Everett’s Anchor Pub on Hewitt Avenue. The bar has a storied history, going back to 1907. If he could choose to serve anyone living or dead, he said it would be gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” fame (and a man known for spending a lot of time in bars).

What drew you to The Anchor Pub?

I worked at a previous bar before — Trilogy. Just working at the Everett bar scene, they said “Your bar just closed down. Why don’t you work for us?” A few days later, I was hired on the spot. I think it’s been over 2½ years.

What drew you to bartending?

Honesty, I just sort of fell into it. I worked at the Bar Myx (also in Everett). They said, “Come work for me.” I tried it. I’m a pretty outgoing person, I like people, so I started bartending. I like the diversity of customers. Every day can be something new.

Did you grow up in the area?

Yes. I graduated from Sequoia High School and spent some time at Everett Community College.

What kind of bartender are you?

I can fill a lot of roles. We do kind of everything here at The Anchor. Yesterday, it was a drag-queen hosted brunch. Another week, we’ll have a lot of families coming into see the blues jam. We go from high volume to a younger crowd on open mic night and there’s not a whole lot I can’t do. Our customer base is not strictly one thing or the other. We have to do a lot of different things.

Does that make it in some ways more challenging and fun?

Yes, that’s why I’ve stayed here so long. You’re meeting different kinds of people every day. I can relate to people on Friday night the same age as me. My dad was born in 1950 (and introduced me) to classic rock. I’ve met a lot of people working in this specific bar because of the diversity of our customer base.

What’s the craziest thing that’s happened while you were bartending?

It depends on what level of crazy. People spending ridiculous amounts of money, fights breaking out. I’ve been personally attacked.

Why?

There was one night I was trying to help a coworker who was saying we couldn’t serve (a customer’s) wife any more (drinks). It turned into this big thing.

How old was the oldest person you’ve carded?

Oh gosh. I think probably in the 80s. I did it to make her feel good about herself. We’re pretty good about carding everyone. I’ve carded plenty of people over 50 just as a policy, so that the people at the bar know they’re for sure.

What’s your favorite drink to mix?

A double shot of Wild Turkey with an orange juice chaser. No one would ever want it, so I say it as a joke. I can make whatever you want. I like pouring shots.

What’s your drink of choice when you’re not working?

Just vodka, pretty much just take shots. If not, I’ll drink a good cider.

How many drinks can you mix?

Well, there’s plenty of different names for the same drink; 100, maybe more.

If you could serve a famous person living or dead, who would it be and what would you serve them?

Hunter S. Thompson. I’m pretty sure he would like Wild Turkey, too. Maybe I could serve him one and we could share one.

If you could choose a theme song for your shift, what would it be?

Let’s do Eddie Murphy’s song “Party all the Time.” The guy who hired me at The Anchor used to put that song on the jukebox all the time.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.

If you go

The Anchor Pub, 1001 Hewitt Ave., Everett, is open 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. The bar is all-ages until 11 p.m. daily. Call 425-374-2580 or go to www.anchorpub.com for more information.