This Mill Creek bartender thrives when the place is slammed

Jessie Meyers loves Harry Potter, crowded bars and champagne.

The 27-year-old Bothell woman has worked at Twisted Lime Pub in Mill Creek since 2015.

Here, she talks about life in the food service industry, which cocktail she’d make for J.K. Rowling, and why the “Full House” theme song would be a perfect soundtrack at Twisted Lime.

When did you know you wanted to be a bartender?

It’s hard for me to pinpoint an exact age, but I know I was very young. I recently was reading an old diary from elementary school, and I wrote an entry about how I wanted to be a bartender. So I think it’s safe to say I’ve always wanted to be one.

Where did you work before Twisted Lime?

I have worked in the food and beverage industry pretty exclusively since I was 15. I feel like I have worked every front-of-house position, working my way up to bartender. I’ve been a hostess, a server, did some catering jobs and became a bartender when I was 21.

What brought you to Twisted Lime?

Essentially a bad break up brought me to Twisted Lime. I was living in San Diego and decided I needed to move back to Washington. I texted one of my greatest friends, Sam Long, who was working at the bar at the time and has close ties to the owners, and she said I would have a job at the bar when I moved back. It was like a dream come true. I had wanted to work at the Twisted Lime for years, and I was very tired of the corporate-style restaurants.

What kind of bartender are you?

I’m definitely a high-volume bartender. I thrive in a packed bar. It might sound odd but when there are a million things going on I feel like I am hyper-focused. And when the rush is over there is such a feeling of accomplishment that I was able to make everyone happy.

What factors go into recommending a drink to someone?

I always ask what kind of alcohol they like first. That is the easiest way for me to narrow down my choices. If someone doesn’t like to drink whiskey, it wouldn’t make sense for me to make them a Manhattan. I’ll then ask questions of what kind of flavors they are looking for. Do they want something fruity? Tropical? Sweet? Bitter?

If you were a drink, what kind would it be?

I would be a glass of champagne. I’m simple and classic but also bubbly.

If you could serve a celebrity, who would it be?

I would want to serve J.K. Rowling. She is one of my favorite authors and she seems like a generous and genuinely good human. I would love to talk to her about Harry Potter.

What would you make her?

I could see her drinking whiskey cocktails. Maybe something like an old fashioned.

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

The first song that pops into my head is the “Full House” theme song. Our crew at Twisted Lime is such a goofy family. I can’t help but think of an ‘80s sitcom while we work.

What do you like to pour yourself at the end of a shift?

I like to drink Malibu coconut rum on the rocks. My coworkers like to tease me and it’s kind of a running joke around the bar. But there’s a family story behind it. My dad discovered Malibu rum on a Caribbean cruise and thought it was the funniest thing on the planet. So now I drink it and think of him. But I also like the taste.

What’s one thing you tell others about bartending?

I always recommend people get a job in the food service industry. It is a very humbling experience. Bartending can be very lucrative. But I think my favorite thing about this industry is the way you create a second family with your co-workers. I have lifelong friendships because of this industry.

— Evan Thompson, Herald writer