The University of Keagan’s

When I was 16 years old, I bought an album called “Irish Drinking Songs” and played it on repeat until I had every lyric memorized. Tommy Makem, the Clancy Brothers, and The Dubliners created an idealized, fantasy version of the Irish pub and Irish culture with songs about love, loss, war, friendship, but most of all drinking!

I remember driving by Keagan’s on the way to my job at another, now forgotten, bar around the corner. Underage, I would peak through the windows and imagine my favorite songs being acted out inside.

When my good friend put in a word for me and I got the barback position at Keagan’s, I was ecstatic. My enthusiasm quickly turned to trepidation after leaving at 4 a.m. my first night of training; I never realized the scope of the job at hand. These guys worked so hard and did so much, never complaining, never stopping.

My stint as a barback taught me more than my six years in college. I learned there is no task too big or too small, no matter what my position may be.

Bartending has now led to an Assistant Manager position and I consider my co-workers and many of the folks I’ve met to be more than colleagues and customers—they are my family.

Slainte!