by Debbi | Jul 9, 2013 | Guest Blogs
This is a guest post from long-time Friday bartender Heather, who has a big life change to announce.
Friday evenings are that enchanting part of the week when many let go of the stress from the work week and smoothly slide into the weekend. For a lot of years I have been fortunate to share that time with many of you. While I often say it has been ten years, my spouse likes to remind me that I have been saying ten years for several years now. So, let’s just call it a good, long while.
I’ve learned a lot behind the bar. For example, it’s not a good idea to mix up the salt and sugar when making lemon drop shots. Yes, it is possible to fall off the bar while stone cold sober (not one of my finer moments). Some songs will bring people together and turn a group of strangers into friends no matter their age. Drinks with toys make adults as happy as kids with toys. Usually most everyone has a pretty interesting story to tell or advice to share and no matter how bad your day people seem happy to see the person handing them drinks.
During my time I’ve seen bar patrons experience hook-ups and break-ups, birthday celebrations, anniversaries, and many a bachelorette party. I’ve danced on the bar more times than I can count but am guessing at least a thousand times. Phil and I have had the same discussion about the merits of disco over a hundred times but bless his heart the man will tolerate ABBA on my behalf.
Some truly amazing individuals have come through our doors. A few have moved on – some to other places in the world and some to that great bar in the sky. (RIP my friends and may the spirits on the other side be as delicious as those we toast to you here.) I’ve been lucky to forge friendships with people who’ve become more important to me than I could have imagined all those years ago when I got my very first tip.
Just as that first dollar bill opened up a new phase I am preparing for another new beginning in my life. He doesn’t officially have a name yet but he should be born around the beginning of September. This isn’t a goodbye, at least not for me, not yet anyway. This is just a break and I hope to return from maternity leave with lots of amusing stories.
Until then, enjoy the tunes coming from the speakers, the beverage in front of you, and the company of those around you.
Join us this Friday, July 12, from 5-9 p.m. to celebrate Heather's "final Friday for awhile." RSVP on Facebook and invite your friends. And for the record, Heather's been behind the bar for thirteen years now.
by Debbi | Jun 11, 2013 | Graduation, Guest Blogs
Here's another Sandbar graduate who's sticking around for awhile.
Sandbar Graduate Profile: Kay Anne
Parody Twitter Handle: (She doesn't have a real one, so we made one) @KUKayanne
What's your favorite jukebox song? Cruise. It's my favorite! It never fails to put me or anyone else in the bar in a good mood
What's the longest you've ever waited in line at the Sandbar? 45 Minutes
What's your favorite tropical drink? I love the Bermuda triangle, but you can't beat a Shark Attack!
How many times have you danced on the bar? Only once, but I hope to make it many more this summer!
What's your favorite or funniest memory from the Sandbar? Just
celebrating at Sandbar after all the important occasions in my life:
birthdays, holidays, concerts sorority formals, and the end of finals!
Also, I'm quite fond of any time my friends and
I bring a pie or order pizza to the bar
What are your plans after graduation? After getting my Bachelor's this spring I plan on rocking my last two years of Pharmacy School!
Tell us something else about yourself. I'm just a girl who
can't pass up good drinks, good music, and good people. Also, I have
plenty of pictures to back up all these special occasions.
Good luck in pharmacy school! You'll need lots of drinks.
by Debbi | Jun 5, 2013 | Graduation, Guest Blogs
Lots of our regulars graduated this year! Meet Hillary, who may have graduated but she's not leaving us just yet.
Sandbar Profile: Hillary
Twitter Handle: @HildyBean
What's your favorite jukebox song? Wannabe by Spice Girls
What's the longest you've ever waited in line at the Sandbar? I always get there early enough so I don't have to wait!
What's your favorite tropical drink? Bahama Mama- I collect the ducks!
How many times have you danced on the bar? I don't dance on the bar- I dance on the window between the back room and the main bar.
What's your favorite or funniest memory from the Sandbar? My favorite memory is definitely the first time I went on my 21st!
What are your plans after graduation? I'm staying for one more year, getting a second degree, partying at the Sandbar and then finding a great school to teach at
Tell us something else about yourself. My Dad is the Mayor of Andover, KS 🙂
We look forward to partying with you another year!
by Debbi | Jun 3, 2013 | Graduation, Guest Blogs
Here's another member of the Sandbar Class of 2013, courtesy of Katie, who submitted profiles of all her friends.
Sandbar Graduate Profile: Alissa A.
Twitter Handle: @Assilamanderson
What's your favorite jukebox song? Wannabe by Spice Girls
What's the longest you've ever waited in line at the Sandbar? 20 Minutes
What's your favorite tropical drink? Afternoon Delight!!
How many times have you danced on the bar? None but that's probs a good thing
What's your favorite or funniest memory from the Sandbar? Camping
out in the back room on valentine's day with my sorority sisters,
boozing and eating Pizza Shuttle! (Don't worry, we shared)
What are your plans after graduation? After grad, I'm going to Texas for the summer and then going to grad school at Oklahoma!
Good luck in grad school, Alissa! Even though you're going to Oklahoma and not staying here. Be sure to let us know if you find a cool bar down there!
by Debbi | May 30, 2013 | Graduation, Guest Blogs
Graduation might be a distant memory for the class of 2013, but we're still happy to tell you about some of our customers. The very helpful Katie sent us not only her own answers to our questions, but answers for several of her friends, also.
Sandbar Graduate Profile: Katie Mo
Twitter Handle: @katiemo91
What's your favorite jukebox song? Anything Whitney Houston
What's the longest you've ever waited in line at the Sandbar? I waited an hour and a half for bar band once, spent 45 minutes of that time at the
front of the line, but it was worth it.
What's your favorite tropical drink? Shark Attack always
How many times have you danced on the bar? Five, I think. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has the hurricane dance memorized
What's your favorite or funniest memory from the Sandbar? I
ended my 21st birthday at Sandbar, and that was pretty great. However, I
also enjoyed seeing Big Wave Dave break out the Harlem Shake at the
last Bar Band of the season this year. Making the
two mile walk during the snowstorm this year to get to Sandbar also
goes on the list.
What are your plans after graduation? Living in Lawrence for one last summer of freedom and then off to Australia for a year as an Au Pair!
Tell us something else about yourself. Sandbar was one of the
only bars I couldn't go to until I was actually 21, but it was worth the
wait! Its part of my Perfect KU Trifecta: Sandbar, Sorority, and KU
Basketball. Formerly I could be seen holding
the "Bill Self for President" sign at basketball games. Starting in the fall, I'll be teaching the rock chalk chant to the Aussies 🙂
Thanks, Katie! Make sure you take a Sandbar shirt to Australia, and maybe you'll run into one of our other 2013 graduates, Dr. Emmie! What's with everybody going to Australia all of a sudden?!
by Debbi | May 18, 2013 | Graduation, Guest Blogs
For the past three days, we've been featuring friends and customers who are graduating this spring. Today's entry is from Nicole, who along with yesterday's guest blogger, Andrea, has been a fixture in the bar on Thursday nights.
What's your favorite jukebox song?
My favorite jukebox song is either "it wans't me" by Shaggy or "Wannabe" by Spice Girls.
What's the longest you've ever waited in line at the Sandbar?
The longest I've had to wait in line was probably 45 minutes.
What's your favorite tropical drink?
My favorite tropical drink is Dinomite!
How many times have you danced on the bar?
I've danced on the bar too many times to count!
What's your favorite or funniest memory from the Sandbar?
My favorite memory of The Sandbar is either typical Thursday or being there this semester for the snow days.
What are your plans after graduation?
My plans after graduation are to move to Overland Park for a customer service job at Philadelphia Insurance.
Tell us something else about yourself.
My roommate Andrea and I have only missed a few
Thursdays at the Sandbar for the past 3 semesters. 🙂
Nicole didn't send us any pictures, but you can check out her roommate's submission; she's probably in one of those photos. Thanks, Nicole, and congratulations!
