by Debbi | Apr 1, 2007 | People
Mike is an old friend of Dave’s who also worked at The Sandbar. Through the years I’ve heard lots of stories about the antics of these guys, and I finally got to meet the famous Mike a few years ago. He was in town this past weekend for a wedding and was able to meet up with some old Sandbar friends.
When did you work at The Sandbar and for how long? 1994-95
How did you get the job? David Johanning was my roommate.
What are you doing now? I live in Chicago and I’m an account manager for Ricoh.
Last time you were at The Sandbar? Homecoming 2005
Favorite job (besides The Sandbar)? None compare. {awwww, thanks Mike!}
Favorite drink to drink? Back then- beer. Now- a good Scotch.
Favorite drink to make? A great Bloody Mary.
Any specialty drinks you call your own? No, I just stole from everyone else.
Most embarrassing moment at the bar? Dressing up like David’s girlfriend for Halloween {that one is definitely another story for this blog- it’s hilarious} and Kevin busting me out publicly for my crush on a fellow Sandbar employee. {note- he didn’t tell me who this mystery employee was….}
Favorite memory at the bar? Censored- the names and actions have been concealed to protect the "not so innocent." Second favorite memory- the Sandbar road trip to Colorado for the Buffett concert via North American TransPOtation, with the psycho bus driver, and planes, trains, and automobiles to get home. Whatever happened to that lawsuit?
Favorite song on the jukebox? Less than two weeks ago, I got a call from two past Sandbar employees. The message was "ooga chaka!" So I guess "Hooked on a Feeling."
Song you never want to hear again? It’s been long enough, I can take any of them again.
Favorite bar dancing song? Shake Your Tailfeathers.
How many dollars do you have on the wall? 6. I know that’s pretty weak, I feel shame.
Longest you’ve waited in line? Maybe 5 minutes- or right after the fire marshals left.
What was The Sandbar like when you worked there? Tuesday’s "Dollar Anything" was still new, and it seemed like everyone who worked there hung out even when they weren’t working or drinking at the bar. Hope that still goes on. If current employees are enjoying Sunrise Club or Sunday Dinner nights, I think that would be pretty cool.
Any hobbies? Golf, and recently…excessive drinking in March after the Jayhawks’ early exits from the tournament. I’m hoping to give that one up soon.
Random facts about you we’d be surprised to know?
- I make a great Bloody Mary but I don’t like to drink them.
- I have never drank a Sandbar Bahama Mama.
Mike’s comments brought back lots of memories for Dave and with that, lots of ideas for future posts. It’s always fun to hear stories about The Sandbar from "back in the day," and see what’s different or the same today.
by Debbi | Mar 26, 2007 | People
Fridays just wouldn’t be the same without Heather. The after-work shift on Friday has been Heather’s since she started working there, 7 or 8 years ago. Lots of folks around town know Heather since she grew up in Lawrence and her parents still live here. Here are some fun facts about Heather. And, today is Heather’s birthday!
How did you get the job at The Sandbar? My friend Joanna was a bartender there and working on her PhD at the time. She had a fellowship for the summer and I filled in for her at the bar for a few months. I took to it and the bar took to me and I’m still here all these years later. 
What other jobs do you have or have you had? I’ve parked cars at the Kansas Speedway; worked for the Chamber of Commerce; worked in the mental health industry, and worked at a movie theater back in high school {her first boss was Movie Dave!!!}. My day job and career are in human resources.
Favorite job besides The Sandbar? That’s tough, since The Sandbar is my favorite job- where else do you get paid to have fun and dance on the bar?
Favorite drink to drink? Vodka Press
Favorite drink to make? A classic martini, there is just something about all the ritual that goes into that I like.
Any specialty drinks? I had a time where I was naming my shot creations after shoes, but then somebody renamed my Black Boot the Black Boob. {I remember the Pink Sandal!} After that I tried Muppet names. I think my best specialty drink is the Sun King named after a horse I bet on in the Kentucky Derby a few years ago.
Favorite memory at the bar? I was working one Friday night and there was a big group of people standing and staring out the windows. I couldn’t tell if something was going on outside but we were busy so I figured I would look into it later. About 30 minutes later a young couple came into the bar. I carded both of them, and when the young woman handed me her ID, the crowd by the window started cheering. Turns out, it was her 21st birthday and her whole family was waiting for her to come in. Her mom went up to her, gave her a big hug, and said "Congratulations, honey, now you can use your real one." The Sandbar was the hardest place to get into with a fake ID and she had been dying to come in when she became legal. The whole thing was very sweet.
Favorite jukebox song? I have a whole CD of favorites, Cool Heather’s Music!
Song you never want to hear again? Muskrat Love by Captain and Tenille.
How many dollars do you have on the wall? Just one and it was my very first tip.
Favorite bar dancing song? Hands down it has got to be the Car Wash.
Favorite Sandbar float? I really loved the Grease car.
Longest you’ve ever waited in line? One hour.
Hobbies? I love reading and can talk your arm off about movies.
Favorite quotes? I have two. "Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission" by Eleanor Roosevelt and "Laughter is the sun that drives the winter from the human face" by Victor Hugo.
Favorite music? While it makes Phil quite insane, I do have a deep love for disco.
5 Random Things About Heather
- I’m deathly afraid of grasshoppers
- I believe the Sandbar ghost exists
- I’m older than I look
- I’ve read the majority of the "classics" in literature
- Every year I throw my own personal Oscar party and watch the whole shindig from red carpet pre-party all the way to post-party wrapup in my pj’s with delicious junk food, some of which I only eat on that big night.
Heather says "you can always tell a quality human being by how much they like The Sandbar."
by Debbi | Mar 23, 2007 | People
Kay was an employee at The Sandbar long before my time, but fortunately she pops into the bar enough that she’s still a familiar face.
When did you work at The Sandbar and for how long? Started in March 1993 for two years.
How did you get the job? I asked Peach with a Bahama Mama in hand "Hey Peach, when I turn 21 can I get a job here?" Needless to say, she screamed a bit that I wasn’t yet of age. I started the job the next week. {if any of you reading this are underage, please know that The Sandbar is very serious about not allowing anyone under 21 in the bar.}
What are you doing now? I’m the bar manager of a live theatre and I sell health insurance.
Last time you were at The Sandbar? Rarely now, but most recently in February for a post-bachelorette party.
Favorite job (besides The Sandbar)? Limo driver or theatre bar manager.
Favorite drink to drink? Wine. {I’m guessing that she didn’t develop this taste at The Sandbar…}
Favorite drink to make? Wine.
Any specialty drinks? Wine for Kay. {noticing a theme here?? get the girl some wine! it’s no wonder we don’t see her at The Sandbar much- we’re not exactly known for our wine selection}.
Favorite song on the jukebox? "Take It Back" by Jimmy Buffett
How many dollars do you have on the wall? I used to have three, and a post card of me posing on the beach, and at least two dozen other photos. I think there are two left. Old school doesn’t always last. But the yellow and red plastic Sandbar sign that we stole, ahem, acquired in the Keys is still there! {note to Kay…I’m pretty sure there are more than just two pictures of you on the wall…but they’ve been moved around quite a bit in previous years.}
Longest you’ve waited in line? I quit when I was asked to wait in line.
What was The Sandbar like when you worked there? Fun, easy, new, and fresh. Still stunk a little though.
by Debbi | Mar 11, 2007 | People
Remember Leeann? If you’re new to The Sandbar, you may not know her. But if you were a regular several years ago, there’s no way that you don’t know.
When did you work at The Sandbar and for how long? I really don’t recall…that’s when we were able to drink while bartending! {actually, you still can, as long as it’s within reason}
How did you get the job? Mike Berman made me do an upside down margarita… he liked my performance and got Peach to hire me that night.
When’s the last time you were at the bar? Sunday night, ouch!
Favorite job besides the Sandbar? Coco-Loco, bartending and waitressing.
Favorite drink to drink? Captain.
Favorite drink to make? Any that’s for myself…
Any specialty drinks you call your own? The Dirty Bosco…only the Coco-Loco people know that one.
Most embarrassing moment at the bar? That may have been this past Sunday night.
Favorite memory at the bar? The slumber party night! {hmmm….that may be a good story for another post….}
Favorite song on the jukebox? Last Mango in Paris
Song you never want to hear again? I can only pick one? I’ll think on that one.
Favorite bar dancing song? Hooked on a Feelin’
How many dollars do you have on the wall? Well, I had about 50 at one point…some are gone…mostly the "dicks" above the women’s bathroom seem to be missing.
Longest you’ve waited in line? 17 minutes.
I asked Leeann for five random facts about herself that we would be surprised to know….and this was her response: "I can’t even admit some of this stuff to myself…not going to tell ya here!"
So there you have it. That’s the latest with Leeann.
by Debbi | Mar 5, 2007 | People
Morgan is our favorite doorgirl. She’s mostly behind the bar now, and a super bartender too, but she is a rock star at the door. The night of the Get Downtown! rally, she singlehandedly held back the crowds trying to get inside and into the beer garden. This girl needs no help at the door.
Here are some fun facts about Morgan for you.
How long have you worked at The Sandbar? Since August 2006.
How did you get the job? I was a regular, and I was sitting at the bar one night (a little drunk, after closing time), and I asked Dave "how does one get a job here." He said "they need to ask," so then I said "hey Dave can I have a job here." I started a few weeks later.
What other jobs do you have? I work at the Kansas Union.
Where are you from? How did you end up in Lawrence? From Dallas, I’ve been here for four years, for good ol’ K.U.!
Favorite job besides the bar? Teaching swim lessons, I get paid to get a tan for the most part.
Favorite drink to drink? Crown and sprite!
Favorite drink to make? Colorado Bulldog, I don’t know why, it’s just something different I guess.
Any specialty drinks? None yet…those big Monday night drinkers stick to beer most of the time.
Most embarrassing moment at the bar? Hitting on Dave Ernst, now that we are friends we just laugh about it.
Favorite memory at the bar? There are way too many to pick from…
Favorite song on the jukebox? Wow, that’s tough. I love so many- but if I had to pick one, it would be Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham!, it was my first love on the jukebox.
Song you never want to hear again? Anything Disney. I didn’t sign up to be on a Disney cruise, nor do I want to be on one.
Favorite bar dancing song? Car Wash for sure!
How many dollars do you have on the wall? 1.5. I have one with just my name and I share another one with a friend. 
Favorite Sandbar float? This year’s for sure, it will be my first Sandbar float!
Longest you’ve waited in line? 45 minutes!
5 Random Facts About Morgan:
1. never been the mermaid for the hurricane. {what??!!?? how can that be??!!??}
2. hates cooking, but loves to bake.
3. addicted to chapstick and sunglasses.
4. hates wearing the color red.
5. is super quiet when she is nervous. {she knows this is surprising, because she’s been told once or twice that she’s loud. only once or twice?}
I’m pretty sure that Morgan can whip those NBA crybabies into shape in no time.
by Debbi | Mar 1, 2007 | People
All the things you never wanted to know about Danny….
How long have you worked at The Sandbar? It will be 2 years this May(assuming I don’t get fired)
How did you get this job? Mark Ernst was leaving for his fancy-pants job in KC, and I suggested to him that I have always wanted to work at the bar, and Dave also was aware of this. After I saved David’s life when he was crossing the street one night, he decided to repay me by giving me a job.
Other jobs you have had? K-mart cashier/stockboy, worked in the dorms as a deskie for a year, then an RA for two years, 3 years as a server at La Parrilla, also worked various jobs in concessions in Yosemite National Park for a
summer
Where are you from and how did you end up in Lawrence? Born in Fairfax, VA. Moved to Rolla, MO at age 8. Graduated in 1998 and went to school at KU(mainly to get the hell out of Missouri)
Favorite job besides The Sandbar? Being an RA was a mostly positive experience, but I got tired of it midway through my 2nd year
Favorite drink to drink? Jameson Press
Favorite drink to make? If I’m busy, anything easy. If I’m not busy, I like to make a good tropical concoction(usually just inventing the recipe on the fly)
Any specialty drinks? Oh, have you tried my WORLD FAMOUS "Blue Rhapsody" TM?
Most embarrassing moment at the bar? I got a red card from a representative of the BARS program. He was balding. (A red card means that you didn’t ask for ID from the customer)
Favorite memory at the bar?
Probably before I worked there……most likely some random Tuesday night with my friends, dancing to Sinatra tunes when there really wasn’t enough room for dancing.
Favorite song on the jukebox? "Jackie Wilson Said" by Van Morrison
Song on the jukebox you never want to hear again? For the love of god, please never ever play "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" again.
Favorite bar dancing song? Gotta go with "Carwash" on this one. I know, not very original….but those pelvic thrusts really make the dance.
How many dollars do you have on the wall? I haven’t put up a single dollar, but there are a handful that my name ended up on…maybe 4 or 5.
Favorite Sandbar float? The Loveboat was pretty kickass. Before I worked here, me and my friends were invited to be on the float, but we opted out, and instead left early for our spring break climbing trip.
Longest you’ve waited in line? At least an hour.
Hobbies? Rock climbing, mountain biking, running, saxophone, alcohol consumption, Guitar Hero on PS2, bowling.
5 random facts about you that we’d be surprised to know:
1. My senior year at Rolla High School, I entered the 1st annual Mr. RHS Pageant, a sort of mock male beauty pageant. I only entered as a joke because I thought the whole idea of it was completely ridiculous. I was Mr. German Club, as that was the group that "sponsored" me, and I ended up beating all the popular kids and jocks and won the whole thing.
2. I can walk on water.
3. I was a starting offensive lineman in 8th grade football. The following year, I was first string tackling dummy, because apparently all the other kids had discovered the weight room that summer. Who knew?
4. I can fake tapdance pretty well.
5. I am 6’3 and I absolutely, positively SUCK at basketball.
Most embarrassing moment at the bar? Dressing up like David’s girlfriend for Halloween {that one is definitely another story for this blog- it’s hilarious} and Kevin busting me out publicly for my crush on a fellow Sandbar employee. {note- he didn’t tell me who this mystery employee was….}
