BARTENDER OF THE MONTH: Aaron Latour

By Johnny Trlica

This month marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of a nation—the United States of America. On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. This historic document announced that the thirteen American colonies were severing their political connections to Great Britain.

A year earlier, the United States Army was officially created when the Continental Congress authorized the enlistment of expert riflemen to serve the United Colonies. This act united colonial militias into the Continental Army to fight in the American Revolutionary War.

Brave men and women have been serving and protecting the United States ever since. Men like Aaron J. Latour, who served in the US Army from 1989 to 1991. That was during the Desert Storm era, although he was never deployed to the Middle East.

He used his skills working on Pershing missiles, a family of solid-fueled, nuclear-capable theater ballistic missiles developed by the United States to serve as forward-based nuclear deterrents during the Cold War.

This month, as we celebrate our nation’s birth, raise a toast to the men and women who have helped us become the land of the free and the home of the brave. And you can buy that toast from our Bartender of the Month, Aaron J. Latour.

Name:

Aaron J. Latour

Where is your hometown?

Chicago, Illinois (Tinley Park).

Tell us about your experience bartending. How long have you been at it?

I started as a bartender in Las Vegas. They quickly realized I had never bartended and made me a “tooter boy.” [A “tooter boy” is the person who walks around a bar selling shots in test tubes.] I learned quickly and became a head bartender in less than three months. I have been bartending now for over 30 years!

Do you have a drink specialty?

It’s probably my white gummy bear but I love coming up with new recipes.

What is your philosophy on being a good bartender?

You have to love it. I try to keep it social, introduce people, and make it more homey.

Besides the money, what do you enjoy about being a bartender?

The socialization and meeting new people. Flirting is fun even with straight guys.

Do you get hit on a lot and what’s your usual response?

Yes! It all depends, I am single after all! I do get a little bashful at times and I am grateful. After all, it is a compliment.

What is your pet peeve about being a bartender?

Rude people that treat us like “the help.” The misconception that bartenders cannot be in relationships. Also, that bartenders sleep with everyone.

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever seen from behind the bar?

There is too much to tell. Probably not suitable for reading. A good story would be when a drag queen took off her heel and lodged it in the back of a guy’s head. That was the result of him calling her a man in a dress.

If you were not a bartender, what would you be doing?

I’ve tried a couple of other things, but I have gone back to it (bartending) time and time again. I have thought about real estate. I have dealt with some that seem to only do it for the money, not for helping a client find what they want and the right price.

Tell us something people do not know about you and will be surprised to learn.

I’m a veteran. I am very relationship oriented.

We just came out of Pride month, how about telling us your coming out story and what does Pride mean to you?

When I quit the first bar I worked at, (I was told I was too young to be a manager, although I did a lot of management’s duties.) I was not doing well financially. I came out to my mom. She found out it was a gay bar and already knew I was gay. She “let me do it in my own way and time.”

Pride means being able to live your life comfortably. I am gay. I have no problem telling people I am.

Single, married, or not telling?

I am single.

Are you on social media?

Find me at Aaron LeTour on Facebook and TikTok.

Where and when can we catch you for a drink?

I am at Play on Sundays from 2 PM to 9 PM, Wednesdays from 6-9 PM, and Tuesdays and Fridays from 4 PM to close.

Related Posts

About author

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Do not miss