FARGO
Drinks
Wade Hanson (left) and Jason Schmidt (right) have been bartending for nine years.
MIXOLOGIST After starting at the bottom of the service industry and working their way up over the past nine years, both Jason Schmidt and Wade Hanson have more than enough experience under their belts when it comes to mixing drinks at Bar Nine in West Fargo. By Erica Rapp | Photos by Sadie Lascelles
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chmidt got his start bartending by working his way up from a dishwasher at a local Chili’s restaurant. He spent the next few years bartending in the South before he moved back to the area and began working at Bar Nine. “Everyone seems to like Fireball these days, so that’s usually pretty popular here,” Schmidt said. “Aside from that, we recommend Tuaca to customers because that’s what a majority of us that work here like to drink.” Their most popular shot with Tuaca, an Italianbased citrus and vanilla liqueur, is called Toe Jam. Toe Jam was named after the first letters of each ingredient: Tuaca, orange juice and Jameson. Don’t let the unpleasant title fool you; this shot is tasty. Meanwhile, Hanson started in the bar industry a little bit differently. During a night of partying, he told the manager at Town Hall Bar in West Fargo that he was available if help was ever needed. He was hired shortly after. Hanson spent several years bartending at various local venues before landing at Bar Nine when the business opened four years ago. Out of the drinks Bar Nine offers, Hanson
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recommends a creation by manager Patrick Tweeter called the Steve Buscemi: a mixture of Stoli vodkas and equal parts lemonade, Sprite and Liquid Ice. “It’s popular because it’s delicious and it’s got energy drink in it,” Hanson said. “It’s not a lot, but enough to give people a kick.” And no, the blue concoction doesn’t have anything to do with the popular actor. Bar Nine offers a great selection of appetizers, food baskets and pizzas to go along with their daily drink specials. Whether it’s for karaoke, watching football games, listening to a live band or a night out with friends – time spent at Bar Nine is sure to be enjoyable.
BAR NINE
barninefargo.com 1405 Prairie Pkwy #301 West Fargo, ND @bar9wf
STEVE BUSCEMI • • • • •
1 oz. Stoli Razberi 1 oz. Stoli Blueberi Lemonade Sprite Liquid Ice
Pour over ice in a 20 oz. glass and top with an orange.
TOE JAM • Tuaca Vanilla Citrus Liqueur • Orange Juice • Jameson Whiskey Mix equal parts in shaker and serve in tumbler shot glasses.