Face Time with Faegan's Manager Jamar Clarke
by Christina Levin
Faegan’s, the home of many successful Tuesday and Wednesday nights, has been a favorite place to get plastered since 1978. Jamar Clarke, the 26-year-old manager, reveals the best (and worst) ways to get a bartender’s attention, details about belligerent grandpas, and his thoughts on Donald Trump. Bottom line: next time you’re there, skip the Bud Light and order a Creamsicle.
What kind of hours do you work? Not that we’re trying to stalk you, or anything. Normally, I work Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, from 5:30 p.m. ‘til close. I work day bar as well, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It’s different because a lot of people that come in during the day are here to eat, and after 9 p.m., you know, it’s strictly pure drinking. But it’s a good time, after 9, when the music’s up and the lights are down.
Who’s the worst customer to deal with? The worst customer you can have is a disrespectful customer, more than anything. They’re just sitting there, and they’re nagging, and they’re making your job a lot harder than it really needs to be. Sometimes the best move is to just get rid of them.
Tell us about a time you were embarrassed for a customer. Oh, I have plenty of stories! Senior Sunday. It was embarrassing. As far as senior girls go, you know, when they go out, they dress sexy. When things fall out, they tend not to realize. So I gotta pull them aside and be like, “Listen, something is going on here…”
Okay, so what’s most embarrassing thing you’ve done while drunk? Wipe out. It was like, last year. I went to turn the corner, and my feet went out from under me, and I was like, “Oh!” Everyone stared at me and laughed. No one asked if I was okay.
What’s the best way to get a bartender’s attention? The best way not to do it is to wave your hands, and scream at the bartender, obviously. He sees you.
So does flirting get girls free drinks? No, actually, not at all. Of course, you know, I flirt. I’m a social guy, anyway. So I’m very open to whatever – I have fun. I don’t go for flirting to give free drinks.
What’s your favorite go-to drink? A Creamsicle. It’s whipped vodka, Smirnoff orange vodka, along with Ginger Ale and a splash of orange juice. That’s my favorite to make for others.
Sounds delicious. Do students regularly get kicked out for being too drunk? The majority of the time it’s on a game day. Most of the time, it’s the older people that get kicked out. You know, it’s not the kids, it’s like, your father or your grandfather. They’re just screaming, belligerent, and they’re trying to hit on all the 21- and 22-year-old girls that are walking around here.
What do you consider to be the best food at Faegan’s? The barbecue chicken salad is a big hit here. We have a lot of salads in this place.
What’s the best test to see if a bartender knows his shit? How about a reverse question: The best test to see if a drinker knows what he or she drinks? Some people will be like, “Give me a Sex on the Beach.” It’s a very common drink, but what’s in a Sex on the Beach? You ask them, and they’re like, “I don’t know.” But if you want to test out bartender knowledge, you would have to know the language. I don’t really think it’s on how to make the drinks, it’s more about the jargon.
Chancy Nancy or Jim Boeheim? Got to go with Jim. Got to support Jim.
If you could choose any celebrity to punch in the face? Donald Trump! I just think he’s full of shit. I think he’s out to hurt people more than help them. I’d also punch The Situation [from Jersey Shore] – they’re on the same level.
If you could be reincarnated into someone dead or alive, who would it be? Will Smith. He’s an athlete, he’s an actor, he’s a musician – he’s done it all.
What’s your biggest pet peeve? People who try too hard. I like people to be themselves. I like them to be real, to be down-to-earth, laid-back, you know?
Got recommendations for people you’d like to see interviewed for Face Time? Let us know at web@jerkmagazine.net, with subject line “Face Time.”