February is "Bar Month" at OnMilwaukee.com, and we'll serve up more than a six pack a week of bar articles all month long. Look for bartender profiles, drink recipes, revamped bar guides and more!
For the past three years, Autumn Whitlow spent at least three nights
a week behind the bar of The Jazz Estate, 2423 N. Murray Pl. Prior to
working at the Estate, she tended bar at the now-defunct goth bar, The
Sanctuary.
Whitlow, 34, grew up in Racine, and after living in New York and
Arizona, moved to Milwaukee and today lives in the Riverwest
neighborhood.
The late, late shift isn't always a piece of cake for Whitlow, the
mother of 7-year-old twins, Emma and Raul. However, the job is a good
fit for the friendly, sassy Whitlow who loves the laid-back
environment, interaction with different types of people and the festive
atmosphere that comes with tending bar.
OnMilwaukee.com: How long have you been a bartender?
Autumn Whitlow: On and off for about nine years.
OMC: What is your specialty/signature drink?
AW: "The Yummy Pink Drink." But I can't give away my recipe; it's a secret.
OMC: What is the most ridiculous thing you've seen a drunk person do?
AW: I've seen people fall over, taking down tables and chairs - even other people - with them.
OMC: Have you ever broken up a bar fight?
AW: No, not really, but I have had to intervene on a few arguments, though.
OMC: What are the best/worst pick-up lines you've heard?
AW: I can't really think of any good pick-up lines. I think just being
genuine is good enough. As for bad pick-up lines, I 've heard "I like
your outfit. It would look even better crumpled up on my floor." And
people have actually said to me, "You should have sex with me." And I'm
like, "I should? Really? What makes you so special?"
OMC: Best/worst parts of the job?
AW: I love where I work. I
like most of the people, the music's great, my coworkers kick ass and
it's a really chill atmosphere with very few a--holes.
The thing I hate the most is when people puke all over the place. It
really sucks cleaning up some drunk ass's vomit. Luckily, this is not a
frequent occurrence. I've also cleaned fecal matter off the wall of the
men's room. Not the women's room. In there, they just pee all over the
seat.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
