My longer term readers know I am a fan of Gary Regan, one of America’s, and thus one of the world’s, preeminent bartenders. He, um, sends me to the Moon at times. Lots of folks claim American has no cuisine, but that is false. We have the Cocktail. If you want the best sauces, you go to France. If you want the best, most innovative drinks, you come to America’s shores. You can find great sauces and cocktails elsewhere of course, but I feel I’m on solid rather than jingoistic ground when I make that generalization.
Anyway, Gaz has just written a column for SFGate entitled, How to be a Superstar Bartender. The wisdom he imparts is wonderful and specific. You should read it, whichever side of the mahogany you frequent. I’ll leave his specific recommendations for you to read there, and steal only this introductory piece of wisdom:

Before we begin, know this: If you believe that you know what you’re doing, and if you can pull it off without apology, you’re 90 percent there.

All that said, Gaz’s is not the only school of thought out there. Whilst I would never publicly disagree with him, the owners of the Patriot Saloon in Tribeca apparently do…

Found on Eater, via Asylum. It’s a little early in the week for Rule 5 blogging, but I’m just giving you ample time to imagine the applicants for yourself. (Alternatively, you could head over to the Patriot Saloon and take a few pics of the successful applicants, then send the to me for publication here….)