Daniel Ohly, 23, and Ashley Chapman, 25, make a killer bartending duo. I sat at Blackbird and watched them sling drinks to the clientele, usually three people deep around the bar, and the action didn’t stop until bar close. Daniel and Ashley were playful at times, always smiling and constantly pouring. They also tag team at Comet Café because “we just can’t get enough of each other,” Ashley says.
Daniel has been bartending for about a year, getting his start at Blackbird, and Ashley has been bartending for roughly five years and at Blackbird since it opened last year. Daniel says he looks up to Ashley. She taught him everything he knows. How sweet.
I asked the two, “Why bartend? Why not get a full time job that offers stability and all that good stuff?” Freedom, of course, they answered. Daniel needs a flexible schedule for his schooling, and Ashley needs time to tour with her band, Red Knife Lottery, among other things.
The duo spent part of their early years outside of the Brew City, but they both enjoy calling Milwaukee home. Daniel grew up in Los Angeles, moved here to be with his grandma and ended up falling in love with the city. Ashley moved here from Missouri in 1999.
Intrigued, I asked the two a few more questions about the service industry. Here are some of their answers.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not serving others?
Daniel: I’m a huge comic book nerd. I’m getting a tattoo of Captain America soon, if that let’s you know the extent of my nerdiness.
What are your turn-ons and turn-offs related to bartending, of course?
Daniel: Likes: People who know what they want when they get to the bar, patience and girls who drink whiskey. Dislikes: Waving your money, playing bad music on the jukebox (i.e., Band of Horses) and not returning your glasses to the bar after you’re done drinking.
Any bizarre occurrences happen while on the job, whether violent, paranormal, etc.? Celebrities?
Ashley: Bret from “Flight of the Conchords” came into Comet, and all the girls started foaming at the mouth. Someone “accidentally” sprayed pepper spray, everyone started coughing hysterically, and we had to clear the place out! I wish I saw ghosts though.
Is there anyone you look up to in your line of work, or do you have a nemesis?
Daniel: I look up to Kenny Siebert (Blackbird); Jon Kraft and John Lawson (Comet); Sara Weiner (Honeypie); obviously Ashley Chapman. She taught me everything I know.
Which other bars in Milwaukee do you frequent?
Ashley: Cactus Club is a block from my house. That block feels really long some nights.
Have you been to a bar recently that made your skin crawl?
Ashley: While on tour we played in a hillbilly bar in West Virginia. There were a lot of toothless, drunk old men.
How do you pass the time when you are having a bad or slow night? Games? Songs? Daniel: I clean, play Meat Loaf or Andrew WK, text everyone I know.
What is your favorite drink to drink as of late? What is your favorite drink to pour?
Ashley: Any beer by Three Floyds. I like pouring someone’s “usual.” It makes me feel good.
Describe your perfect bar customer. Describe the perfect bartender.
Daniel: A good customer will know what they want, and barring that, will be open to suggestions. Friendly and such, too, is good. Bartenders who are attentive and make suggestions get massive tips from me.
What would your theme or concept bar look like?
Ashley: My theme bar would be holiday-themed. That way I could have both a Halloween area and a Christmas area, and it would be my version of heaven.
Cactus Club
2496 S. Wentworth Ave.
Wednesday, Dec. 2
9 p.m.
Listening Party Label Launch, and Decibully Video Screening
Stonefly Brewery
735 E. Center St.
Saturday, Dec. 5
9 p.m.
B*tches brews with performances by jaayd, tazurdee, miss jazzy and spqher.
Benno’s Genuine Bar & Grill
7413 W. Greenfield Ave.
Mondays
$1 off all taps, and three sliders for $3.
Rustico Pizzeria
223 N. Water St.
Mondays
I’m excited about this one. From 9 p.m.-close, take advantage of $1 slice night.
Blackbird
3007 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Tuesdays
Blackbird offers one of my new favorite happy hour specials: Free tacos from Hector’s, 4-8 p.m., or until supplies last. Also, $4 margaritas and $2 Pacifico and Corona.
Polish Falcon’s Nest 725
801 E. Clarke St.
Wednesdays
Open Bowl on the oldest lanes in town. And it only costs $3.25 a game plus $1 for shoes.
Decibel
1905 North Ave.
Thursdays
Hey ladies! Free drinks until midnight. Everyone else pays $3 for Stoli drinks. Not bad. No cover.
Hi Hat Lounge & Garage
1701 N. Arlington Pl.
Thursdays
Ladies Night: DJs Kid Cut Up and Steve Marxx. Two complimentary drinks for the ladies.
Kenadee’s Ultra Pub
718 N. Milwaukee St.
Fridays
Bitch Pleeze Fridays: Ladies drink free mixers every Friday from 10 p.m.-midnight. Kenny Perez provides the music. No cover. No dress code.
Apartment 720
720 N. Milwaukee St.
Saturdays
Doors open at 10 p.m. with music by Kenny Perez. $100 bottles of Belvedere vodka.
Brocach Irish Pub and Restaurant
1850 N. Water St.
Monday-Friday
From 3:30 to 6 p.m., try happy hour: half off all top-shelf Irish and scotch whiskies. 20 oz. pint of Guinness and shot of Powers for $6.25. $5 wines by the glass.
Café Lulu
2265 S. Howell Ave.
Monday-Friday
Join the Lulu crew and watch Cash Cab from 4-5 p.m. Enjoy $1 off all rail drinks, tap beer and wine.
Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge
1579 S. 9th St.
Tuesday-Friday
Old-Fashioned Cocktail Hour from 5-9 p.m. Half-price Depression-era cocktails, including the signature Old-Fashioned.
