A People’s Person
It was truly a pleasure to meet ZacK, the newest bartender at Boots and Saddle as well as a model, real estate agent and someone who really enjoys people. I felt very comfortable speaking with ZacK almost immediately, and I came to realize there was a lot more to him than just bartending. I could tell that he enjoys and gives his all to every job he takes on and succeeds in. He was honest and extremely sincere.
Zack, you are a bartender at Boots and Saddle?
Yes, I bartend.
How long have you been a bartender?
I’ve been bartending for around a year—they tried to get me to bartend at the last restaurant I worked at in Jersey City, but they weren’t diligent with that. I really just stuck with serving. I’ve been bartending at Boots and Saddle for a month.
And you love it?
I do, to be honest. It’s really, really fun. It’s fast paced. They are very great people and very respectful and clean. I enjoy it.
How old are you?
I’m 23.
Are you pursuing any other career or do you intend to stick to bartending?
So right now I’m doing real estate; I just got my license in August. I focus on Jersey City and Hoboken. I sold two homes already, but I feel that I need a constant cash flow until I can dedicate myself to other pursuits. I decided to do bartending. My friend used to bartend at Boots and Saddle, and he moved to Florida, so he recommended that I cover his shift. I knew the basic drinks already, and mixed cocktails I learned pretty quick. He introduced me to Robert, and Robert liked me, so I got hired.
By the way, I’ve been doing real estate forever.
That’s awesome! It’s exciting! You meet people. It’s like an adventure, like a journey. It’s really cool. I plan on getting my license in New York.
So what’s your favorite cocktail that you make?
I would say a Tom Collins or a cosmo. Yesterday I made my own cocktail: It’s vanilla Stoli, pineapple juice and Curaçao, so it’s very smooth, and it’s a bluish color.
Name it after yourself.
So I should name it Zachary James?
Absolutely. So even though you haven’t been bartending long, what’s your favorite thing about it?
I guess customer service, having conversations with people and meeting people. That’s why I joined real estate. That’s why I was also a server.
So basically you’re a people person?
Yes, I enjoy meeting people. The best thing about it is knowing that you had some kind of influence, like to help people to enjoy their time.
That’s a very sweet answer. So here are some non-industry questions for you. You’re a new addition to a crayon box; what color are you?
Green mixed with purple.
If you were a porn star, what would your name be?
Zack the Sack.
Perfect! When are you at Boots?
I work Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. I’m only off Thursday and Saturday.
Is there anything else you’d want to tell us about yourself?
I model too. It’s actually my passion. It’s probably like #1 in my career goals. I started at age 13. I had a fashion designer that modeled in Europe train me when I was 13. He showed me how to walk and pose. He said that I came off very natural. I competed in this competition in Los Angeles in 2007, and I won Model of the Year. It’s called the International Presentation of Performers, and there were 1,000 models, actors and singers competing. I was very grateful for that. It was an overwhelming moment winning in front of thousands of people. Paul Nelson—I believe his name was—from Wilhelmina Models of Miami presented the award. It humbled me when he shook my hand. For me, that’s my passion. I do a lot of modeling in New York, but it’s very competitive. A lot of the models that I’ve met have blonde hair and blue eyes and are tall, handsome men. They tell me that I should move to Miami—that’s where I was born, in South Beach. I’m Latino, and they say I would do better down there. So those are my goals.
Well, I wish you well in all of your careers!
Boots & Saddle
100A 7th Ave S,
New York, NY 10014
bootsandsaddlenyc.com
