Q&A with Jona Rupnicki, owner/bartender of Ruffnecks Bar, 917 N. Kansas Ave.

How long have you been running Ruffnecks?
I believe it’s been… since the end of November, I think? It’s gone by pretty fast.
 
What kind of crowd hangs out here?
We see a lot of bikers that come through. We’ve been seeing more Goodyear workers who come at the end of their shifts. Some locals come through here.
 
What do you like most about working here?
Being my own business owner. Dealing with the customers is a little interesting day-to-day – you never know what you’re going to see or what’s going to happen.
 
That unpredictability usually makes for some great stories. Do you have one to share?
(Laughs.) Hmm… Something that I can tell you without embarrassing anybody… I think one of the greatest things I’ve seen so far is – we have such a big area in the back that, we encourage everybody – especially our friends that ride – that they don’t ride when they’ve had too much to drink. So we’ve actually had quite a few bikes parked in this bar at the end of the night. At most – one night, there were about ten back there, in the bar. We don’t want anybody riding like that on their way home, so we encourage that they don’t get on the roads. To me, that’s probably a good story.
 
Do you ride?
Yeah, I do.
 
There has been a lot of talk lately about revitalizing North Topeka. As a NOTO business owner, what do you hope to see happen in this area?
Our overall goal – mine and my husband’s – is to be a positive impact on the North Topeka area. We have cleaned this (Ruffnecks) up a lot – there’s a lot of work we’ve done. We want to be a bar that’s recognized as making positive change in North Topeka, because North Topeka’s gotten kind of a bad reputation. I hope that the name doesn’t scare anybody away, because you know, automatically when anybody sees or hears Ruffnecks, they think it’s a rough and rowdy place. It’s not that way. It’s actually kind of an inside joke that most people don’t know. My husband’s last name is Rupnicki – he’s half Polish. He’s kind of a big guy, and he’s a really good guy, but they think he’s a little rowdy sometimes, but he’s a big teddy bear. He’s been called Ruffneck so many times because they mess his name up. That’s where Ruffnecks came from.
 
We usually ask what you’d be doing if you weren’t working behind the bar, but you own this bar, so perhaps you’re where you want to be?
I’ve always wanted to be my own business owner, and I’ve done that. I went to school for business – that’s what my major is. I’m actually in the midst of trying to get back into the work force. I worked for the tribe for several years, and that’s my overall goal – to start my own business, to get back to the Prairie Band Potawatomie Nation, because I am half Prairie Band and half Caucasian. That’s primarily where my heart is. My goal is to take back to the native people what was given to me through education, because they paid for my education. That’s my overall goal.
 
 

Q&A with Mike Ford, bartender at Spanky's, 3100 S.W. Gage Blvd.:

How long have you worked here at Spanky's?

Just over three years now. Before working here, I worked at Shawnee Country Club and when they got rid of their bartender, they probably thought that I wouldn't be any worse at bartending than I was at waiting tables, so they gave me a shot.

Nothing like overachieving ... what kind of crowd hangs out here?

There are a lot of regulars at this bar. You see the same people here day after day. We've always kinda said that it is two different bars. During the day you've got the regulars and there are a lot of construction workers because we are close to the highway. They like to come in here, kick the mud off their shoes and have some cold ones and eat some food. When it gets later and the afternoon crowd fizzles out, the place gets younger.

What do you like most about working here?

I like the interaction with the people. This is basically my "Cheers" where everybody knows your name. I get to know the people who come in here, and that's cool. If someone comes in by themselves, I can gauge pretty quickly if they want to be involved in conversation or not.

Spanky's is one of those bars that is also known for good food. Do you have a favorite?

After three years here, I've had everything several times. If I had to pick one thing, I would probably pick The Grand Slam. It's a big ol' burger with bacon and ham.

If you weren't working behind the bar what would your dream job be?

I'm going to be going to Washburn next semester and if I knew what my dream job was, I probably would be able to pick out a major by now. I play a lot of poker and if I could make a good living at it, I'd probably do that.

When you aren't working, where do you hang out?

When I go out, I'll go just about anywhere if the circumstances are right, but you're probably not going to see me at a packed club on a Friday or Saturday night with all the 21-year olds with their collars popped and their jeans ironed. That's not my style. I like to keep it low key and hang out at a bar where I can get a drink without waiting forever. I like Spec's, Oscar's, Sidelines — low-key places like that.

So when you're at these low-key bars, what do you drink?

I'm a beer and shots type of guy. I like mixed drinks, but I like them a little too much, and before I know it, I should have stopped three drinks ago. I don't do tequilla shots, but I'll drink just about anything else. I like bombs whether it's a Jager Bomb, a Tuaca Bomb, a Car Bomb, a Saki Bomb ... if it has the word "bomb" in it, I'll probably like it.

Do you ever have customers at Spanky's who order just insanely crazy drinks?

I think some people get a little confused with where they are. I don't suggest you come in here and try to order what you had on your honeymoon at Sandals Resort, and don't try to order a drink when you have no idea what's in it. Just move on and have a rum and Coke.

OK, what is the absolute worst way to get a bartender's attention?

Yelling, whistling, "Hey bro bro! Hey bro bro!" Anything obnoxious is not going to work.

You seem like someone who might be helpful with this ... do you have a fail-proof cure for a hangover?

I hear that Puerto Ricans like to rub lemons on their arm pits - I read that somewhere - I've never done it, but tell the SPLASH! readers to try it!

Finally, do the girls really get prettier at closing time?

Well at closing time, we flip on the lights, which doesn't do a lot of them justice. There is a reason that bars are dark and loud. But, if I'm in here and had a few too many ... well ... I guess so.

Q&A with Misty Gatewood, bartender at the Rooster Tail, 830 N. Kansas Ave.:

How long have you worked at the Rooster Tail?
Since they opened. I think it's been about nine months now. Before this, I worked at Bullfrog's — the original one — for about a year and a half. I also worked at Heart Attack Jacks for about three years. For awhile, I worked at both of those places at the same time because I have a shopping problem!

What's the best part of working here?
I really love meeting all of the different people who come in. In every bar I've worked, there is always a group of regulars who come in at the same times every day. You get to know everyone and you make friends with them. You can make a lot of connections, like if something ever happens to my car, I know at least five people who will work on it.

How would you describe the crowd at the Rooster Tail?
It is so different and so diverse. For example, we have a group of Mexican-Americans who come in and are friends with the Guerreros (the owners of the Rooster Tail). Then we have the younger crowd on the weekends. Earlier in the week we'll have an older crowd. There are also people who work downtown here (North Topeka) who come in after they get off and have a few drinks. I practically know everyone who comes in here during the day.

Is there a drink order that really makes you cringe
Honestly ... Bloody Marys. There is just so much stuff that goes into one. On the weekends when we are really busy, someone will order one and you have to stop and put like 10 different things into one drink. Pretty soon you've got a line of people waiting and you look like the slowest bartender ever.

Do you make a drink that is your specialty?
I make one called a "Japanese Princess." They actually have the drink at Kiku (Japanese Steak House, 5331 SW 22nd Place) but it is basically for kids. It's two juices — orange and pineapple — 7Up and grenadine. I took that and added some 151 (Bacardi rum), some Malibu (rum) and a little bit of dark rum. It is really fruity ... kind of Hawaiian-Punchy. You can't really taste the rum, so that's the sneaky part.

I know you spend a lot of time here, but where do you party when you go out?
Home! I go out every once in awhile, but honestly, if I take a Friday night off, I usually just stay at home. When I did go out more, I used to hang out at Bullfrog's Live and Skinny's down in the bar triangle.

When you do go out, what do you like to drink?
Vodka and cranberry with lime juice. I used to drink Corona with grenadine, and believe it or not, they're really good. I stumbled onto it when I was in Mexico and needed something to make the Mexican beer a little better, so I tried it and was hooked.

What's the best thing about working here?
The people I work with are great. I love all of the girls I bartend with. Nick (Guerrero, the bar's owner) is a really, really great boss and does some really nice things for us. He pampers us.

Speaking of the people you work with, the bartenders here all seem to be really hot.
(Laughs) Hmmm ... I've actually heard that a lot from people who come in here.

What is the biggest tip anyone has left you?
This guy — he didn't look like he had money — bought two rounds of drinks for the whole bar and then tipped me $200. He actually did that every Friday for probably a month.

If you weren't working here, what would you like to be doing?
Probably a DJ on the radio. I'm a Gemini, so I like to always be doing something or have something going on. I can't stand to be bored.

What's the worst drink anyone has ordered from you?
One time a guy asked for a "bar mat shot." It's after we've been pouring drinks all night on this rubber mat. You just pick it up and pour it into a shot glass. That's probably the craziest thing that someone actually wanted and drank.

What advice do you have for new bartenders?
Watch out who you serve and how intoxicated they are. If someone comes in and they are already stumbling, you really need to be careful. I've had to tell a lot of people over the years that I can't serve them.

You're an attractive young woman, so you have no doubt heard some terrible pick-up lines. Got a favorite?
Oh, I've heard hundreds of bad ones! But honestly, these days guys don't go for the pick-up lines. The whole "you look like an angel that just fell out of heaven" stuff doesn't happen much. Nowadays you get more of the "hey girl, can I get your number?" They really just get right to the point!

Any memorable crazy things happen at a bar where you've worked?
I probably shouldn't tell this, but at one bar where I used to work, two guys got in a fight and one tried to grab a knife out of the other's hand. He ended up cutting his hand and the other guy got stabbed in the shoulder. Well, they ended up bleeding all over my car in the parking lot. The next day I get up to go to work and there is blood everywhere on my car! So I'm driving around and it looks like I've just killed someone. I went straight to a car wash!

What is your failproof cure for a hangover?
Tostino's Pizza and LOTS of water. And it has got to be the cheap $1.25 Tostino's Pizza because they are the bomb. Honestly, that is like the best hangover food ever!

Q&A with Chris Okruhlik, bartender at Bullfrog's Live, 4115 SW Huntoon:

How long have you worked at Bullfrog's Live?
Wow, almost eight years now.

How would you describe the crowd at Bullfrog's Live?
We have a pretty mixed group. We get the best of all worlds. Young ... old. They all party together and have a great time. On the weekends, we'll get more of a college crowd, but we still have some of the old timers that mix in and like to party. That's what we're all about here man — good times.

This bar has a lot going on — comedy on one side, live music on the patio, a sports bar, a dance party late at night — what's it like to work here?
It's awesome. As a bartender, your night is always changing. You're rotating through the bar and never stuck in one spot. You're never bored.

There seem to be a lot of attractive women working here. Ever dated any of them?
Oh yeah, I used to be notoriously known for that. But honestly, I've backed off of dating co-workers. It's A LOT of drama.

Is it rough working around a bunch of hot women?
It makes it pretty distracting at times, but when it gets busy I'm like "Sorry ladies, but I gotta work, so I'll talk to you later." It certainly has its ups and downs. Sometimes you'll have a really drunk chick that will keep yelling your name from across the bar ... over and over AND OVER.

What's the best part of working here?
Honestly ... the people I work with are great. We all work well together as a team and we're basically a family. We all help each other out and are there for each other. It's a cool bunch of people.

What are people drinking these days?
The UV (vodka) drinks have really skyrocketed. They're flavored vodka that we can make a thousand ways. If you like grape Kool-Aid, we can make it back here. We have UV vodka that we can make taste just like Hawaiian Punch. If somebody likes tea, we can make a UV drink like that. Say they want it from the south. We can make a sweet tea vodka.

What do you like to drink?
I do a lot of shots. My trademark is that I'll drink one beer, then I go to water and then I just drink water and shots and bullshit with people. I like doing Jager Bombs and Tuaca Bombs. They give you a buzz that evens you out with the crowd and it gives you that sugar rush to help get you through the busy times. Back in my younger days, I'd do that all the time. Now I can't recover like I used to.

Anyone ever order a drink that made you cringe?
The worst I ever had was a Crown (Royal whisky) and milk. I looked at the guy who ordered it and said, "Seriously ... you're gonna drink that crap?" He's like, "You have no idea how good it is." I about got sick looking at it.

What's the worst way to get a bartender's attention?
Things you don't do to signal down a bartender: One, don't whistle. Two, don't slap your hands on the bar. And three, don't wave money in the bartender’s face. I went up to a guy who was whistling at me and said, "Do you see a collar around my neck? You're whistling at me like I'm a fucking dog, so just stop it." That took care of it. If you want great service, sit there and tip every time you come up to the bar, I swear the bartender will be on you like white on rice.

Any crazy customer stories?
There was a customer who tried to do a handstand on the upper balcony and he fell over the railing and down onto a table. You can still see the guy's knuckle print where he landed on the table.

What's one of the worst pick-up lines you've heard?
A girl came up to me one night and said, "I miss my teddy bear, will you sleep with me?" And she was a big girl. I was like, "Ummmm, I guess I could be your teddy bear." Then I just walked off. I was drunk ... that's my excuse!

If you weren't working here, what would you be doing?
Right now I'm in college trying to figure it out ... trying to find my soul pretty much. I'm getting ready to finish up with a biology degree, but I don't know, man. I've always liked working with animals and being outdoors, so being a wildlife biologist would be cool. If I'm not working here, I'm almost always ouside in the fresh air.

What else do you do for fun?
I actually did some nude modeling at Washburn. They did this thing where I was stripped down naked and they rolled me all up in paint and I rolled around on these palates making impressions. You won't see my dick hanging out or anything, but it was cool.