Know Your Bartender: Chris Nadler, O'Connor's

Drop into 79-year old O'Connor's Bar during the day Monday - Friday, and you're bound to encounter Chris, who'll greet you with a handshake, a smile, and a story even if he's never met you before. I stopped by today to ask him a few questions.

HPS: How long have you been a bartender here?

Chris: About two and a half years. 

HPS: What's your favorite thing about O'Connor's?

Chris: The clientele. I have a really good base over here, a lot of sports guys. I think that's probably the most positive thing I've got here. 

HPS: What's the strangest drink order that you've ever received?

Chris: Probably half Guinness, half Smithwick's, and they wanted cherries in it. It killed me to make that. Killed me.

HPS: If you could serve a drink to anyone from history, who would it be?

Chris: I'd probably give Napoleon a cognac and discuss the Russian adventure that he went through.

HPS: What's the one cocktail you make that you pride yourself on the most?

Chris: I think a Bloody Mary is the litmus test for all bartenders. I like to make a good, strong Bloody Mary, nice and spicy. That's my signature drink. 

HPS: Which type of booze is poured from most frequently here?

Chris: Vodka. We do a lot of Jameson, but still vodka wins out. 

HPS: Least frequently? 

Chris: Probably the flavored vodkas. I'm still waiting for that trend to catch on down here.

HPS: If you could be any profession other than bartender, what would it be?

Chris: Well I spent about twenty years as a teacher, so if I wasn't tending bar right now I'd probably gravitate right back to the classroom. History and math, high school and junior high school.

O'Connor's Bar, 39 Fifth Avenue Brooklyn NY 11217. 718-783-9721.