Bringing amazing people in Nashville to focus for a one on one. People related to the industry that stand out and are true champions that represent all the positives, for both the guests they interact with, coworkers they work with, owners and managers they work for. They impart an amazing presence and make this world a better and fun place to live in.
This Spotlight is on a gentleman that worked with me at The Cumberland Bar located in the lobby of the JW Marriott Nashville Hotel. Before joining the crew at the JW Nashville, he had a brief stint at Merchants on Broadway. He possesses the deep bass voice of a radio weatherman and the looks of a radio weatherman, handsome for radio, not so much for television, just kidding, many older women find him very charming with an amazing intellect and subtle dry humor and vast array of useless knowledge that makes women swoon. Introducing Trevor Griffin, no relations to Marty Griffin of the previous Spotlight. Marty and Trevor share three things in common. 1. Their last name. 2. They’re both amazing bartenders. 3. They’re both artists as well. Trevor, the man-candy of Merchants, the cunning cocktail artist of Cumberland, will soon be saying his goodbyes to Nashville as he ventures to Tampa Bay, Florida to challenge the Tampa Bay Bar Culture and industry to rise to his level of mastery, where he humbly gained from yours truly, lol. Tampa Bay is lucky to have such a talent in their midst. Good luck to you Trevor as now you will be forced to be a Tom Brady supporter. Follow Trevor on Instagram: @artbytrev or go to his website: www.artbytrev.com
About Trevor Griffin
Name: Trevor Griffin.
Where are you from and how many years in Nashville: Born in Washington DC and have lived and worked in the DC and NoVA area for most of my bartending career. I moved to Nashville in July of 2018.
Where do you work at: Cumberland Bar at the JW Marriott Nashville.
How many years in the industry: 17 years in the industry and 11 of those as a bartender.
Any special or hidden talents we should know about: I’m Talented, yeah I said it! I’m an artist and a voice actor.
Name 3 bar tools you couldn’t live without: Proper Shaker tin set, long bar spoon, and a thick (preferably laser cut & etched) Yarai mixing glass.
What’s the craziest thing a drunk customer has ever done or what’s the craziest thing you’ve ever experienced while at work: I used to work at one of the more popular clubs in DC. One night, a drug fueled orgy broke out on the ground floor level which has huge windows visible to the streets. Not the first time witnessing either open drug use and/or sex acts in this club, but this one was by far the largest one observed while bartending there. Shit was bananas!
What advice would you give to a beginning bartender: Seek out great mentors (mentorship is everything in this industry, as it is with many undertakings in life) and practice enhanced situational awareness and self awareness. That will make your shifts as well as your life so much easier in so many respects. Random bonus suggestion, watch and/or listen to stand up comedy. Gives you a better feel for working an audience.
ALWAYS have volume and traffic, thus making lots of money.
What’s your bartending pet peeve: The longer you’re behind the stick, the greater the peeves. However, for the sake of this exercise, I will narrow it down and say, it really sucks when you’ve done last call and are shutting down the bar and it’s your own brethren that act like rookies, when the off the clock bartenders and industry professionals start begging for more drinks or generally impeding your close past a certain point after last call, it’s just that much more vexing.
Life lessons you have learned as a bartender: Be humble and kind. Even more than building crafty cocktails, I enjoy the role I play when strangers become fast friends. I know it sounds weird at first, but there’s a subtle art in aiding conversation amongst others and when that results in an evening of inspired conversation and laughter, you’ve really done your job.
If you were in a movie, who would play you and what would the movie be: This is probably the question I struggled with the most but I’ll say Ryan Reynolds in a Van Wilder type movie.
Favorite Cocktail: Currently it’s a Mezcal Last Word. Shit’s beautiful.
Favorite beer: I have a few. Country Boy’s Shotgun Wedding is solid when I want a perfectly balanced sweet, dark beer. Rhinegeist’s Hazy IPA series Cloud Harvest is always amazing. If I’m recommending a local Nashville brewery, Southern Grist is my favorite. I love to visit the brewery and grab a flight of always brilliant, experimental beers. Another local favorite, Tailgate brewing, has a flagship beer that is a peanut butter milk stout, and is sometimes available on nitro at their multiple locations. It’s worth a sip for sure. Bearded Iris is hands down the favored New England Hazy IPA in Nashville. Super juicy but balanced, it’s worth checking out their brewery for more creative craftings.
Favorite shot: personally I prefer whiskey. Occasionally Green Chartreuse. Shots I have to make in certain situations, screaming multiple orgasm shooters for elderly couples/groups. You’ll die laughing with the dialogue that ensues.
Favorite bar in the world to have a drink at: I felt pretty special ordering a Vieux Carre at The Carousel Bar in New Orleans, So Special.
Signature cocktail: Seeing that Pre-Covid I made hundreds a day, I’d say an Old Fashioned. Sub Demerara for simple syrup and run the orange peel along the rim of the glass and you’ve got a beautiful bev.
Your top 5 restaurants, bars, and/or coffee spots in Nashville (in no particular order):
Americano Lounge. Great for both an amazing espresso bev or crafty cocktail, plus fantastic ambience.
The Fox, for a well built adult bev.
Mitchell’s Deli, arguably the best sandwiches in town (I prefer their nationally renowned Asian Flank).
Skull’s Rainbow Room, for their live jazz/ Al Green covers, to their bone in pork chop.
The entire 12 South district. It lays claim to two of the best coffee shops in Nashville, Frothy Monkey and Portland Brew. One of Nashville’s best BBQ, Edley’s as well as tons of boutiques, beer taps, and dining destinations, all this in a very walkable neighborhood is pure Nashville Living.
Must see or visit while in Nashville: The Ryman. It’s the history of Nashville.
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