Thursday, Sep. 24, 2009
BARTENDER: Jim Pence, 50
WHERE: Marco Polo Pool Bar, The Caravelle Resort
Jim Pence at Marco Polo Pool Bar at The Caravelle Resort in Myrtle Beach. - photo by Mandy Kinseth, for Weekly Surge.
Question: It’s often said that your brother Steve, also a bartender in town, is a lethal weapon bad ass. Could you take him?
Answer: No. He has his own karate classes even.
What do you see more of, nudity or dancing on the bar?
Nudity for sure.
I understand you’ve run every Myrtle Beach Marathon that’s taken place … what’s your best time?
My first one – 4.5 hours. I lose about 10 minutes a year with age.
How many miles do you run a week?
Non-training I run 30 miles a week. In October I average between 60-70 a week.
Compare a marathon work day to running a marathon.
There’s no comparison. However, running marathons does help me bartend out in the heat for hours.
Does running marathons make you last longer in bed?
I can’t answer that.
How many Block & Tackle frozen drinks does it take before people start blocking and tackling?
Two.
How many does it take before you black out and drop?
Four.
The beach music really makes the atmosphere here; what’s your favorite beach song?
“Dancin’, Shaggin’ on the Boulevard” by Alabama.
Can you shag?
Yeah! Are you kiddin’!?
What’s the best part about working at a beach-front bar?
Tourists treat me better than they treat their local bartenders – must be because they’re on vacation.
How badly does rain hurt your business?
In three years I’ve never been completely rained out.
Your bar is outside – do you get flies?
No, because we have bags of water. They chase the flies away.
You’re in clear sight of the resort balconies … what’s the craziest thing you’ve seen happen on them?
Let’s just say you could go to jail for it.
Since you’re outside – is it no shirt, no shoes mean faster service?
Yes.
Does wearing a skimpy bikini get you served even quicker?
No.
You’ve been on the beach for dozens of years, what’s the best thing about Myrtle Beach?
In my book you’re spoiled because you can do anything you want to do in just 15 minutes.
Anything you would change?
I can’t think of anything.
How many years have you been bartending?
I’ve been beachfront since 1976 – so more than 30 years.
Jim’s Signature Drink:
Block & Tackle
(three kinds of rum, coconut and bananas … specifics are secret)Click here for previous Hot Pour Interviews