Name: Jen Marks.
Age: 33.
Bar: Skylark Lounge, 40 S. Union St.
Where do you live? Susan B. Anthony neighborhood.
Did you go to college? I went to Continental School of Beauty Culture, and I got my cosmetology license.
How long have you been at your bar? Since Jan. 4. It has been open since Nov. 23, 2011.
How did you get into bartending? Dinosaur Bar-B-Que had a cool bar boss who came to my guest bartending gig at the old J.J. Flynn’s and asked me if I wanted the Saturday a.m. shift. I took it and bartended for about three years there, then was asked to help open the Harlem location as their bar manager. I moved back to Rochester in 2006-ish, went to hair school and sort of got out of the bar biz. Skylark owner Herman Gatto had me in mind to work at his cool, hip spot, and I was honored and thought it was the time to get back into things and be his fabulous Wednesday happy hour bartender.
Assuming you frequent your bar, where would you go for drinks if the place shut down? Marshall Street Bar & Grill, Abilene Bar & Lounge or Dinosaur Bar-B-Que — all in that lil’ Union Street/ downtown vein. All awesome spots.
What’s your least favorite drink to pour? Mojitos are the worst, but unless I’m making a pitcher, sitting at a pool party somewhere, I doubt I will ever have to make one again.
What drink do you pour the most? A shot and a beer, called a Brucie Skylark, and vodka tonic are the most frequently poured.
What’s the quickest way to get a bartender to hate me? Kneel or stand up on your seat and lean over the bar. I will scream at you like a kindergarten teacher if you do that. A real mean, embarrassing kindergarten teacher.
What’s the quickest way to get great service? Be polite and wait your turn. Be prepared with your order.
Can you share any hangover cures? Yep. A Coca-Cola. Get that down, then a cheeseburg, stat!
Do you have a full-time or other job? I am the beauty operator at Pink Flamingo Salon. It can be tiring working two jobs, but I really like the shift I have, and haircuts and cocktails go hand in hand. Works well for everyone — great cross marketing, too.
