Known as Gebby to his many friends and customers (most of whom fall into both categories), Andrew Gebhardt is a regular face behind the bar at Colonel Hart's, 7342 W. State St. in Wauwatosa.

He's been there for seven years, ever since he caught the bartending bug after picking up a spontaneous St. Patrick's Day shift at O'Brien's.

The bartender and former Milwaukee police officer recently set aside some time between rolling bar dice and riding his Harley to talk about his family, his job and his clientele - including the stripping TV personality.

OnMilwaukee.com: Where did "Gebby" come from?

Andrew Gebhardt: I got the nickname "Gebby" as a birth right from my father Daniel, who is also a Gebby. You know, Gebby, Gebhardt.

OMC: How long have you worked for Colonel Hart's?

AG: I have been at Colonel Hart's since 2005 and have been the weekend bartender/ manager/ key holder/ security guard/ puke cleaner since. I work almost every Friday-Sunday from 6 p.m. 'til I throw you out at close!

OMC: Do you bartend anywhere else?

AG: Hart's was my first real bartending job. I had hopped behind the bar at O'Brien's when it was busy on St. Patrick's Day years ago and found that I knew how to make drinks and could talk to just about anyone while doing it.

OMC: What do you like most about Colonel Hart's?

AG: Colonel Hart's is that bar that makes you feel at home the second you arrive. I have all of my regular customers that come faithfully every weekend ... almost like church. It is a place where you can afford to have more than one drink and most of the customers are service industry people who know how hard you are working for them. The clientele is an eclectic group of blue-collar workers, young professionals, doctors, lawyers and just about any walk of life that likes to forget what is going on and have a cocktail together. It is truly an amazing place.

OMC: What's your favorite bar (besides Colonel Hart's)?

AG: My favorite bar is the Satin Doll's Lounge on North 23rd and West Fond du Lac Avenue. I have known the owner/ operator, Minette Wilson, for years and find it to be my "home" when I need a drink and to talk about my day. O'Brien's, The Encore and Leff's are also spots you might find me at - I am a die-hard, lifelong Milwaukee Brewers fan!

OMC: What's your drink of choice?

AG: My most favorite drink is bourbon. I like it neat, rocks, with Coke - you name it. Although, I tend not to drink that at Hart's. As bartenders, it gets harder and harder to decide what you will like to drink at work because let's face it, you are drinking all the time. I tend to save the Beam, Makers or whatever bourbon for some off-work/ party time. If you're at Hart's, buy me a Miller (High Life) or a shot of Jager. I have been known to have a few of those!

OMC: Do you have any rules about drinking behind the bar?

AG: You better be pretty good at it, or the customers might try to walk out on a tab, cheat you in bar dice or do something stupid on your watch.

OMC: Is there a particular drink you hate making?

AG: There is no drink I hate making. Now, let me explain this: it is my job and I am not going to complain when you order something that takes a lot of time or requires muddling, but if I am packed with customers on a Friday or Saturday night and you order five Bloody Marys, you will receive a smartass comment like, " It's not Sunday morning, what else can I make for you?" A lot of times the customers smile and realize what is going on.

Another thing, while I am on it. If you walk up to the bar, know what you and your friends are going to drink. A bartender's biggest pet peeve happens when you order your drink and then turn your back to get everyone else's order. I normally walk away until you are ready. (Older bartenders can get away with this!)

OMC: Do you think there's truth to the "beer before liquor" saying?

AG: Now this is where I prove that I am truly a Milwaukee boy and have Jager for blood. I am guilty of this just as many of my fellow 'Sconnyites. If I am in drinking mode and I have been drinking cocktails all night long and need to sober up, I might ask for a Miller beer. My wife always laughs at me and says, "Why don't you have a glass of water?" My response: "There is plenty of water in Miller beer!"

I would agree that a beer drunk happens a lot slower because you need more of it and if you switch over to cocktails it will probably hit you harder and get you sick. It truly depends on who is pouring your drinks!

OMC: How do you cut people off?

AG: When you have had enough to drink, I simply tell you that you have had enough to drink and will close out your tab and call you a cab. As a former City of Milwaukee PoPo, I have seen the consequences of drunk driving and know the effects that it has on the victims and the people that have made a bad choice. If you are walking to the bar or have a ride, then prepare to have a good time and let the "sh*t show" begin.

OMC: Have you ever had to break up a fight, or clean up puke?

AG: While very rare at Hart's, I have had to do both more than I would like to admit. Let's face it - alcohol brings out both in many people. I am a very lovey/ touchie drinker (I have even been called "Eight Hands Andy") but for most it brings out the worst, and you haven't been in the service industry long enough if you haven't seen or cleaned up any.

OMC: What's the most memorable thing you've seen on the job?

AG: I could tell you a million stories behind the wood of what people do when they are drinking. Some of the funniest things I have seen have been from behind the bar, from the TV personality taking their clothes off to the sports icon humping a statue. I would never give names; I still believe that what happens while drinking ... well, you know the rest.

OMC: How do you spend your time when you're not bartending?

AG: When I am not at work, I am raising two wonderful children with an even better wife of 13 years, 20 together. Volunteering up at the kids' school, riding my Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Brewers baseball and spending as much time with my family and friends as I can.