Nastassja Bates is a natural behind the bar. Even though she began her barkeep career at popular LGBT bar Walker's Pint a mere four months ago, and modestly admits that she is still learning the ropes, her personality and high energy level make her a natural fit for the profession.

Walker’s Pint has been in business for more than 10 years and is the longest-running lesbian bar currently open in Milwaukee. However, gay or straight or somewhere undefined on the spectrum, drinkers will find The Pint to be a fun, comfortable Walker’s Point bar.

OnMilwaukee.com recently stopped in for a couple of drinks and to chat with the charming and easygoing Bates about her job, her girlfriend and her singing career that began in a bar when she was 14.

OnMilwaukee.com: Is this really your first job tending bar?

Natassja Bates: Yes. I really like it.

OMC: What do you like about it?

NB: I’m really sociable. It’s not a typical 9-5 job. The time usually goes by really fast. Also, I met my girlfriend here a couple of years ago when I was auditioning for Pride Idol. I was sitting right there (points to end of the bar) and I was drinking Bailey’s and Kahlua and I had just finished singing "Natural Woman."  I noticed she was looking at me, and she has glasses and big ears and was so cute. Both of our faces got red. Then, I went to order another drink, and the bartender told me that she already bought it for me. What absolutely caught my attention was that, most of the time, if someone buys you a drink they act like they own you and she didn’t. She didn’t even ask my name. She just congratulated me on my song pick and for winning. Anyway, long story short, we have been together now for three years and bought a house in Bay View.

OMC: What’s your favorite drink to mix?

NB: When I first started, I didn’t know how to make anything. So if you said you wanted a gin and tonic, I said, "Great. I’ll make you a Jack and Coke." You want a margarita? "Great, I’ll make you a Jack and Coke." Jack and Coke is my favorite drink. But anyway, over time, I got much better. Although I am still having a hard time with the beer tappers.

OMC: What do you do when you’re not tending bar?

NB: I am finishing up a dance major with a Spanish minor at UWM.

OMC: Do you speak Spanish?

NB: I don’t like to say I speak Spanish -- I’m not always sure my Spanish is that good -- but, yes, I do speak Spanish. I was in Spain.

OMC: So you’re a dancer and a singer. Been in any bands or are you in one now?

NB: I have sang in bars since I was 14. I’m from the Racine / Kenosha area. Singing in a bar was my first paying job. When I was 14, I was supposed to go to a sleepover, but the people weren’t home when we got there, and my mom had plans to go out with friends, so she said, "I guess we’re taking her with us." We went to karaoke and to an open mic. We went to a place called Captain Mike’s and I sang the Alicia Keys song, "Fallen," and they scooped me up. Since then, I have sang with two other bands: a jazz / blues cover band called The Real Deal and a salsa / Latin band called Isla Adventures.

OMC: Are you in favor of the smoking ban?

NB: Yes, I hate singing when people are smoking around me. And I love going home and not having my hair smell like smoke. And more people come out now. Those people who wouldn’t come out before because they didn’t like smoke. It works for everyone. People who smoke can just go outside.

OMC: Do you hear a lot of pick-up lines here?

NB: Mostly, I hear, "Are you gay or straight?" and "Does she treat you right?"

OMC: Do you get hit on a lot?

NB: Most people know I have a serious girlfriend. It’s funny, though, when unknowing straight guys come in here. It’s not until they see girls kiss that they get the picture. And even then, sometimes they don’t.

OMC: You’re 24. Do you think it’s easier to be gay for someone your age than, say, someone 10 or 20 or 30 years older than you?

NB: I do. It’s 2011. My girlfriend is a little older than I am, and she is more reserved. But me? I’m like, "OK. This is who I am."

OMC: When did you come out?

NB: My senior year of high school.

OMC: Have you ever had to clean up puke?

NB: That has only happened one time, and luckily the doorman was here and he offered so I didn’t have to.

OMC: What’s an annoying aspect of your job?

NB: Sometimes I feel like after midnight the monsters come out. Or like I am part of a soap opera. People can get really loud and obnoxious.

OMC: What’s next for you?

NB: I don’t know. We just bought a house, so we’re not going anywhere too soon. And I like working here. We’ll see. I’m not leaving this place until I learn to use the tappers.