Justin Tarantino has worked at Tonic Tavern, 2335 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., for two years. He started helping out as a bar back and within a short period of time became a full-on bartender. 

"I owe everything I know about bartending to PK (Paul Kennedy)," says Tarantino.

Kennedy is a veteran bartender who has worked at Tonic since 2009.

"Justin’s my protege," says Kennedy. "He kicks ass."

Recently, OnMilwaukee.com stopped in for a few pints and a chat with both Kennedy and Tarantino about life behind the wood at Tonic. Kennedy also threw out a few interview questions. With a shot or two of schtick, of course.

OnMilwaukee.com: I’m sure you get this all the time, but I gotta ask: are you any relation to Quentin Tarantino?

Justin Tarantino: Not that I know of.

Paul Kennedy: But his nickname is "Grindhouse." ("Grindhouse" is a horror film double feature that was co-written, produced and directed by Quentin Tarantino.)

JT: And PK’s nickname is "Road House," especially when he has to kick people out. ("Road House" is a film featuring the late Patrick Swayze as a bouncer.)

OMC: Were you born and raised in Milwaukee?

JT: I was. I lived in Bay View, then the Garden District. I went to Riverside and then lived on the East Side / Riverwest until I got the job at Tonic. Then I moved back to Bay View.

OMC: So what have you learned from PK?

JT: Mostly, to be alert. And how to make a lot of drinks.

OMC: What’s your favorite drink to make?

JT: Besides pouring shots, I like making whatever a person wants.

OMC: What do you like to drink?

JT: Jameson and ginger or Stoli and seltzer – depends on my mood. I used to like beer a lot. I don’t as much anymore – it just gets me bloated – but I still like IPAs.

OMC: What is one of your bartending pet peeves?

PK: Don’t say Jonas. (Paul Jonas is the owner of Tonic.)

JT: Ha. Honestly, though? Nothing. What bothers other people – like people not knowing what to order – doesn’t bother me. It just comes with the territory.

OMC: What do you like to do when you’re not working?

JT: I like to sit on your side of the bar at the Newport, the Stone, Tin Widow, Sabbatic or Foundation when I’m on the East Side.

OMC: How do you cut people off?

JT: I just give ‘em a water and tell them they’ve had enough. People typically accept it. Most of the people who come here are pretty professional with their booze.

OMC: What do you like about bartending?

JT: It keeps me social and it’s not boring. Even when it’s slow, it’s never boring.

OMC: Have you had boring jobs in the past?

JT: Definitely – telemarketing, mowing lawns, lifeguarding.

OMC: Lifeguarding? Are you a swimmer?

JT: I was in high school. I still swim, but mostly in the summer, at the beach.

OMC: Do you swim in Lake Michigan?

JT: Oh, yeah. I’ve swam in that lake my whole life, with the exception of a few years in high school when it smelled like dead fish.

OMC: What is one thing you’d like to change about Milwaukee?

JT: I’d like to see better public transportation. The bus is OK, but it’s not completely dependable. I usually just ride my bike.

OMC: All year ‘round?

JT: Yeah, pretty much. I started when I lived in Riverwest and rode to my job at the airport. That was a long ride, but I could still get there sometimes quicker than I would taking two busses.

OMC: So, you have any questions for Justin, PK?

PK: Have you ever waited on any celebrities?

JT: Besides you PK?

PK: Good job. We worked on that before the interview. How about this: Justin, what’s the craziest thing you’ve seen as a bartender?

JT: There was a guy passed out on the toilet. But he had pants on – he was just sitting there, taking a nap.

PK: We might have been out of seats at the bar.