41 Comments - dave - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 10:02 am: *** Best Statehouse-area bartender** Adam, from the State House Inn. Firs, he pours a good drink. But second, and probably more importantly, he is also good company - nicest bartender in town, and also knowledgable about a billion things, from sports to politics to computers. - dave - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 10:05 am: (oh… and I don’t know a “best” server - sorry) - Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 10:21 am: KATHLEEN at the Globe–of course - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 10:23 am: Explain, please. - 1776 - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 10:26 am: Mike at DH Browns. Mike has been an institution for more than 20 years. Its kind of like Cheers - where everybody knows your name and their always glad you came. He greets you by name and has your drink already to go because he knows what you want. Secondly, DH Browns is a rare bar in that they frequently offer a free drink to long time patrons as a way of saying thank you. - John - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 10:38 am: Best waitress: Jess at Browns. She always has a smile and a compliment. She is very cordial and courteous. She has a happy infectious disposition that puts everyone around her in a good mood. First class service from a first class person. Best Bartender: Jess at Browns. For the same reasons as stated above; Jess pulls double duty which is even more impressive. - GOP4EVER - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 10:42 am: I have to agree with 1776, Mike is the best bartender in Springfield! He is always watchful for a near empty beer bottle to quickly replenish. Most importantly he knows when a private conversation is taking place, whether it be among multiple lobbyist, legislators, or legislative staff and if he overhears certain aspects that are meant to be confidential, he keeps it confidential! He’s a great and trusted bartender that deserves a Golden Horseshoe after nearly 20 years of service at the best bar in town, D H Browns! - Loop Lady - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 11:08 am: Kathleen at the Globe…no matter what kind of day you’ve had, she’s there with a smile, a drink, and an ear to lend to your troubles…she also looks out for female patrons who are getting unwanted attention from male imbibers…an aside: sight lines are much improved after renos, so you can see who is there, and who is talking to who… - TheHammer - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 11:32 am: Adam at the State House Inn is the best bartender in town. He’s always friendly, pours a good drink and never leaves you empty. He’ll banter with you if you want to talk and leave you alone if not. Perhaps most important for a bartender: he doesn’t judge and never repeats what he hears. - Fred Manrique - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 11:39 am: Bartender: Will at Norb Andy’s. When Norb’s reopened I think a lot of us looked at it the same way as if a friend had adopted a preemie kitten with a heart condition; adorable and well-intentioned but it is best not to get too attached since the odds are that we won’t be celebrating Christmas together. Well here we are. Much of the credit goes to owner/bartender Will, who has kept the place faithful to it’s original purpose: subterranean boozing. Best Waitress: Annie from Sunrise. If you’ve been there you know. - Three Sheets - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 11:45 am: Like John, I’m going with the newcomer - Jessica at Browns. New to the game, but she is friendly and welcoming and you never have to wait for a drink when she’s working. Easy on the eyes, too… I’d vote for her under the waitress category. Mike at Browns takes my vote for bartender. Best in the biz. The whole Browns crew does it right. Remembers your name, remembers your drink, and sometimes remembers your address for the cab driver’s reference. - Raising Kane - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 12:44 pm: I agree with the Hammer….Adam at the Statehouse is a really good bartender. He is attentive enough not to let your drink get empty but he doesnt hang around and try to listen to or get into your conversation. He has a really nice way about himself. - SoILvoter12 - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 1:39 pm: Mike at Browns. By far the best bartender in town always seems to have a new beer ready for you right as you finish one. - Dave V - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 1:41 pm: Jamie at Boone”s. She’s got a great personality and is always fun to hang around with after work. Great sense of humor too. - Dave V - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 1:43 pm: I also like that Jamie started a twitter campaign for herself. - Eddy - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 1:43 pm: Kathleen Hunter at the Globe. Besides her years of service, she’s friendly, knows your name, knows your favorite cocktail, is a great listener with great compassion and advise. Mostly she’s loyal and simply the best. Waitress is Rhonda Merritt at Sportsmans. Very hard worker. Works all day then again all night. Worlds greatest smile, great sense of humor and beautiful. - Quacktastic - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 2:12 pm: Mike is by far an institution at DH Brown’s, he’s salty, yet excellent behind the bar. If you are a regular and don’t deviate your drink selection, he has it ready before you are seated. Mike has dealt with more than his fair share of rude, angry or even a-hole patrons. There is no better judge of Cardinals baseball than Mike, he already has the game on, he even tolerates Cubs and White Sox fans. After watching Mike toss a few unruly patrons, you learn that he could toss you to. Bartender, server and bouncer all in one, I challenge you to find a combo like that at any watering hole near the Capitol. The Brown family is lucky to have such a dedicated public servant to the drinking arts. Here’s to you Mike, saltiness aside, a courtesy nod for even the worst of jokes, just ask Vandermyde… - Dominique - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 2:28 pm: Adam at the State House Inn for bartender. He always remembers what you drink and doesn’t hesitate to come around the bar and make sure you don’t go empty at your table. - observation - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 2:46 pm: Will at Norb’s. Back in the day, Norb’s was a regular hangout for my group. It then went through various changes in ownership and never seemed to recover. Will brought back some of the history and nostalgia and yet made the place his own. He’s a great bartender who gets to know his customers (if they want) or leaves them alone (if they want). It’s a great bar again. - Say again - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 2:55 pm: Kathleen at the Globe, no question. As said before, she is always at the ready with your drink, a big smile and hello. And the pretzels she makes are downright addicting! - Donnie Veal Limone - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 3:26 pm: Bartender - Will @ Norb’s. Always remembers my need for a PBR in a goblet and even added the prime sandwich to the menu at my insistence. Server- Annie @ Sunrise, I thought I would post here for her because she is so awesome and will stay open late for me so i can get a decent meal after a long session night. Also nice is that Annie is so far removed from the political climate that she will never ever see this until Rich gives her a 24k horseshoe and then she will only be confused. I now realize I am seconding Manrique but its hard to argue with such an impressive mustache. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 4:21 pm: Bartender Mike at Brown’s. Great service Hard working, honest and makes a great drink while always on top of any situation. Waitress, Jessica at Browns, new but excellent. - Republocrat - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 4:28 pm: Mike at Browns is the clear “Best Bartender” Golden Horseshoe winner. He has stood the test of time always providing what I consider the best service in town. He knows what you want and has it ready for you when you want it. Let’s not forget all the nights that he has put up with US even though we knew we should have gone home hours before. Yeah, just think of the bad decisions that we all have made at Browns… then thank Mike for helping us make them. Jamie at Boones for “Best Server” – Cute, bubbly and Jamie on the spot with your order. - No one in particular... - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 4:36 pm: Bartender - Jamie at Boone’s. Pours a good drink with all the accoutrements (lemons, limes, fancy swords) & knows what the regular’s drink (even if they change things up every now & then) Waitress - Annie at Hamburger Dan’s/Sunrise Cafe. Always smiling & also knows what the regulars like. - Bear Fight - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 5:49 pm: Mike at Brown’s is one of the best bartenders in Springfield. Mike had learned my name and beverage of choice by my second visit at Brown’s (although I don’t know if that is a testament to his bartending prowess or the frequency of my drink orders). Either way, when I walk up to the bar at the beginning of any given evening he is in the process of making my drink or asking if that’s what I’m having. Pretty impressive feat given the amount of people he does this for. Jess is a new waitress/bartender at Brown’s and deserves recognition as well. She is always smiling and having a good time. Sometimes she even knows when I need another drink before I do, which, in my opinion, is one of the many marks of great service. And when the going gets tough, Jess is always there to make sure we have enough people to have a successful Bear Fight, which isn’t always in the best interest of the bar, the patrons, or the participants…but much appreciated nonetheless. - Cutlercantcutcheese - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 5:55 pm: Mike at DH Brown-remembers everyone - Liz - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 6:17 pm: Mike at Brown’s for best bartender! He remembers everybody and what they’re drinking. He’s seen a lot and doesn’t judge, well, not too much. Jess at Brown’s for best waitress! She always has a drink ready for me or a suggestion if I want try try something new. She manages to keep everybody’s drinks full and still have time to chat. - A Modest Proposal - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 6:17 pm: Mike at DH, his 20 years old superb bar tending performances deserve recognition. If only the politicians here remembered everyone’s names and drink orders as well as Mike… - steve schnorf - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 6:41 pm: Mike at Brown’s; old school, does his job, not watch TV and chat people up while others wait - Mitt - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 6:49 pm: Mike the bartender at Browns. He always knows your drink, is patient, and great guy to talk sports with. - Tonto - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 7:00 pm: Jess and Mike at Browns. flim dipity wim wam eat my cornbread - New Guy - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 7:45 pm: Mike at D.H. Browns! Quick on the drinks, friendly, and carries a great conversation. Plus, he puts up with our shenanigans. - Anon - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 8:11 pm: Jamie from Boone’s because she’s doing a great job serving us tonight. - Anon - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 9:52 pm: Best bartender is Jamie at Boone’s. She knows your drink and pours a great cocktail. She’s also always incredibly friendly, patient, and relatable. - George dadadayah - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 11:39 pm: Jamie from Boones is the best bartender in town. Her smile is contagious, and she likes to entertain her guests even after her shift. In short, Jamie is cordial and she will play you good tunes upon request! Go Jamie! - Costanza - Tuesday, Dec 4, 12 @ 11:49 pm: Who doesn’t love Jamie, she’s sweet, bubbly and a great server. She’s got a pleasant smile even on the crappiest of Springfield days. Mikey from DHB, it ain’t rocket science. He is solid and looks after the customers. Tie goes to I can’t decide both are awesome lets give two awards. - Oh, please... - Wednesday, Dec 5, 12 @ 7:46 am: Kathleen at the Globe. Sweet, attentive and always a smile. Remembers your drink even when you are not a “regular” but only an “occasional” patron. Globe wouldn’t be the same without her. And she doesn’t overlook the women, which can happen with other bartenders. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Dec 5, 12 @ 8:19 am: Kathleen at the Globe. She is always friendly, has a big smile, greets you with your name, makes a great Martini or anything you would like, and really care about her customers. She treats everyone with respect, regardless of their position or title . - OT - Wednesday, Dec 5, 12 @ 9:10 am: Mike at Brown’s, no question. He’s friendly, quick with a drink, and remembers your name - even if it has been a while. He’s also the kind of bartender that won’t banish you personally if you have been an overserved PITA, but he will make you feel bad enough to banish yourself if you have had one of those “shame” nights. - jacobbo23 - Wednesday, Dec 5, 12 @ 10:55 am: Jamie at Boone’s! Great stuff. - anon - Wednesday, Dec 5, 12 @ 12:50 pm: Sebastian’s is hands down the best place for amazing food and has a great wine slection!!!! The staff is great and very attentive to guests needs. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.