Behind the Bar: Joe aka Yousif Khalil

Joe aka Yousif Khalil
Bar Deco
717 6th Street NW
Washington DC
202-774-5867
Bardecodc.com
How did you get started in the bartending business?
Many, many years ago I was working in the family business and slinging subs at the Ol Philly cheesesteak factory in G-town on the side. All the bartenders from Rhino Bar and Pump House would come in and I finally went there. One day they asked me to help in the kitchen, and then at the door, and then bar backing, and then, wait for it……”hey joe, you wanna bartend”?
What is your biggest bartender pet peeve?
I don’t have any pet peeves but I do have 3 pet dogs. Oh, and by the way, mean and foul language people stay away.
What is the most clever/original line anyone has ever used to get a free drink from you?
Can I speak to a manager?
What is the best/worst pick up line you have overheard at the bar?
A girl asked a friend I was working with to lean closer because she couldn’t yell…when he did she licked his neck. Startled, he said what are you doing.!? She then told him “now we’re both wet”.
Tell us about an interesting encounter you have had with a client.
I served an alien, (the illegal kind)!
If you could sit down and have a drink with anyone in the world (past or present), who would that be?
Blanche from the Golden Girls. Ooh oh oh. Chikachikaaaaa!!
Joe is behind the bar evenings every Tuesday through Friday!! You won’t be disappointed if you stop by to say Hi!
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