Matthew King

City Kitchen

330 South Picket Street

Alexandria

703-685-9172

FatCityKitchen.com

Matt serves up the Bristow Lemonade – MurLarkey Clemoncy Whiskey, simple syrup, pomegranate juice, citrus bitters & a splash of soda.

Matt is behind the bar Tuesday through Saturday nights.

How did you get started in the bartending business?

I started working in a restaurant when I was 17 years old while I was attending college for a finance degree. I started as a busboy and quickly became a server after I turned 18 and fell in love with the business. When I turned 21, I was given the opportunity at the same restaurant to bartend and realized I never wanted to be in any other industry again (including finance!).

What is your biggest bartender pet peeve?

Calling out my name when I am noticeably busy. “Yes, my name is Matt. I hear you, I see you, I know you are waiting and yes, I will be right with you.”

What is the cleverest line anyone has ever used to get you to give them a free drink?

A regular told me that her friend had just gotten rejected on a proposal to his girlfriend. She asked if I could put a drink on her tab but really on the house. (The way she worded it, “can I get a drink for him, on me, but on the house). My response “Uhhh… no.”

What is the best/worst pickup line you have overheard at the bar?

The worst: “How much does a polar bear weigh?” Enough to break the ice.

Tell us about an interesting encounter you have had with a customer(s).

I have two.

A guest asked me to put lukewarm water in a glass and add ice to it because he didn’t want it too cold…..As I did this with disdain, he said “oh, perfect”.

A guest ordered a rib-eye with sides and said that he needed his steak to be cooked well done. As I went to walk away he grabbed my arm and said “You don’t understand, I really need that steak well-done because my doctor said I cannot have any red meat.”

If you could sit down and have a drink with anyone in the world, past or present, who would that be?

My father and my grandfather (who have both passed). I would have loved to have had drinks with them when they were younger in their drinking days. And George Carlin would be up there as well.

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