Spill the Mar'TI'ni (5 of 6)

Porfirio "Pro" Contreras, Tate's Dallas

Read the introduction.

This is the only way to stock the tremendous wall of whiskey at Tate's. Pro is an OG in every sense of the phrase. I can still clearly remember the first time I met him. I was new to the area and really into Japanese whiskey. It was whiskey Wednesday and there were just a few too many guests at the bar top for him to chat with everyone. The guy next to me, reading his Kindle, lived at the apartments across the road and Pro introduced us. We quickly struck up a conversation and since the guy was there first, our drinking speed was off by half a drink, causing both of us to stay for "just one more" about 2 extra times!

Where are you from?
Dallas, Texas
But really, where are you from? 
I grew up in Oak Cliff until middle school and then I finished high school in The Colony... Culture shock! I went from being in a predominantly black and Hispanic neighborhood to a white neighborhood. This was probably in the early 90's.
What cocktail are you making today?
I can make anything? *eyes wide open* *eyebrows arched with excitement* Sidecar! *dramatic pause* *proceeds to walk the bar like he's producing an infomercial* We're going to use Remy Martin 1738, Cointreau, fresh lime juice - that's what makes it different. And we're going to use a brown sugar and cinnamon on the rim. That's going to give it something special.

---

Who makes the best bar guest?
*locks fingers upon the bartop*  *stares off in distance* *crosses arms* A person that is not scared to open up or start a conversation. Like I said it doesn’t matter what kind of cocktail you want, it’s about conversation

Pro's Sidecar: 2 ounces Remy Martin 1738, 1 ounce Cointreau, 1 ounce fresh squeezed lime juice, .25 ounce simple syrup. Shake. Strain to cocktail glass rimmed with brown sugar and cinnamon. Garnish with a lime wheel.

---

Who is the non-bartender rendition of you?
I'm daddy. Family man. That's it. Everything I do is for my kids and my family. They really changed my life around. If I didn't have them I don't know where I would be. 
Can you make me laugh?
Me?? *makes a ridiculous face* I just did!!
Can we do this again?
Of course.

I think this man might have more Jordans than there are days in the year.

Pro is a guy that will have regulars until the day he hangs up his bar key. He's never met a stranger and he finds a way to connect with people with astonishing ease. Don't be fooled by his tough, tatted image. He's got a tremendous heart and would do anything to help a friend, even a friend that's just a cocktail waitress.