Karli Hecklinger Crane is a seasoned bartender with 16 years of experience. She is from Merritt Island and works at H&D Roadhouse. H&D is all about the community and helping others out. Sure, it’s a good time and everyone has fun but they all give back and have each other’s back. They raise money every week for a good cause or to help someone out. The owners are very caring and generous and Karli is too. She has been a loyal bartender with H&D for nearly 10 years! Karli tells us how proud she is to be employed at H&D Roadhouse and that she loves everyone there.
What’s the best part of the job? The worst?
I think the best part is that all the people you meet over the years become like family; it’s also the worst part as we get older and lose ones we love.
What is your drink of choice?
I keep it simple: Titos and water
Most overrated/underrated drink?
I think White Claws are so overrated. It’s barely flavored club soda. It’s “basic.” Underrated drinks to me are the old school cocktails that are beautiful and take skills to create.
What the funniest pickup line you’ve overheard while on the job?
Oh boy… we hear it all. I don’t recall the funniest. They are all great!
Favorite perks of being a bartender?
I love the public and being nosey; with bartending, you meet a lot of people and you hear a lot of stories.
Where do you spend your time on the other side of the bar?
If I’m drinking, 99% of the time I’m at H&D Roadhouse. It’s where I bartend as well as all of my best friends/family.
Tell us a quick horror story about a bartending mistake you’ve made.
One time I was really busy, we had a biker run come through the bar really early so I was making tons of Bloody Mary’s quick; I’ll never forget these ladies impatiently waiting directly in front of me while I’m clearly trying my best to pump out like 100 drinks. I went to shake the Bloody Mary mix but the cap was already off and it went all over them! Surprisingly, they were nice to me and we actually still laugh about it today.
How much sexual innuendo increases your tips?
Depending on the person, play the game. We are not just there to serve drinks; we are there to console, entertain and flirt lol
What would you order for your last meal?
Anything Asian.
What is number one on your bucket list?
Trip to Europe
What’s the strangest thing to happen while on the job?
I see a lot of strange things, but one time a guy rode his bicycle in the back door through the whole bar and out the front. He also left… like never saw him again.
What have you drank so much of you swear you’d never drink again?
I’ve retired quite a lot from my younger days (jager, tequila, fireball)
If you could serve any celebrity, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you serve them?
It would be Elvis and I’d serve him the “Elvis” screwball peanut butter whiskey with banana rum cream.
What is your biggest pet peeve while tending bar?
People that blow their nose on beverage napkins and leave them for me to throw away, or gum in ashtrays.
Who are the best tippers?
Service industry people and millennials believe it or not lol
Words of wisdom?
Drink responsibly! It’s all fun until you have to worry about people.
Comments