Story by Andy Ratcliff, e-mail him at andrewjohn@me.com
Pictures by Christopher Pearche @christophernpearce
Ramblin Rascal Tavern turns ten this yr. To me, they’re the groovy indie band that denied signing to a serious label and refused to bow to the traits of the time however continued their pilgrimage to acquire a legacy of cheeky greatness. On the coronary heart of this bordello of badass, they’re three naughty boys who managed to pool their collective skills and instil an establishment the place good instances reign supreme. Right here, I speak to Charlie Lehmann and Sebastian ‘Cosmo’ Soto concerning the highlights and lowlights of proudly owning Australia’s premier five-star dive bar.
Let’s begin originally. How did you guys get into the enterprise and when/the place did you meet?
Charlie: I began at 19 years of age on the Hilton Lodge, and I went from occasions right down to Marble Bar as a barback after which as much as Zeta Bar, which kicked off my love for bartending. Heaps of fits and suspenders as that was the period. Darden (who’s at the moment browsing in Queensland and couldn’t make it to the interview) began off bartending with the remainder of the dinosaurs within the Mesozoic period.
Cosmo: I used to be working for my Uncle who owned a Spanish cabaret restaurant/nightclub and I began working for him on the weekends and simply thought if this different man can bartend then so can I!
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You all met once you labored collectively at The Baxter Inn, the place you have been the pioneers behind the joint and influenced many different individuals. What do you miss about these days?
Charlie: Ahh the golden years! Pre-lockout days and the start of the small bar period. I believe on my first night time I bear in mind we had some staffies and ended up in a strip membership. I spent my first pay packet taking the boys out.
Cosmo: Charlie was a daily there and we preferred him so we bought him a job.
What made you suppose you wished to do it yourselves?
Charlie: I believe we have been younger and foolish. It was the time the place the native authorities was pushing to have extra unbiased operators within the metropolis and it was simpler to do it again then. To not say it was straightforward. However simpler than now. It was opportunistic.
Cosmo: As a result of we’re idiots!
For many who need to begin a bar on the market, how the hell did you make it occur?
Charlie: Jason and Anton (Swillhouse) helped us out with plenty of the method. Leasing attorneys, tax individuals and business actual property individuals to search out spots. Anton really discovered this web site.
Cosmo: Not financially however issues like easy methods to write a marketing strategy and different intricacies.
The place did the venue title come from?
Charlie: We have been pissed at Frankie’s one night time and thought that we would have liked to begin writing down names for the place. We now have that listing framed someplace round right here. I actually wished to open a homosexual bar referred to as the Honey Drippers Honkey Tonk or Poppa Midnights.
Cosmo: We liked alliteration, and we preferred having the Tavern half as a result of it was referred to as the King’s Tavern. We knew we wished to incorporate beers and music as a part of that.
“We have been pissed at Frankie’s one night time and thought that we would have liked to begin writing down names for the place. We now have that listing framed someplace round right here. I actually wished to open a homosexual bar referred to as the Honey Drippers Honkey Tonk or Poppa Midnights.” – Charlie Lehmann
We’ve seen some tough instances over the previous few years like lockout legal guidelines, flooding, pandemics and staffing shortages. What have been the hardest instances you’ve confronted and the way the f**ok did you get by them?
Charlie: You’ll be able to’t management the remainder of the universe however you may management your universe. You simply educate what’s in entrance of you to the most effective of your potential and educate what you realize till you discover a stage the place all of it comes again to.
Cosmo: You simply get by it. You simply preserve going. Additionally, alcohol helps.
What are among the greatest components about proudly owning a bar?
Charlie: Hanging out along with your mates! Being able to create what you need to see.
Cosmo: Having an thought come to life is simply superior. Particularly once you see it, and it’s constructed, and also you adore it and hope that different individuals actually prefer it, too. It’s a way of accomplishment.
You guys are well-known for being a enjoyable bartender’s bar. I’ve seen footage of individuals throwing themselves down the steps right here, individuals falling off furnishings and usually simply having a blast. What are among the most insane belongings you’ve seen right here?
Charlie: Clearly some issues I can’t share. Pure platinum was down the highway and so that point introduced some debauchery and lock-ins. Hanging out with Actor Danny McBride on Anzac day was fairly epic. One of the best nights are the nights once you don’t plan issues.
Cosmo: Clearly internet hosting the Foo Fighters was a reasonably cool spotlight. (Singer Dave Grohl is commonly noticed sporting his Rascals shirt on stage).
I assume that solutions my subsequent query, which is, who’s the weirdest or most enjoyable character you’ve ever served?
Charlie: Hilltop Hoods, Danny McBride, The Foo Fighters, Briggs, The South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Cosmo: Charlie’s Dad!
When issues get free in right here, and you need to escort individuals out, how do you go about doing that? Is it the RoadHouse mantra of ‘Be good’?
Charlie: Individuals can’t get angrier and angrier at you once you’re good to them.
Cosmo: Healthful hospitality!
It’s such a person venue with intricacies that would by no means be concocted by an enormous group or hospitality firm. You might have the ‘Don’t be a dick’ slogan, you pioneered the ‘shit tinnie’ and you’ve got in all probability probably the most recognisably branded merchandise in Australia. What’s it that retains individuals coming again?
Charlie: It’s the five-star dive bar really feel. It feels prefer it might kick off into a celebration at any time.
Cosmo: You simply don’t know what’s going to occur on any given night time. There’s a way of hazard and enjoyable, and hopefully, the employees put you comfortable. I hope that’s what we ship! It’s the sense that you possibly can be having a quiet drink one minute, then the following, you’re cancelling your plans tomorrow.
I don’t suppose that actually exists anymore in Sydney apart from this joint. You used to produce other bars like that however now as they’ve grown they’ve misplaced that edge.
Cosmo: They’ve extra to lose now they usually’re extra firm pushed. We nonetheless don’t have a lot to lose!
Charlie: There’s no expectation right here. Quite a lot of different venues have nice service and product however there’s an expectation once you go into different cocktail bars.
You’ve had some extremely proficient employees in your time. How do you retain them in such a aggressive market?
Cosmo: You form of lay out what you need to get from them and also you ship to them what they want. You give them an ear after they want it and be empathetic of their state of affairs. It’s essential to perceive if it’s greatest for them to be in your organization the place you may foster that as a lot as you may. The longer they keep they clearly turn into extra of part of our household.
Charlie: You additionally work within the trenches with them. If they will see you working alongside them they perceive it’s a workforce effort. In case you deal with your employees effectively and pay them the wage they deserve they typically keep.
Being round for a very long time and internet hosting all these events, have you ever bought any tricks to maintain your self on this trade?
Cosmo: Don’t do what Charlie did at Tales of the Cocktail! Go at your individual tempo! I bear in mind being youthful, the place we might simply drink and work. Now I consider you’ll want to have a passion outdoors the trade. In any other case, it will eat you.
Charlie: You don’t have to sustain with the Joneses right here! Hydralite helps and attempt to get some relaxation. It’s there to be loved! For longevity within the trade, simply stretch! It’s essential to have steadiness in your life.
This final one is for Charlie. When the Boston Celtics win the title this yr, do you suppose you’ll add a championship banner within the bar to have fun? (Sorry Cosmo).
Charlie: HAHA! I’ve a flag someplace!
Cosmo: NO! You’ll be able to grasp a flag and I’ll spray paint “Portland” over it!
