To say that Bubba’s Sulky Lounge is an establishment in Portland, Maine, doesn’t come near capturing how vital this bar is to the neighborhood. Town’s go-to vacation spot for ingesting and dancing, the bar has hosted numerous birthdays, after-wedding events and teams of buddies inside its partitions since its 1961 opening within the Parkside neighborhood.
The unique Bubba’s was extra of a restaurant than a dance membership or bar, and was significantly recognized for the Bubba’s Particular, an Italian sandwich served on a big loaf of Italian bread. The constructing burned down within the late ’60s, however within the many years since, Bubba’s has slowly expanded its unique footprint, evolving from a smaller constructing into the multiroom bar that it’s at present, with a light-up ground and antiques that fill each nook and cranny, together with greater than 1,000 steel lunch containers that cling from the ceiling.
Whenever you step into Bubba’s on any given night time, dance music fills the area as locals and vacationers alike rub elbows. It’s right here on most nights that you just’ll discover Cece, 71, behind the bar. She has been a bartender at Bubba’s for 43 years, working because the supervisor for a lot of that point. Subsequent to her behind the stick is her sister, Karen, who one Christmas Eve was the primary particular person to maneuver Cece from the kitchen to the bar, the place she now resides a number of nights per week.
After greater than 4 many years, Cece has come to understand simply how far Bubba’s attain is. In reality, she’s been acknowledged in locations as distant as Aruba and Jamaica. It’s this sense of neighborhood fostered by the bar that retains her excited to be working. That, and the music.
Cece Champagne
Hometown:
Portland, Maine
Present metropolis:
Portland, Maine
Years within the trade:
43
Variety of bars labored at:
1
Drink served most frequently: “Something with vodka.”
Favourite drink: Sombrero (Allen’s Espresso Brandy and milk)
Favourite bars: VFW Halls and Eagles Submit
How did you discover your manner behind the bar?
Bubba [the owner of the bar] was in search of kitchen assist, so I began there. I had expertise within the kitchen from the sixth grade on, once I labored at a retailer throughout the road from my center faculty. I might go there within the mornings and do meals prep and dough-frying, then go to high school. I made a variety of meatballs.
It was Christmas Eve day and my sister, who was behind the bar, wanted somebody to assist her. She referred to as Bubba and he stated it was OK for me to get behind the bar. The shift began at 6 a.m., when the postal staff throughout the road completed their night time shift. We’d get packed. My sister educated me; she continues to be working right here at present, however has been on-and-off at Bubba’s.
What’s your favourite factor concerning the job?
I just like the environment and I like the folks. I just like the music, the cash is nice and the individuals are superior. The nights fly by actually rapidly for me. It is likely one of the nice jobs I’ve had in life, which is why I’m nonetheless right here. Even [when] I used to be working a second job, Bubba’s at all times got here first.
What qualities make a great bartender?
Having the character for it is vital. So is the present of gab. You have to be a folks particular person. You have to be caring and passionate concerning the work. It’s actually the love of individuals.
What does a typical shift seem like?
My sister, who’s the assistant supervisor, will get in earlier than me. She cuts up all of the fruits, shares the entrance with beer and ice. She is going to give the opposite girls working their banks for the night time that I’ve arrange. Once I get in round 7:30 p.m., it’s beginning to choose up. I’ll bartend with my sister all night time. We normally get out round 1:45 a.m. and I am going to mattress round 4 a.m.
What’s your favourite drink to make for friends?
It was a Lengthy Island Iced Tea; every thing goes into that drink. I’ve gotten away from these and can solely make them when enterprise is slower. Round midnight we don’t do Lengthy Islands or photographs anymore. I determine folks don’t have to be doing photographs at the moment of the night time. It isn’t at all times concerning the cash, however ensuring our friends get dwelling safely.
I created a drink referred to as “Fruits Across the World” and folks appear to love that one rather a lot. It’s fruit vodkas, Sierra Mist, grenadine and pineapple. I’ll ask what their favourite fruit is and that’s the largest pour. It’s fairly fashionable.
How has bartending modified because you began?
It has modified fairly a bit in 43 years. The liquor legal guidelines have gotten stricter—you must watch out serving folks. You kind of really feel like a babysitter at some factors. Again in my day, girls used to stand up and dance in teams. Now women and men will stand up and dance on their very own; you by no means noticed that earlier than.
How lengthy do you propose to bartend for?
I could possibly be finished anytime. Perhaps once I’m 72 or 73. However I may change my thoughts, it could possibly be subsequent week. I don’t have to work, however I get pleasure from it. It will get you out of the home, retains you in form, provides you one thing to do. If it wasn’t for the good folks, I might not be right here. The clientele may be very good. I get pleasure from entering into and seeing them and assembly new folks. Individuals are available in from across the nation and go to, then after they come again they bear in mind you.
