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Mankato Magazine: Familiar Face
Bartender knows the ropes and the drinks
If you have a bar of choice in the Mankato area, there’s a good chance Doug “Digger” Rodell has served you a drink at one time or another.
The longtime bartender manages Spinners Bar in North Mankato, but he’s made his way around to various bars to keep the atmosphere fresh and to meet new people. Having spent the most time at T.J. Finnegan’s Pub, Rodell also has served drinks behind the bar at Hooligan’s, Choppers, Buster’s and South Street Saloon.
Why bartending? He just kind of fell into it while working at the Holiday Inn. And under the guidance of the bar’s knowledgeable staff, he became pretty good at it.
What keeps him in the business these days are the people and a familiar job he continues to enjoy throughout the years.
What makes a good bartender?
Keep the bar clean and keep a drink in front of people. A clean bar is a professional bar.
Do you ever get stumped and don’t know a drink someone requests?
Oh, yeah. There’s all sorts of them. They come up with new ones all the time, with the different flavored liquors coming out. ... Most are just old drinks with new names.
What’s the key to making a good mixed drink — not too weak or too strong?
The best way is to pack a glass full of ice and put in a shot or a shot and a half. That makes a nice healthy drink. ... The key is you always stuff ice in the glass.
What’s your drink of choice?
VO and water. (Very Own Canadian blended whiskey and water.)
Is there a drink that’s a big pain to make?
I don’t like blender drinks at all. (They’re a pain to make, and they’re usually pretty spendy for the customer.)
Is there a drink that’s particularly difficult to get right?
A lot of people say I make the best bloody marys. That’s probably the toughest one. It’s suited to people’s taste. (Some people like more vodka, or more Tabasco, etc.)
Do people really come in alone and broken-hearted and spill their secrets to you like they do on TV?
I had a professor who is now deceased who said I should get a degree in sociology. You do get people (like that). Usually those are the knuckleheads you don’t want in there.
Where did you get “digger” as your nickname?
Chicks used to dig me.
Do you plan to stick with bartending for the long haul?
Yeah, (customer) service must be my forte. ... I would like to maybe own some day.
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