Chris Schmid, Beverage Director and Bartender Extraordinare at Policy.
Although Chris Schmid has only been at Policy since last August, he’s already been promoted to Beverage Director inaddition to being a bartender extraordinaire. Stop by the cozy-meets-modern bar on 14th Street and ask Chris about his recent encounter with Ted Allen…and his somersault method of pouring shots with his barback.
On Tap: What’s the best thing about working at Policy?
Chris Schmid: I’d have to say it’s definitely the group of people I work with and work for. They’re cool, young, goal-minded individuals. We have fun at work every day. Our chef is awesome. It’s cool to represent something you can stand behind.
OT: If you could make a drink for anyone famous, who would it be and what would you make them
CS: Hemingway — he’s awesome, the most prolific drinker ever. I’d make him a rum Manhattan.
OT: Since you are the Beverage Director, do you have your own signature drink?
CS: I wouldn’t say signature. We have a list of drinks [unique ] to here. We custom make a lot of the syrups that go into them; I make them behind the scenes and we add them in.
OT: Are you single and if so, what do you look for in a mate?
CS: Yes, very single. And I ask myself that question every day. Someone fun, easy-going, who likes to go out and eat and drink as well.
OT: What’s your idea of an ideal date?
CS: Probably a picnic in the spring with some sparkling wine.
OT: Do you have any hobbies outside of bartending?
CS: I try to golf quite a bit when it’s nice outside. I’m an avid cycler, try to ride a bike as much as I can. And studying wine, but it’s more a task that I do.
OT: What fictional character best describes your personality?
CS: Everyone calls me McNulty from “The Wire.” I guess I look like him, but in the show he’s great. A short-tempered, drunk cop.
OT: And that describes you?
CS: Oh, to a T.
OT: What’s the best thing about being the guy behind the bar?
CS: I like making a drink that someone’s never had before and seeing them really enjoy it.
OT: Do you have any bartending tricks?
CS: I can make shots of Jameson disappear.
Catch Chris at Policy Tuesday through Saturday night.
Policy: 1904 14th St. NW, DC; 202-387-7654; www.policydc.com
[googleMap name="Policy" width="590" height="235" mousewheel="false"]1904 14th St. NW, DC[/googleMap]
