Sigi Smailys would be happy to tell you his life story, if only Biergarten Haus was ever slow enough to accomplish such a conversation. On Tap sat down with this German import to discuss his busy work life and the importance of a good rugby jersey.
On Tap: How long have you been bartending?
Sigi Smailys: I started pouring drinks when I was 16 years old (legal drinking age in Germany). I’ve worked in tons of bars –mostly in Frankfurt.
OT: What brings you to DC?
SS: I met my wife while she was overseas and that’s what brought me to America. We were in Florida for a while. I play rugby everywhere I go and I saw a pretty cool jersey that belonged to the DC team. We were looking to move anyway, so… yeah that’s how we got to DC.
OT: And how did you get involved with the Biergarten?
SS: A friend said he was waiting for the new Biergarten to open before visiting DC. I said ‘What biergarten?!’ Discovered it was opening a few blocks away from where I lived and got in touch with the owner. We have a few Germans working here. We keep it authentic – everything from the taste of the food to pouring beer in the correct glass.
OT: Did you have any idea what you were getting yourself into?
SS: Yes and no. I thought it would be busy. Americans love Biergartens. Show me another place that has a garden like this in DC! But we opened during the World Cup, and I was not prepared for that crowd. I thought I had poured a lot of beers in my life, it was nothing compared to the World Cup craziness. I would be cleaning up the bar at the end of the night and my alarm would go off to wake me up for the next shift!
Catch Sigi five nights a week at the Biergarten Haus (Tuesday and Thursday he reserves for rugby.)
Biergarten Haus: 1355 H St. NE, DC; 202-388-4053; biergartenhaus.com
