Due to our recent trend of interviewing dudes with beards, we are proud to present our first female bartender, Johna Machac. Unlike France, who experienced an angry mob of feminists sporting beards as “La Barbe,” seveneightfive loves our girls. Especially the ones bringing gin.

Behind the Bar with Johna, Terry’s Billiard Club, 3919 SW 21st Street.

What are three words to describe your bartending style?

Speed accuracy and ummm… A: You don’t have to sound like the best employee ever… J: But I am! Customer edits: She is no-nonsense… and like lightning. She is the favorite bartender.

Do you have a signature drink? I really hate blender drinks. If I have to get out the blender, it’s a bad deal. A: That seems to be a regular theme with bartenders. Customer edits: She makes a good Bloody Mary and White Russians A: The dude abides.

What is in your cabinet at home? Beer and probably some flavored UV. And you know, when we have parties we all make jello shots.

How does a customer get on your good or bad side? You know, some people come in and have a vibe about them that is happy and fun. And others come in and want to spend a lot of time spilling their guts to you day after day after day. I’m kind of a guy like that, because you can only take so much of one crybaby story for so long. That is why I like being busy.

Terry’s is a Billiards Club, right? What’s special about your bar? Everybody knows everyone here. It’s like “Cheers.” My hire date was ‘99. A lot of the relationships I’ve cultivated in and outside of here still usually involve this place. Also, people come to Terry’s for pool, mostly. Not just to get drunk. I actually also serve a lot of coffee and soda as well.

Tell me about special events you host? Terry has the, “Tournament of Champions,” once a year, and it’s free. Budweiser sponsors it but you must win a Friday, Saturday or Sunday tournament to play in it. Whoever wins, qualifies for the tournament. which pays out $1,500!

What about your daily specials? Terry’s prices are the cheapest in town. He just keeps it that way so he doesn’t have to change stuff. Men aren’t good with change. (ha ha) But he is obviously doing something right. He has been here for over 25 years. Find me any other places that have been successful that long. He does it right.

So you are the first Behind the Bar girl. So there will be no beard discussion. Is there a female version of “the beard discussion?” No, I shaved. Smooth as a baby’s butt.

Any differences being a female bartender? I don’t think guys catch as much shit as girls do. But I don’t really have that problem, because when I stand behind the bar, I am bigger than lots of those dudes. Plus, they don’t get constantly asked out at all. My favorite line to use is, “I don’t take my work home with me.”

Go to Johna’s second home, Terry’s Billiards at 3919 SW 21st Street, and party with Bud Light and seveneightfive on Saturday, August 6 from 6 to 8 pm. Drink specials and Bud Light swag will be given away (for those 21+).

[Amber Bonnett | photos by Colin MacMillan | Nathan Ham Photograpy | published July 15, 2011]