Last Tuesday night, my friend Aubrey and I headed to Mex (295 Alexander St) for trivia night, and to have a few post-work drinks. It turned out trivia night was canceled - the host had called in sick - but we were won over by the charming replacement, Greg Day, who served drinks and performed card tricks, each one flawless. I went back on Saturday to ask him a few questions about drinks and tricks. The interview's been edited for length and clarity.

CITY: So how long have you bartended at Mex?

DAY: Six years. It was my first bartending job.

What's the best thing about the job?

The socialization aspect; I love hanging out with people, the small talk, making them feel comfortable. And the cash doesn't hurt.

What's the worst thing about it?

It can be stressful when the bar's busy. Handling the drunk, boisterous customers.

Who's been your most obnoxious customer?

I don't know that there's ever one. It's the little things. People who don't know what they want, or don't have their money ready. If people just did those two things, there wouldn't be any annoying customers. But bartenders have been complaining about those things since the beginning of time.

What's Mex's best-selling drink?

The frozen strawberry margarita. [Day also serves his own take on the drink: he replaces the tequila with high-test Bacardi 151.]

What's your favorite drink?

Anything I can light on fire is my favorite to make. And I'm a beer drinker myself. I love Guinness.

How can someone catch your eye at the bar?

By waiting patiently. Or by waving a dollar bill obnoxiously in the air. That could catch my eye, or just make me ignore you.

What do you do when you're not at Mex?

I play a lot of chess. I like to play cards. And I like to hang out with my girlfriend, Susanna.

What's your favorite bar to go to besides Mex?

The Winfield Grill on the corner of Mayfield and Winton. The great thing about that place is I can fall out of my bedroom window and I'm there.

And how did the card tricks get incorporated into your evenings behind the bar?

It started off slowly, me just goofing off with a deck of cards. Gave me something to do with my hands. And for some reason people took a liking to it.

Anything you want to add?

This has been the most fun job I've ever had. It's been the time of my life.