He goes by Herman, but the man's real name is Angelo Paul Gatto, and when he talked to us about his main gig - bartending at the Bug Jar - he hemmed and hawed a bit over how long he's actually been at it. Twelve years is the answer, all of it at the Jar. He's been there in various capacities - DJ, barback - since 1993.

Last Tuesday night, he sliced fruit and served drinks, bared the weeping bartender tattoo on his left bicep, and answered a couple questions about the nature of the job.

CITY: What's the best thing about bartending?

Herman: I like the hours, the casual, relaxed atmosphere. Being able to drink at work, you know. Getting people drunk. But drunks get old. You give ‘em an inch, they take a mile. Also, seeing new bands, meeting bands from out of town.

Worst part?

Sometimes it's slow, and you just stand around. I guess any job's like that.

Most obnoxious customer?

No one's too bad here. Just people yelling, or pounding the bar, snapping their fingers. Nothing too terrible. It's pretty chill. (Mimics me asking the next question): "What's your favorite drink?" "Jagerbomb." No. (Laughs).

How can someone catch your eye at the bar?

Show me their tits. (Laughs.) That'll get ‘em free drinks. Girls, not men. No man boobs, I have a pair of those. (Laugh again). No, just tip. And have your money ready, and try to lock eye contact.

What do you do when you're not behind the bar?

I collect records and bicycles. I peruse shoes on the internet. I go to thrift stores, buy junk, and collect crap. Household junk.

What's your favorite drink? To make and to drink?

Draft beer's the easiest. No, I like making complicated stuff. White Russians and fruity things. I like concocting fruity crap for girls and wimpy drinkers.

And to drink?

Probably PBR, Genny Light, sadly, and Makers Mark. I like the crappy beers. I don't like beer snobs. Aren't you gonna ask me what my favorite bars are or anything?

What're your favorite bars?

Abilene, the Barrel [of Dolls], the Krown. To see Kim Buckley at the Krown.

Anything else you'd like to add?

I was born behind a gas station in Long Island, New York. There was a hospital behind the gas station. But it sounds romantic. Uh, no, I have nothing to add. (Pauses). I'm looking for Grand Funk records.

Herman bartends Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights at the Bug Jar, 219 Monroe Ave. Want us to talk to your favorite bartender? E-mail jgraney@rochester-citynews.com.