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Bartenders all over the St. Louis area have loyal customers. Caitlin McReynolds, of Cousin Hugo’s Bar & Grill, has found an interesting way to keep people coming back; she plies them with sweets. “I love to bake, so every holiday I do themed cupcakes. Then during Christmas I make homemade sugar cookies that I glaze, pipe with frosting and decorate [like snowflakes]. It’s fun, I bring them in for all the customers as a way to say I appreciate them coming in to the bar.” McReynolds took some time to share more of her life behind the bar with us.
How did you come to work at Cousin Hugo’s?
I started coming in here when I was eight years old and [my family] became regulars. Once I got into high school my mom and I would come here three or four times a week. When I was about 19, Tommy [Bahn, Cousin Hugo’s owner] looked at me and said, “You’re here so much, would you like to get paid to be here?” I wasn’t sure, because I did have another job at the time, but about a week later our general manager asked if I wanted to work Sunday’s here as a waitress [so I took it]. I slowly weaned myself off of my other job and became a full-time waitress. Then, about three years ago, they asked me to come on full-time as a bartender. Six years later I’m still here!
So, it really pays to be a regular, huh?
Definitely! That’s happened with a couple of the girls here. The first employee Tommy ever hired still works here, 24 years later. We have another girl who’s been here 20 years and a couple of others who’ve been here 10 and 12 years. You can tell it’s a great place to work, people wouldn’t stay that long if it weren’t. It’s like a little family; we just love each other here, really.
What do you think keeps your regulars coming back, besides the cupcakes?
I’d like to think it was me! But, it’s also because we’re very reasonably priced. We’ve been here for a long time and don’t change it up too much. People feel very comfortable; it’s almost like their living room in a way. And the regulars are such nice people, when a new person comes in they welcome them and start talking to them. It’s like the regulars make new regulars here.
Why do you think you’re good behind the bar?
I love people. I was always getting in trouble when I was a kid; the report card would always say, “Caitlin’s a good student but she talks too much”! I love being around people and I’m actually genuinely interested in most of the things people say to me.
Do you have a favorite drink when you go out?
I’m a fan of white wine, especially chardonnay. Occasionally I will have a glass of Chianti. I’m also a shot girl, and we make lots of shots at this bar. A lot of the regulars like Jäger, but I try to get them away from that and make them something fun. I made up a Starburst shot about three years ago with four different flavored vodkas and a splash of Red Bull.
Why should someone who’s never been to Cousin Hugo’s try it out?
You’re always going to be welcome. It could be your first time and you’ll feel like you’ve been talking to your best friend when you come in. Then there’s the fabulous, world famous Hugo Burger. They’re called that because our owner was wearing one of our shirts while doing a flight change in the Paris airport and someone walked up to him and said, “Cousin Hugo’s? I know you guys, you have great burgers!”
Party season is coming up, what do you think constitutes a well-stocked home bar?
I’d always offer a red and a white wine at a party. I’d also have Bud and Bud Light, or just a heavy and lighter beer. People seem to be drinking a lot of vodka these days, so I’d have three or four different flavored vodkas. And you’d need some fillers, like limeades, raspberry lemonades, some sodas and mixers like cranberry juice so you can make mixed drinks. You should definitely have fresh limes, that way you can coat the rim of a martini glass and roll it in sugar. It’s really simple, but gives the drink that extra something, especially for a party.
