Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a bartender in Oderzo is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I roll into work at my usual spot, Bar Centrale, right on Via Roma. It’s a cozy little joint, you know? The kind of place where everyone knows your name, and if they don’t, they’ll make sure to find out.
First off, the weather was all over the place. One minute it’s sunny, the next it’s pouring like the heavens opened up. I’m standing behind the bar, wiping down glasses, and I see this dude sprinting down Via Garibaldi, soaked to the bone. I mean, c’mon, bro, it’s not that serious! Just grab an umbrella next time!
Then, around 5 PM, the after-work crowd starts rolling in. You got the regulars, like old Mr. Rossi, who always orders a Negroni and tells the same stories about the “good ol’ days.” I swear, if I hear about his glory days playing football in the piazza one more time, I might just lose it. But hey, he’s a sweet old guy, so I just nod and smile.
But then, BOOM! This group of tourists walks in. They’re loud, they’re excited, and they have NO idea what they’re doing. They start ordering all these fancy cocktails. Like, dude, this is Oderzo, not Milan! I’m here for the spritz, not some crazy mixology experiment. I mean, I can whip up a mean spritz, but c’mon, keep it simple!
So, I’m mixing drinks, and suddenly, I hear this loud crash. I turn around, and it’s this girl who knocked over a whole tray of glasses. I’m like, “Seriously?!” My heart dropped. Glass everywhere! I’m trying to keep my cool, but inside, I’m like a volcano ready to erupt.
But then, outta nowhere, this guy named Luca steps in. He’s a local, and he’s got this charm that just lights up the room. He starts cracking jokes, helping clean up the mess, and suddenly, the mood shifts. Everyone’s laughing, even the girl who spilled everything. It’s like magic, man.
As the night goes on, I pour a few more drinks, and the place is buzzing. I’m feeling good, you know? Then, I spot this couple sitting in the corner. They’re all lovey-dovey, whispering sweet nothings. I can’t help but roll my eyes. Like, get a room, right? But then, they order a bottle of Prosecco, and I’m like, “Okay, maybe love is in the air.”
But then, just when I think it’s all chill, the power goes out! I’m standing there in the dark, and I can hear the groans and complaints. I’m like, “C’mon, Oderzo, not now!” But then, Luca starts singing some old Italian song, and everyone joins in. It’s like a scene from a movie. I’m laughing, and I can’t believe how quickly things turned around.
Finally, the lights flicker back on, and I’m back to pouring drinks. The night winds down, and I’m cleaning up. I look around, and it hits me. This little bar, in this little town, is full of life. Oderzo may be small, but it’s got heart.
As I lock up, I take a deep breath. I’m exhausted, but man, what a ride. I love this place, even with all the craziness. Here’s to another wild day in Oderzo! Cheers! 🍻