Some of my friends know that I’ve been working at a bar 2 nights a week. I’ve been doing this for about 3 months or so. It is an interesting part-time job to say the least.

First let me tell you bar itself. I work at the Encore Karaoke Lounge as KJ (karaoke jockey) and occasionally as a bartender. The place is a fancy dive. It’s dark and lit by soft warm lights. There’s 2 reasons to go to the Encore: drinking and singing. See, the nightly entertainment is the customers themselves. The bar is built around the stage area so when you’re singing everyone sees and hears you.

As KJ it’s my job to keep the party rolling. I am master of ceremonies and DJ all rolled into one. Patrons submit song requests in the form of small paper request slips and are encouraged to do drop in a little tip of a buck or two. I look up the songs, get on the microphone and announce the next singer, banter with the audience, and even occasionally sing a song or two during my shift.

I’ve also pulled a few shifts as bartender. That was fun as well. As my friends know, I’m a pretty outgoing person, so striking up conversation with strangers isn’t that hard for me. But my favorite part of that job is actually making the cocktails. It is an art and science you know.

Currently with my freelance schedule, I work for my clients doing illustration and web design during the weekdays. Then I hit the bar on Friday and Sunday nights. It has to some degree severely altered my already strange sleep schedule.

I’ve also made a few observations about the job as a whole. These things actually surprise me as in typical Bengali fashion I was born and bred for white collar work. But here’s what I find appealing:

  • being away from the computer
  • entertainment related evening. People are here to sing and to listen to other singers. At the Encore the croud is usually supportive and friendly.
  • all problems are solved in 5 minutes. (rowdy drunkards, customer service issues, technical problems, etc.)
  • at the end of the night; after we’ve cleaned up the place – that’s it. It’s over. When I go to bed I don’t lie there worrying about my project deadline or my client’s happiness.
  • I also enjoy the drive home during the early morning hours. Not too many cars on the road and I get to see another side of San Francisco.

Stay tuned for more…