Talking parties and drink specials with Landmark Americana’s Kerri Wade
I’ve gotta come right out with it. When you were nominated for bartender of the month, the name we got was Kerri “Landmark U” Wade. Is that something people actually call you? It’s something people call me on Thursday nights. Landmark U is what we call the party at Landmark when we turn it into college night on Thursdays, and that’s why people call me Kerri “Landmark U.”
What makes it special? We have amazing drink specials and a great atmosphere, plus we have giveaways to customers who come in. The turnout has been huge, and it’s getting better and better every month.
Well, amazing drink specials can do that. Yeah. We’ve got $2 U-Call-Its and $2 Fireball shots, plus happy hour parties every Thursday night where whoever hosts gets their first drink free. If they bring 15 people they get a bottle of Champagne at midnight.
How did you become the face of the party? Well we decided we wanted a night with great drink specials and music college students like, and I thought it was something cool that I’d enjoy doing.
I assume you’re in college? Yes.
At West Chester? Yes. I’m a senior, so I have two more semesters.
And then what? Hopefully I’ll have a job in marketing or management and most likely still be bartending here—I can’t get away from this place!
What brought you to Landmark? My sophomore year of college I was at the career fair, and I had to try Landmark’s chips and guac. I was interested in a job, but they didn’t have job applications, so I was told to come back after class. When I came back, I had an interview with Jason Santora, Landmark’s GM, and the next day I had a job. I’ve loved it ever since.
You jumped right into bartending just like that? I started serving, so I did that for a little over a year, but I got into bartending pretty quickly. Before I even turned 21, my manager asked if I’d be interested in bartending. It was something that was always on my mind, but I didn’t think it’d happen that quickly. Still, I was excited, so I took the classes and started bartending.
Being that you weren’t old enough to even go to the bar, was it a difficult transition for you? I’ve been in bars and restaurants working since I was 14. Besides learning the drink recipes, it wasn’t difficult it all. I had all the necessary skills and experience from serving.
Why do you like it better than serving? I meet a lot more people than I do while serving, and I have time to have conversations. I’ve got my regulars who come in all the time, and every day you meet someone new. You get to feel a connection with the people who sit at your bar.
