Christopher Verrilli
found at: Backstage — Eat, Drink, Live (Torrington)
Ever serve anyone famous? What did they drink?
Yes, being next to the Warner Theater we get that. However, the most famous encounter happened when I worked in Westport. I was working at Henry's Restaurant and Keith Richards came in. He ordered Rebel Yell [whiskey], but we didn't have it so he had a shot of Jack Daniel's instead. He was with his father Burt, who was always at Henry's. Burt was a very good guy.
Has a customer ever tried to stump you?
All the time. Somebody tried to stump me with a Negroni, but I knew how to make it and it backfired on them. Another customer asked me to make a sex on the beach and I put Midori in it. You know, I thought Midori was actually in it but it wasn't and I was wrong.
What is the most awesome thing you've ever seen a drunk do?
There was a knock-out, drag-out brawl at the bar in Westport. In the midst of the brawl, one of the guys sitting at the bar turned to another guy who had like two teeth in his mouth and said, “If you don't shut up, I'm gonna knock those two teeth out.” It was so funny. Funny because no one would ever expect that type of scenario to happen in Westport.
Have you received anything other than money as a tip?
I've been offered things but have never taken it. I've been a bartender since the ’80s so I've heard it and seen it all.
