Behind Bars: Julie Howell is having fun with her job

Working behind the bar at Guy Harvey’s Island Grill is a lot of fun for bartender Julie Howell, especially with fun, fishing-inspired cocktails with names like Nauti-Angler and Barracuda Bite. The waterfront restaurant, which sees a lot of patrons come in by boat, has a host of drinks named in tune with the nautical theme.

The Nauti-Angler contains Belvedere vodka, lemonade, Grand Marnier and a splash of Chambord. The Barracuda Bite takes Bacardi 151 Rum, peach schnapps and orange juice.

One favorite of Howell’s is the Blue Marlin, because of its color. The blue drink features Cruzan rum, Blue Curacao, cream de coconut and pineapple juice. “I like that mainly because it’s got coconut rum and it’s blue, she said.

Another favorite of the bartenders is the key lime pie martini. “It’s excellent,” she said. “It has a graham cracker crust rim. This is an area that key lime pie is well-known, and to have it in a martini – it’s like a dessert.”

A lot of people ask for the Flying Tarpon, which features all top shelf liquors and is almost too big for one person. It’s a 27-ounce margarita with Patron Silver, Cuervo Gold, Cointreau and Grand Marnier, with a splash of Rose’s lime juice. Patrons looking to cool off after a hot day on the water can try frozen drinks like the dirty banana, which features Cruzan rum, banana liqueur, ice cream and chocolate.

If you’re looking for a good happy hour, enjoy it at Guy Harvey’s from 3 to 7 p.m. every day of the week. Not only does it include a $3.99 appetizer menu, featuring goodies like fish fingers, chicken tenders, fried oysters, fried clam strips and chicken wings, it also includes deals on cocktails. During happy hour, patrons can get $2 domestic drafts, $3 well drinks, $3 house wines and $6 specialty martinis.

“A lot of the older couples they come in every couple nights, have a glass of wine and order a few things from the bar menu,” Howell said. “I enjoy it because I get to see them so much more often, because we have a bar menu that’s affordable.”

Howell used to tend bar in college and owned her own business for six years before the economy forced her to close down and find an alternate means of making some money until times get a little better. “I love people,” Howell said. “I love the old couples that live here and come in year-round. I know their names. I know their whole life stories. I like to meet new people and find out about their lives.”

If you go...Guy Harvey’s

Island Grill

760 N. Collier Blvd.

Call for hours

642-2248