Donie Smith started working at the Horsehead Bar about a year ago, but that was enough time to garner her a “sexiest bartender” win. A Cottage Grove native, Smith says she was a bit surprised to hear she had won. She shouldn’t be, because voters raved about her “perfect smile,” “great personality” and “sweet-ass tats.”
One voter wrote that “the way she pours an ice cold PBR sends tantalizing synaptic messages through the most primal parts of my brain.” That’s pretty hard to beat.
What makes you the sexiest bartender?
Actually, I was not expecting this at all. I have no idea. What do people usually say? Maybe because I’m young? I guess I’m pretty modest.
A lot of people commented on how sexy your tattoos are. Could you describe them?
I have a Day of the Dead sugar skull on the back of my neck and the Eye of Ra on my wrists. I’ve got a lotus flower and the Greek god of desire on my ankle. Most of them were done right after I turned 18, but the one on my wrist I just did a couple months ago.
What’s your favorite part of tending bar?
Cottage Grove is such a small town, so I absolutely love that I’m in a town where I don’t know everybody and I get to meet new faces and hear different stories, and just take in and listen to what everybody’s got to say.
What’s your least favorite part?
I don’t know, sorry!
What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened while you were bartending?
I would have to say it was last night. The manager told me that somebody was trying to get a hold of me for sexiest bartender, and he gave me the phone number to call, but he gave me the wrong number, so I ended up calling some random guy. When I called and asked about it, he said, “Are you sure you’re supposed to be talking to me?” And I said, “I’m sorry, I think someone’s playing a cruel joke on me.” But then he said, “Wait, are you single?” And he said if I’m ever in the Horsehead, maybe we can meet up. So when I came into the bar last night, I was on the lookout for this random guy who I called.
What would you say is your signature drink?
I love making a Fresh and Clean [vodka, lemon, soda water]. Do you mean what’s my favorite drink? That would either be Hefeweizen or a Fresh and Clean.
Photo by Todd Cooper.