The Improper Bostonian may 2 – 15, 2007 25

of all the professionals we rely on every day—secretary, hairstylist, broker, doctor, dentist, shrink—there’s none we’d miss more if they were to throw in the towel than our favor-ite bartender. Not only do they provide many of the same services as the aforementioned, they do it with an elan you just don’ find elsewhere. Not to mention that thy also supply us with a chemical fix. n But to view them merely as legally sanctioned drug pushers is to miss the point entirely. Bartenders—especially good ones—offer friendship of an unquestioning, non-judgmental variety that yor’re likely to find only in acquaintances of very long standing, small children or Labrador retrievers. That makes them aces in our book. n Every year we ask readers to nominate their favorite bartenders, yielding an avalanche of responses. In addi-tion to tallying these votes, we take into consideration our own experience imbibing around town. Because certain names appear year after year, we include a sidebar of “Most Valuable Bartenders”—the legendary practitioners of this honorable art. IN h opes you’ll keep this is-sue around as a bar guide, we also include a signature drink recipe from each of this year’s winners, to help you re-create their magic at home. Short of us picking up your tab, what more could you want? n And so, with great pride we present Boston’s Beloved Bartenders, Class of 2007. Please read responsibly.

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