Story by Andy Ratcliff, electronic mail him at andrewjohn@me.com

Pictures by Christopher Pearche @christophernpearce

Ramblin Rascal Tavern turns ten this 12 months. To me, they’re the groovy indie band that denied signing to a serious label and refused to bow to the traits of the time however continued their pilgrimage to acquire a legacy of cheeky greatness. On the coronary heart of this bordello of badass, they’re three naughty boys who managed to pool their collective abilities and instil an establishment the place good instances reign supreme. Right here, I speak to Charlie Lehmann and Sebastian ‘Cosmo’ Soto concerning the highlights and lowlights of proudly owning Australia’s premier five-star dive bar.

Let’s begin in the beginning. How did you guys get into the enterprise and when/the place did you meet?

Charlie: I began at 19 years of age on the Hilton Lodge, and I went from occasions all the way down to Marble Bar as a barback after which as much as Zeta Bar, which kicked off my love for bartending. Heaps of fits and suspenders as that was the period. Darden (who’s presently browsing in Queensland and couldn’t make it to the interview) began off bartending with the remainder of the dinosaurs within the Mesozoic period.
Cosmo: I used to be working for my Uncle who owned a Spanish cabaret restaurant/nightclub and I began working for him on the weekends and simply thought if this different man can bartend then so can I!

You all met while you labored collectively at The Baxter Inn, the place you had been the pioneers behind the joint and influenced many different folks. What do you miss about these days?
Charlie: Ahh the golden years! Pre-lockout days and the start of the small bar period. I feel on my first evening I bear in mind we had some staffies and ended up in a strip membership. I spent my first pay packet taking the boys out.
Cosmo: Charlie was a daily there and we appreciated him so we bought him a job.

What made you assume you wished to do it yourselves?
Charlie: I feel we had been younger and foolish. It was the time the place the native authorities was pushing to have extra impartial operators within the metropolis and it was simpler to do it again then. To not say it was simple. However simpler than now. It was opportunistic.
Cosmo: As a result of we’re idiots!

For many who wish to begin a bar on the market, how the hell did you make it occur?
Charlie: Jason and Anton (Swillhouse) helped us out with lots of the method. Leasing attorneys, tax folks and business actual property folks to search out spots. Anton truly discovered this web site.
Cosmo: Not financially however issues like tips on how to write a marketing strategy and different intricacies.

The place did the venue identify come from?
Charlie: We had been pissed at Frankie’s one evening and thought that we wanted to begin writing down names for the place. We now have that checklist framed someplace round right here. I actually wished to open a homosexual bar known as the Honey Drippers Honkey Tonk or Poppa Midnights.
Cosmo: We liked alliteration, and we appreciated having the Tavern half as a result of it was once known as the King’s Tavern. We knew we wished to incorporate beers and music as a part of that.

“We had been pissed at Frankie’s one evening and thought that we wanted to begin writing down names for the place. We now have that checklist framed someplace round right here. I actually wished to open a homosexual bar known as the Honey Drippers Honkey Tonk or Poppa Midnights.” – Charlie Lehmann

We’ve seen some tough instances over the previous few years like lockout legal guidelines, flooding, pandemics and staffing shortages. What had been the hardest instances you’ve confronted and the way the f**ok did you get by means of them?
Charlie: You’ll be able to’t management the remainder of the universe however you possibly can management your universe. You simply educate what’s in entrance of you to one of the best of your capacity and educate what you understand till you discover a degree the place all of it comes again to.
Cosmo: You simply get by means of it. You simply hold going. Additionally, alcohol helps.

What are a few of the finest elements about proudly owning a bar?
Charlie: Hanging out together with your mates! Being able to create what you wish to see.
Cosmo: Having an concept come to life is simply superior. Particularly while you see it, and it’s constructed, and also you find it irresistible and hope that different folks actually prefer it, too. It’s a way of feat.

You guys are well-known for being a enjoyable bartender’s bar. I’ve seen footage of individuals throwing themselves down the steps right here, folks falling off furnishings and usually simply having a blast. What are a few of the most insane belongings you’ve seen right here?
Charlie: Clearly some issues I can’t share. Pure platinum was once down the street and so that point introduced some debauchery and lock-ins. Hanging out with Actor Danny McBride on Anzac day was fairly epic. The perfect nights are the nights while you don’t plan issues.
Cosmo: Clearly internet hosting the Foo Fighters was a fairly cool spotlight. (Singer Dave Grohl is usually noticed carrying his Rascals shirt on stage).

I suppose that solutions my subsequent query, which is, who’s the weirdest or most enjoyable character you’ve ever served?
Charlie: Hilltop Hoods, Danny McBride, The Foo Fighters, Briggs, The South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Cosmo: Charlie’s Dad!

When issues get free in right here, and it’s a must to escort folks out, how do you go about doing that? Is it the RoadHouse mantra of ‘Be good’?
Charlie: Folks can’t get angrier and angrier at you while you’re good to them.
Cosmo: Healthful hospitality!

It’s such a person venue with intricacies that might by no means be concocted by an enormous group or hospitality firm. You will have the ‘Don’t be a dick’ slogan, you pioneered the ‘shit tinnie’ and you’ve got in all probability probably the most recognisably branded merchandise in Australia. What’s it that retains folks coming again?
Charlie: It’s the five-star dive bar really feel. It feels prefer it might kick off into a celebration at any time.
Cosmo: You simply don’t know what’s going to occur on any given evening. There’s a way of hazard and enjoyable, and hopefully, the employees put you relaxed. I hope that’s what we ship! It’s the sense that you can be having a quiet drink one minute, then the following, you’re cancelling your plans tomorrow.

I don’t assume that basically exists anymore in Sydney apart from this joint. You used to produce other bars like that however now as they’ve grown they’ve misplaced that edge.
Cosmo: They’ve extra to lose now and so they’re extra firm pushed. We nonetheless don’t have a lot to lose!
Charlie: There’s no expectation right here. Numerous different venues have nice service and product however there’s an expectation while you go into different cocktail bars.

You’ve had some extremely gifted employees in your time. How do you retain them in such a aggressive market?
Cosmo: You kind of lay out what you wish to get from them and also you ship to them what they want. You give them an ear after they want it and be empathetic of their state of affairs. You might want to perceive if it’s finest for them to be in your organization the place you possibly can foster that as a lot as you possibly can. The longer they keep they clearly change into extra of part of our household.
Charlie: You additionally work within the trenches with them. If they will see you working alongside them they perceive it’s a group effort. In the event you deal with your employees properly and pay them the wage they deserve they typically keep.

Being round for a very long time and internet hosting all these events, have you ever bought any tricks to maintain your self on this business?
Cosmo: Don’t do what Charlie did at Tales of the Cocktail! Go at your personal tempo! I bear in mind being youthful, the place we’d simply drink and work. Now I imagine it is advisable to have a interest exterior the business. In any other case, this can devour you.
Charlie: You don’t must sustain with the Joneses right here! Hydralite helps and attempt to get some relaxation. It’s there to be loved! For longevity within the business, simply stretch! You might want to have steadiness in your life.

This final one is for Charlie. When the Boston Celtics win the title this 12 months, do you assume you’ll add a championship banner within the bar to have fun? (Sorry Cosmo).
Charlie: HAHA! I’ve a flag someplace!
Cosmo: NO! You’ll be able to dangle a flag and I’ll spray paint “Portland” over it!