Life is a Beach (Club) for This Outdoorsy Drink Slinger

drinks at the Beach Club for several months, but the self-proclaimed outdoors enthusiast is definitely enjoying the change-of-pace from his indoor gig.

“I love working outdoors,” he exclaims. “It’s beautiful. Even when it rains, I’m under a tent, so it really doesn’t impact me. I’m in shade, so I’m not in the sun at all, and they have misters on the outside, too, so they hit a little bit. And for some reason, because it’s on the river, there’s always a breeze. I mean, it’s not like it’s the beach, but it is almost.”

An East Pennsboro High School grad and current Hummelstown resident, Diodato regularly swims, hikes, camps, and hits the nature trails with his two kids, so it’s no wonder his affinity for the “beach club” life has happened so naturally, and since the only food served at the Beach Club comes from a permanently parked food truck, he is digging the laid-back atmosphere.

“You know, it’s not stressful,” he says, calmly assembling the ingredients needed for a refreshing Orange Cream Crush (recipe at the end of this article). “Without the food, I only make drinks, and I really enjoy that a lot … just the bartending itself.”

Diodato is part of a rather large 18-to-20 member bartending team, so obviously is not alone in his love for being outdoors. As a part of that team, he often helps to come up with new or seasonal drinks, as he did for a Father’s Day event in June, and also a recent luau event.

But no special event or night is required for the Beach Club’s specialty drink, the aforementioned City Island Iced Tea (pictured), a flavorful – and colorful – concoction which Diodato describes as “a Long Island Iced Tea with Blue Curacao and Sprite instead of Coke.”

Also contributing to the “fun in the sun” atmosphere at the increasingly popular waterfront spot is the regular live entertainment, including new Saturday night “Beach Bashes” that Diodato himself has a strong desire to bartend for. “I love these Saturday events because they have a bunch of different DJs and a bunch of different music going on, so it’s like an outdoor club scene.” He adds with a smile, “but not the late-night club scene, so it won’t be that crazy. It’ll be the 5-to-10 crowd, not the 10-to-2 crowd!”

For those who want some grub to go with their mixed drinks and beers, the food truck is mere steps away from the bar. Diodato recommends the nachos, made with “crock pot pulled pork and crock pot chicken … good cheese sauce, fresh veggies, salsa, sour cream, jalapenos … and chips made right in the food truck!”

Of course, one doesn’t have to stray very far away from the Harrisburg Beach Club’s front entranceway to experience even more fun: Water Golf on City Island, an 18-hole minigolf course, is only a hop away to the right, and FNB Field and its resident AA baseball team, the Harrisburg Senators, just a skip and a jump to the left.

Diodato’s Dossier

Words of advice to home mixologists: Taste test your cocktails. Mix a variety of different cordials with liquor and other mixers for different and fun cocktail concoctions.

Inspirations:

When I first started going out, I saw a bartender named Austin and he was very into his drinks and made them very efficiently, fast, creative, fun, and personable. He’s who inspired me to become a bartender.

Favorite spirit to mix: Tequila.

Recommendations of two or three spirits to try:

Bourbon is very popular, so I always recommend different bourbons. Rum mixes well with nearly anything, so that’s another recommendation as well.

Most Commonly ordered drinks at your bar:

Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, Martinis, Orange Crushes.

Your philosophy on drinks: My philosophy on making cocktails is not adding too many mixers. Some people enjoy or want more mixers/ juice. Typically, I pack my drinks with ice and use less mixers so as not to dilute the taste, that way customers can taste the alcohol and know it’s there.

Thoughts about your cocktails: I think my cocktails are great - strong, yet delicious.

What days/times do you typically work at the bar:

Tuesday - Friday / Saturday AM.

Recipe for August Drink of the month (or favorite drink to mix):

Orange Cream Crush

2 ounces Hidden Still vodka

3 ounces fresh OJ

.25 ounce vanilla

.5 ounce cream

Shake, strain over fresh ice with an orange garnish

Add an umbrella

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