Today & Tonight Magazine October 2022

SAM GRIMES

LEO'S LIVE (A.K.A. YBOR CIGARS & SPIRITS)

5263 S Florida Ave • Lakeland

Sam Grimes 6th Place for "Polk's Beloved Bartenders 2022"

Photo by Chris Douglas

How many years you have worked as a bartender? 8 years.

How long have you worked for this company? 5 years.

What is the secret to your success as a bartender? I have an insane memory when it comes to drink recipes and what a customer’s usual drink is. Ask me the name of said customer though and I’ll draw a blank. I’m pretty good at math too so that helps. I also Always smile, I swear.

Do you feel that we are back on track with the hospitality industry after coming out of the ‘dome and gloom’ of COVID-19? Mostly, I guess. There’s still some days where I’ll go through a whole bottle of hand sanitizer if someone appears sick near me but that’s a me problem.

Have you been able to take any trips over the last year? Where and what did it mean to be able to travel again? Most trips I take are to go to a rock/metal concerts or festivals, so it felt good to do that again but then again I’m a bartender who works weekends on top of weeknight shifts so it’s a rarity. When I did get to go though, it meant that I could clear my head and get a break from the ‘lemon drops’ I constantly have to make so that was nice.

Where is the one place in the world you want to visit? Scotland for the rain and castles. Also, Alaska for the scarcity of people and the cold. I want to go when its constantly night because I am a creature of the night...my lack of tan proves that.

On a desert island, what 5 things can you NOT live without? My phone for my playlists I have on there, a scrunchie because there is no way I’m dealing with my hair while stranded, my eyebrow pencil because when I get rescued there’s NO way I’m getting picked up without those drawn on, both knee braces cause that sand is gonna do some damage, my special pen.

If you weren’t a bartender, what would your profession be? Party planning most likely, I throw some killer parties.

What is your favorite food? And why? Sushi and pasta, not together obviously. Sushi is amazing (Tsunami Sushi is the best) and pasta because it’s pasta... Chinese food is good too. And tacos. Oh, and carrots, I loveee carrots.

Do you have a passion project or non-profit that you admire or are involved with? And why? I threw a metal benefit a few years ago for a regular who was battling cancer. I want to start doing more of those types of benefits to help people with their medical bills. It hits close to home, and I’ve seen the damage it can do not just physically, but emotionally and financially as well so to help someone in any way I can and bring my love for metal into it is something I am passionate about.

What’s your zodiac sign? Is your personality type defined by this character? Aries. Looking up the traits I can see how I can be one except the optimistic part. I’m more of a realist than that but everything else seems pretty accurate.

Do you believe in psychics? Have you ever had a reading? If so, what was the takeaway? I don’t typically like to talk about what I believe in because there is a lot of uncertainty... but sure maybe? I had a reading done once and it was trippy. It was a message from heaven reading but I’d rather not talk about it cause I’ll cry and I just got ready for work tonight, makeup is expensive and I don’t wanna do it again.

As a child, what was your favorite Halloween Costume? What was your fondest memory of Trick or Treating? Ehhhhh I don’t remember much from that time but I’ve seen pictures. I always seemed to dress up as a witch, devil or vampire, something along those lines. I do remember my siblings and I having this swap party with candy and I pretty much just made them give me whatever my favorite candy was and I’d trade them my candy corn or whatever other gross candy I had in my bag. Sorry about that guys but I was the oldest so...

What was your favorite Halloween Candy to receive as a child? How about now as an adult? Probably Reese’s or Turtles back then. Now I just eat whatever candy my 7 year old tells me to try because “it’s soooo good and I have to buy more!”

Do you still like to dress up for Halloween? What’s your favorite costume? Yeah, I dress up for our bar’s Halloween costume party. I really enjoyed dressing up as Beetlejuice because I got to wear these striped overalls that were comfy.

Queen Elizabeth II just passed away. And a beautiful ceremony was held in her honor. When you pass, how and what do you want to be remembered for? I don’t want a funeral or to be buried. Turn me to ash and scatter me wherever. Throw a party with Jell-O shots and an open bar while blasting metal music. I want to be remembered for my dazzling personality and charming smile. Also want to be remembered for being an awesome mom who raised the best kid.

What’s your “spirit animal”? And why. A bat. They like the dark, creepy but kind of cute, misunderstood because really, they are just adorable sky puppies. Plus, they are associated with vampires and who doesn’t want to be associated with them besides werewolves?

Apple Cider Sangria

Photo by Chris Douglas

What’s your favorite Fall-flavored or Halloween inspired cocktail? And, what’s your signature cocktail? Anything with caramel in it has my heart. My signature cocktail is gonna be an Apple Cider Sangria again because it was really good, and I want to make them for my shift drink at the end of the night. Come check out our shot specials we’ll have during October too that will be scary good!

Is there anything you would like to add? We’d love to know more about you! Thanks again to everyone who voted for me! Ya’ll are the best customers out there even when you do accidentally order a “coke and Captain” or a “Tito’s and vodka”. Still got love for you! Ybor/Leo’s has been the best bar to work at with the live music and family atmosphere between the bartenders and regulars. I’m lucky to be here for sure.

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