Living in New Orleans allows me to explore the Gulf Coast throughout the year, and one of my favorite LGBTQ+ bars along the Mississippi Coast is SIPPS in Gulfport. Guests are warmly welcomed by my bartender of the month for August, Josh Molla, who provides exceptional service with a friendly smile. A Gulfport native, Josh joined the military in 2006 and later worked as a bartender in various locations, including New Orleans, Alaska, Colorado, Montana, and New York. He began his journey at SIPPS in 2024, expressing his enjoyment of the role and quickly becoming a beloved figure among the local patrons. He describes SIPPS as a safe haven for the gay community, where the supportive atmosphere created by the owners, coworkers, and customers makes him feel at home.
During my recent visit to SIPPS, I witnessed Josh’s expertise behind the bar as he crafted unique cocktails, particularly appealing to those who appreciate artisanal selections. His extensive experience has led him to develop signature drinks, such as the Strawberry Basil Lemonade, featuring homemade basil bitters, vodka, lemon juice, and a strawberry reduction, and the Sweet Heat Margarita, which combines jalapeño and cilantro-infused tequila with pineapple and lime juices for a refreshing kick. His latest creation, the Mango-lada, blends spiced rum, coconut rum, cream of coconut, mango puree, pineapple juice, and lime juice, which I can personally vouch for as being exceptionally delicious. Beyond his mixology skills, Josh prides himself on fostering a welcoming environment, ensuring that every guest feels comfortable and free from judgment. He values the opportunity to connect with patrons, offering not just drinks but also meaningful conversations and support, enhancing their overall experience at the bar.
He says, “I can recommend new cocktails that someone may have never tried and give them a little history lesson on the origins. I am also able to hear stories from so many people and get a small understanding of their lives. I love bartending at SIPPS because not only is it a fun atmosphere, but you can feel the connection between everyone when they are dancing and sharing laughs. The community bond here is strong and people from all walks of life come here to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community.”
Among the various events at SIPPS, one of the most entertaining is the monthly drunken spelling bee held at midnight. After a few drinks, patrons often struggle with spelling, leading to funny moments, especially when attempting to spell complex words like “existentialism” after several shots of Fireball. Additionally, when it comes to his personal cocktail preferences, Josh typically opts for a Jack and Coke during his nights out, appreciating its reliability. He takes pride in crafting Manhattans, enjoying the cocktail’s simplicity and the transformative effect of different bitters, as well as the reactions he gets when igniting the oils from an orange peel garnish.
However, one of Josh’s main frustrations as a bartender is when customers crowd the service well or obstruct the exit on busy nights, forcing him to repeat requests to clear the area multiple times. Beyond his bartending duties, Josh is passionate about extreme sports and the outdoors, engaging in activities like hiking, snowboarding, and solo primitive camping. He dreams of homesteading in Alaska in the future, having already experienced adventures such as climbing volcanoes, jumping out of airplanes, and exploring caves. For those interested in meeting this adventurous, fun-loving ex-Marine, he works at SIPPS from 3 PM to close on Fridays through Mondays, located at 2218 25th Ave, Gulfport, Mississippi.
