As 2025 draws to a close, I wish to express my gratitude to all the bartenders who have brightened my life during this challenging year. You have provided more than just beverages; I am profoundly thankful for that, as we certainly needed cocktails to help us navigate through a tumultuous year marked by attempts to strip away our rights. Bartenders serve a far more vital function in our community. They lend an ear to our troubles, offer valuable insights, bring laughter into our lives, and occasionally assist us in forgetting our worries.
My bartender for December is a wonderful individual I encountered at the Friendly Bar. Pamela Henshaw enlivens this charming neighborhood establishment with her cheerful demeanor and clever repartee. Born and raised in Michigan, she spent the first 50 years of her life there. In the spring of 2005, she visited New Orleans for the first time and instantly fell in love with the city, knowing that one day it would become her home.
Having been at the Friendly Bar for eight years now, she truly cherishes its close-knit community. Before embarking on this bold new career path, she dedicated 30 years to being a Special Education teacher. She candidly admits that she much prefers bartending.
Pamela brings her lively spirit to the bar, engaging with customers in a charming and professional manner. She believes her greatest asset behind the bar is her personality. “I am a people person and enjoy making everyone feel welcome. It comes naturally because that is the atmosphere at The Friendly, and I cherish that about our small community.”
She elaborates on the Friendly Bar, stating, “I cannot envision myself anywhere other than the Friendly. I adore this bar because it is more than just a bar; it is a community. I appreciate our diversity and our patrons. This place has become my family.”
Additionally, she is skilled at crafting excellent cocktails. The Friendly Bar is famous for its Saints Touchdown Pudding shots, and while she did not originate the shot, she has enhanced it with additional flavors and various liquors. She even receives requests from patrons to prepare a batch for their private events.
Her preferred drink varies depending on her location. If she finds a delightful drink somewhere, that becomes her choice when she is there. Her favorite is a Ketel One Martini Dirty. She mentions, “When I prepare them, I ask people to specify their level of dirty; PG 13, R, X, Pornhub, or P Diddy baby oil party dirty. People always find it amusing, but it assists me in making the martini to their liking.”
Pamela’s response to the inquiry regarding the most amusing or bizarre experience she has encountered while working as a bartender was distinctly reflective of New Orleans culture. “At the Friendly, we witness a variety of occurrences, and what may appear outrageous to many is quite commonplace for us. One particular day that remains memorable is the recent snowstorm. We chose to remain open because we are a neighborhood bar, believing our locals would appreciate the opportunity to gather and discuss the snow, similar to how we do during hurricanes. News spread through social media that we were open, and EVERYONE made the trek through the snow to join us. We engaged in snowball fights, held snow angel competitions, had snowmen perched on the bar, and even went sledding… it was an absolute blast. Coming from Michigan, snow was not unfamiliar to me, but it was a wonderful day, and I cherished watching everyone revel in the experience.”
As a frequent customer at many bars, I want to understand the pet peeves of bartenders, and when I asked Pamela, I received yet another quintessentially New Orleans response. “My greatest annoyance while bartending is when individuals enter our small dive bar community and presume they are more significant than our regular patrons. I do not care about your income, your profession, or your connections; do not show disrespect to a part of my family. Ever.” New Orleanians are fiercely protective of their own.
There are additional interesting facts about Pamela that have further integrated her into our culture and community. She served as a firefighter for six years, a role she thoroughly enjoyed, and also worked as an EMT Specialist/medic. Her love for animals is evident as she has rescued two pit bulls. Additionally, she enjoys traveling and has recently returned from an Alaskan cruise. Like me, her favorite color is purple. Most importantly, she participates in the Carnival krewes ALLA and King Arthur.
You can find Pamela during her regular shifts on Tuesdays and Sundays during the day. “However, you will also see me at most busy events, as I am frequently in and out throughout the day due to my role as the manager of the Friendly Bar,” she adds. The Friendly Bar is situated at 2301 Charters Street in the Faubourg Marigny.
