I returned to Gulfport for another fabulous event at SIPPS and, behold, I found another Bartender of the Month there–they do know how to pick wonderful staff!
My bartender spotlight to start of 2025 is Kyle Simmons who is a Gulfport native. He has worked at SIPPS for seven years making the move from a totally different industry beforehand where he worked as Assistant Manager at Lowe’s.
Kyle is a triple threat behind the bar – professional, knowledgeable and fast. This gentleman knows how to make a drink. His mixology skills are incredible and the speed with which he can make a delicious craft cocktail is impressive.
When you are working at a busy bar, being able to make good drinks is not enough. You need to hone your skills so you can make those drinks correctly and quickly. If people get backed up and cannot get drinks, you end up losing out on tips (they go to another bartender) or worse (they go to another bar). He made several delectable drinks for me when I was there (his espresso martinis are lovely).
He has a large repertoire of cocktails and shots that he’s created. Some of his most popular drinks/shots would be the Sweet Seduction (Malibu, Captain Morgan, banana schnapps, watermelon schnapps, pineapple juice, orange juice, with a drizzle of grenadine); Sip-N-Slide(Raspberry vodka, Razzmatazz, Lemon juice, Sour, splash of sprite) and Cherry Refresher (Muddled cherries, cherry vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, splash of Sprite with crushed ice.)
He makes amazing drinks, but when out, he drinks a Truly or raspberry vodka and Sprite if it is in a casual setting or, for a fancy night out, he likes shots of 1800 coconut neat with a bottled water back.
In addition to his skills as a bartender, Kyle says one of his best assets is his smile. “If someone comes into my bar without a smile I give them mine,” he explains. What a great quote! Sometimes, just by keeping a smile on his face when having to correct or explain situations to customers, smooths things over and it is received better, he says. His smile is not only his best asset, although it does light up the room and puts people at ease immediately; his charm, wit and overall good-natured personality are also part of the package. Being a hottie, does add to his curb appeal.
Bartending is not just a job for Kyle, it is a skill he has crafted over the years. “As a people person, I enjoy being a bartender. I enjoy talking to and listening to them and when I am able, share my advice to help them. I might go to the same place almost everyday to work but my day is never the same. I never know who I’m going to see or what situation may arise. I get to do something I love by making craft cocktails while seeing people that are regulars and have become family. I enjoy SIPPS so much because we are not just a part of a big corporation; the Mayeux’s listen and care for us. At the end of the day, owners and staff have one goal in mind and that is creating a safe and fun place for our community.”
On that note, the craziest/funniest thing he has seen as a bartender was “when a customer called me on the bar phone asking for a manager. At the time, I was manager on duty so I asked how I could help. They stated they had gotten drunk and left in an Uber and got home but forgot they had left their 6 year old child in the car in the parking lot. I asked him to repeat himself, which he did, saying the same story over and freaking me out. I asked what kind of car they drove. They told me, so I rushed out of the bar to go check. I found the vehicle but, thank god, there was no child inside. So I chalked it up to being a prank call but it was definitely a crazy situation.”
Kyle’s biggest pet peeve as a bartender is when a customer walks up to the bar when it’s busy and says surprise me. “I would like to have a starting point such as do you like beer, wine, vodka, rum, gin, tequila, or whiskey. Something sweet or something sour. I don’t mind coming up with something, just give me a beginning point of reference.”
Some unique points of interest about Kyle is he has a DVD collection of over 2,300 and he enjoys woodworking, refinishing furniture, and remodeling houses on the side. His family has owned bars on and off his entire life, so bartending is in his blood. He also has a degree in interior design and business management.
Kyle also is an entrepreneur with the start of his new business Libation Station. His bartending company prides itself on creativity, dedication, and the personalized touch for your event. Whether it’s carefully crafted cocktails, delightful mocktails, or a commitment to exceptional service, they guarantee your guests will be talking about your event long after. Elevate your event with Libation Station. They bring the bar and you bring the party. They stir up fun, shake up memories, and toast to the good times. Libation Station offers a fully customized package that tailors the bar experience to your needs, ensuring your event is nothing short of impressive.
When you go to Gulfport, you must visit SIPPS, one of the best gay bars on the Gulf Coast. And while you are there, let Kyle make you a Sweet Seduction. His normal shifts are Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. SIPPS is located at 2218 25th Avenue in Gulfport, Mississippi.
