In this weeks episode of Riding in Bars with Boys we meet George McLean, long-time wrangler of booze. George owns JB & Sons (Both in Freshwater and Dee Why) with work husband, Paul Fraser and their veteran relationship bemoans many a night out and follow up Bloody Mary’s.
The original JB & Sons is a comely little bar located in the quiet seaside town of Freshwater on the Northern Beaches, where all the blonde, tanned people enjoy their slightly higher standards of living and Liberal politics. It’s a delicious dimly lit haunt where you can slip away from the salty arms of sobriety and into the warm embrace of finely chosen wine and beer.
If you happen to visit at the right time, which is anytime at all, you can spot JB, John “JB” “Papi” Burgess, himself most likely pouring his own beer behind the bar. Chat to him about his relations with the establishment and you won’t be disappointed.
Ivy, Hemingways, Earl’s Juke Joint, your dreams, all places you may have met George before, who from here on out would like to be referred to as the Full-time Party Connoisseur (story checks out because he doesn’t even take the quiet time for a chaser after his tequila shots. Animal).
Many people have great things to say about George, some of which are written on the cubicles in the girls toilets, but here’s some extra reasons you should go to JB&Sons and have a beer with the Full-time Party Connoisseur in person.
He’s Scottish
I feel the Scottish make life experiences extra better, it’s like when you get free samples at Coles or extra vodka in your VoSo*. The Scots are just better than you or I, and they’re responsible for whisky, impeccable gins like The Botanist or Hendricks, and also Sean Connery. Their accents take you on a sexy little get away and make you forget you ever had a 9-5 job and $2,000 worth of SDRO debts. Amirite? George is from Glasgow more specifically, and holds the same pausing wit that generally comes with being a Scot.
He loves summer and so do we
A bronzed glow makes everything sexier and George, with his long, lustrous Tresemme locks thinks so too.
“I’m a northern beaches guy. The place is incredible in summer. Everything is juicy and delicious and sun-kissed and happy and blooming. Everyone is stoked. The drinks taste better too. Cold beers, margaritas and daiquiris, rosé, gin & tonics. I’m really looking forward to this summer more than most as we will hopefully have two venues up and running. I can’t wait.”
He knows his stuff and is real nice about it
George has been around the industry, but also the world. He knows what’s up and the service, food and drinks, staff and even clientele reflect that strongly. He’s also so damn nice and unpretentious, which makes liking him easy, and don’t we all love a lovable bartender. Just watch him throw rogue compliments to other guys in the game below. Sickening.
“I admire people who are passionate about what they do. From a strictly hospitality point of view I’d say I really admire the gentlemen at Swillhouse, Jason & Anton. I’ve always loved what they do.”
On top of compliments, he loves to booze
George is a man after my own slightly hardened heart and takes me on a tropical trip to Hawaii with the Honolulu Lemon cocktail, which is fresher than Outkast themselves. Beyond making them, George won’t say no to a drink with mates.
“The first year at Shady Pines was some of the best boozing I’ve ever partaken in and Baxter is just fucking ridiculous, I love it. The execution of their venues and attention to detail is one thing but the culture they have built throughout their group is admirable, and enviable at the same time. Not only are their venues full of people enjoying themselves, their venues are run by amazing professionals. Their places are made tick by the legends who work in them. It’s one of those things that reflects really well on operators.”
They make a burger that tastes like a Big Mac
We all know the way to a customer’s heart is through their cheap, money for value, stomachs and JB & Sons have really nailed it on the frugal side of things. If I can have a $14 Big Mac without having to go to McDonald’s then you’ve sold me. But wait, there’s more because their burger tastes like a Big Mac only saucier and with bacon (drops mic). Head nod also goes to the First Drop ‘Half & Half’ Shiraz to which I more than half drank.
To find out more about George’s bartending skills, head to JB & Sons in Dee Why or Freshwater, or drop a comment in the cubicles.
SERVED ON THE NIGHT
- The Papi – Patty | Double Cheese | Smoked Bacon | Pickle | Iceberg | Tomato | Onion | Mustard | Aioli | Tomato Sauce
- Pulled Pork Taco – 24hr Hickory Smoked Pork | Pickled Slaw | Guacamole | Mayo
- Honolulu Lemon – Pampero | Fresh Orange | Fresh Pineapple
* Vodka Lime & Soda
JB & Sons Freshwater – Freshwater Village Plaza, 8/1-3 Moore Rd, Freshwater NSW 2096
JB & Sons Dee Why – 154-158 Pacific Parade, Dee Why NSW 2099
Looking to meet more bartenders or got one to throw in the MTP deep end? Leave a comment below.
Image credit: Daryl Kong
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