Submitted by Melissa Howsam — Correspondent
This week check out Laurabelle Sacrinty — this spy-story addict and board-game buff may bleed Tar Heel blue, but her lifeblood — and love — is behind the bar in Durham. A self-described spray-tanned, playful, pearl-wearing quirkster, with an innocent face and the mouth of a sailor — this crafty cocktail connoisseur and bar manager is a labor-loving “Girl Friday” of mod Bull City hot spot Watts Grocery. And when she’s not concocting the latest and greatest seasonal sips menu — her skills a tribute to the talented tutelage of great mentor and friend, Watts’ owner Amy — this sweet and silly Southern Belle will happily take you down in Scattergories, Catch Phrase, Scrabble or even Bananagrams. Seriously, she always wins, which is also a score for Watts, and their loyal libation-loving locals.
Hometown: Randleman, North Carolina. (Home of Richard Petty, woot woot)!!
One word coworkers use to describe you: Southern.
Your favorite libation: The sweet, sweet nectar of Tennessee — Bourbon.
Drink you hate to make: Mojitos when I’m busy, Bloody Marys when it’s not brunch!
If you had to, which of your coworkers would you trip and why? So, I’ve read other answers to this question, and they all say no one! But I would totally trip Sam, and he knows why! In fact, I’m gonna do it tonight…
If they made a movie about your life, who would play your best friend? No idea, but I hope the cast would include Zach Galifianakis and vampires.
In my car, my stereo is tuned to: NPR, G105 or a CD.
A song you never skip on your iPod: Anything by Dessa.
Movie you’ve watched over and over: “Steel Magnolias” or “The Hangover.”
Favortie sports team, college or pro: UNC.
Lohan – will there be a comeback? Don’t care.
Beer – domestics or imports: Domestics, preferably local microbrews.
Fictional character with whom you most identify: Lazy Jane, from Shel Silverstein’s “Lazy Jane.”
Favorite ’80s catchphrase: “Whatchu talkin’ ‘bout Willis?”
If you turn on my TV, it’s on: E! or HBO.
Bigger douche: Tiger Woods or Mel Gibson? Dude, totally Mel!!! Poor Tiger has an addiction. (smiley wink). (Please note emoticon; I don’t sympathize with adulterous pro golfers)!
You sometimes get mistaken for: This girl named Sarah in Chapel Hill.
Your celeb crush: Alexander Skarsgard, as long as he stays in his Eric character.
People should know you: I am super clumsy and an accidental arsonist.
One thing you refuse to do under any circumstances: Eat raw celery.
Pet peeve: Lack of manners.
Most random thing you've been asked to do while bartending? Cut up a grown woman’s steak for her! I mean, come on!
What one thing do you wish you could tell people about patronizing any bar? That your drink order is not the answer to “Hi! How are you?”
A bartender's best friend is: My regulars! They make me look forward to working.
People drink too much: Energy drinks — blech!
People don't drink enough: Agreed, come see me at Watts, and I’ll fix that. [smiles]
Drink for a cool fall night: Blanton’s [Single Barrel Bourbon] neat. It’ll warm you right up.
If you're not at work, you're most likely: Sleeping, spray-tanning or having game night with the girls.
Best thing about drinking in the Triangle: Knowing everybody!
Worst thing about drinking in the Triangle: Knowing everybody!
Favorite bar in the Triangle other than your own: Toss up between Whiskey and Bull McCabe’s, or The Crunkleton in Chapel Hill.
