Bartenders
Always ready with a smile, a story and a killer cocktail, meet the ladies that mix it up and pour the finest drinks at the best girl bar in town. Don't believe us? Come in and see for yourself.
Madison S.
Hello everyone new and old to the RF scene… and everyone I haven’t met yet! I was born and raised right here in the New York area and I have been tending bar here at RF Lounge since opening night September 26, 2009.
I am a wild character and I love to laugh and have fun. Most of the time you can see me behind the bar dancing (doesn't matter if I'm by myself) or telling some sort of story to entertain my guests. I enjoy watching people have a good time no matter what. When you come to RF and see me behind the bar you will see an inviting SMILE and feel immediately at home. I want you to laugh and feel relaxed and enjoy great drinks while you are here.
As wild as I am, I also am very passionate about a lot of other things besides having a good time and making sure others have a great time. Right now I am in school studying criminal justice for juvenile delinquency at Monroe College. Ultimately my goal is to become a child psychologist for juvenile delinquents and open a community center and/or organize a program catering to kids, preteens and teens that grew up in situations similar to my own childhood.
I think the new space at RF Lounge is very sexy and intimate, and at the same time it is a place where friends with no strings attached can vibe and just loosen up. The energy in here is contagious. Peace to all that come into RF Lounge. Those of you that I have met and those of you I haven't met – can't wait to chop it up wit ya either way...
Hollybeth Plowman Aka DJ HollaBack
was born and raised in Boston and I attended Framingham State College for Visual Arts, majoring in Television Broadcasting. I would love to pursue a career as a TV personality someday. I’ve been living in NYC for 6 years and loving it! I’ve been a bartender for a little over 10 years and I’ve been at RF since November 2009. On top of bartending I also DJ; I’ve spun at Stonewall, RF, Stiletto, Nation, and more…
Everyone knows how to make a drink; it’s a great personality that makes you a great bartender. My specialty as a bartender is that I both cure the hangover and I give the hangover… your drink will never be empty with me behind the bar. Bloody Mary’s and Margarita’s are my favorite drinks to make; water with lemon is my least favorite thing to serve. My biggest pet-peeve as a bartender? When people ask for free stuff, and they are serious!
I love the new RF space, it is very sleek and very sexy. I love meeting new people everyday, so come in and visit me. You only live once, so live it up!
Lisa Lovaglio
I'm originally from Long Island, and I came into the city when I was 18 to pursue a career in film production. I received my bachelor’s degree from Pace University, and I haven't left the city since.
I’ve been here at RF since opening night in September 2009. While I’m here tending bar you can expect a good time at the Lounge with great music and fun people. My favorite drink to serve is a Corona with lime and my least favorite drink to serve is a Mojito. My biggest pet-peeve as a bartender? Running out of limes.
Visit me here at RF and I can promise a great evening with great friends!
Salvatore
I am 23 year old Italian guy from Whitestone, Queens. I speak Italian and Sicilian fluently and I'm currently working on my Spanish. I attend school at Lehman College and I am working on my degree in Marketing and Business Administration. I grew up in Queens and I have been in love with Manhattan since I was in a stroller. I started bartending when I was 18. My older sister was a bartender, and since I always want to do what she does, I tried it out and I absolutely love it!
I have been here at RF Lounge since November 2009. When I am behind the bar my guests will definitely smile, laugh and enjoy themselves. RF’s renovation looks great – it’s trendy, modern and it’s the new hot spot to be at in the West Village.
My favorite drinks to mix are Martini’s and my least favorite drink to make is a Long Island Ice Tea. I think they taste bad and people just drink them to get drunk. My biggest pet-peeve is a dirty bar. I'm constantly cleaning and wiping the bar because I like everything clean so my customers can enjoy their evening.
I think that to be a good bartender you have to have good listening skills; it’s a little bit like being a therapist. And of course it’s a great way to make good friends!
Anita
What can I say about myself?? I am a spunky person who is friendly and has a lot of energy. I absolutely love my job – bartending. I have been with my friends at RF Lounge since the beginning, and it is fantastic here! I love the new space, it is absolutely chic.
When you have a seat at my bar you can expect pleasantry and attention to every detail. My favorite drink to serve is a cosmopolitan: they’re pretty and pink. My least favorite drink to serve is a long island ice tea: they’re ugly and taste bad. My biggest pet peeve as a bartender would be those annoying little napkin ball people leave all over the bar, ugh!!
I have to say that in the midst of all of the chaos during the evening bartenders often come across as cocky and unapproachable. Really though – we love people. I love people, I love my job and I love you NYC. Stop by and talk to me!
Veronica
Veronica is the most recent addition to RF Lounge team. It is truly a dream come true for her to be "cast" at such a fantastic venue. With the Rainbow flag waving proud in front and the beautiful newly renovated space, it is a breath of fresh air when entering the lounge. Veronica will always be greet you with a genuine welcome and a huge smile as she serves up your favorite drink. She loves making margaritas, martinis, long islands, and SHOTS, as the whole point of drinking is to feel it. Don't ask her for a cubra libre though, she may ask for a naughty dance from you!
Veronica Alejandra was born in Santiago, Chile. Adopted at the age of 7 she grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin where she went to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for BFA Acting, and where she began her bartending talents at a local college club called Bruisers. She moved to New York 7 years ago to pursue her love of acting. After 2 years of attending the Actor's Conservatory at the Actor's Center and a summer intensive of the Stanislavsky Method at Columbia University she dove head first into Film and Television and has been actively involved ever since. During her time off shooting films and t.v. shows, she loves to play soccer, go to movies, sing kareoke, attend Broadway shows, hug her kittie cats, and support her bartender friends at their bars & events.
Vero's biggest peeves are a dirty bar, angry or demanding customers, and bad drunks. Her favorite thing while tending bar is to make strangers friends, you will never feel isolated or alone while she's in charge, entering a bar alone takes will power, and being family and friends is what Real Friends Lounge is all about!
Marisa
Hey, hey, hey!!! I’m new to the RF scene, come and introduce yourself… I’ve been in the New York area for just over a year and loving it. I’m entirely too energetic, enjoy a good laugh and a good time. You’ll almost never catch me without a smile.
Outside of RF I freelance edit (books, newspapers, magazines, proposals, you name it). I have a BA in non-fiction writing and editing; as well as, a minor in women and gender studies--- but really… talk to me, I’m not as boring as all that sounds, and I don’t incorporate the editing principles into my life (but still love to talk about it) ;) Behind the bar, I’m usually dancing or talking with my guests. As a manager at RF Lounge I see it my as my privilege to assure that everyone in the door leaves happy (whether from the buzz of the crowd orf the alcohol).
My favorite drink to serve is “Black Label neat” ordered with a smile! It only opens doors for great conversations and new whiskey knowledge. My least favorite to make is anything muddled. I don’t like muddled conversation, muddled thoughts or muddled drinks. My biggest pet peeve would have to be when someone says “you took my drink,” and there was only a sip left. As a fellow connoisseur of alcohol, I would never take a drink that looked like anything but melted ice. I love hearing stories and meeting new people! My favorite thing about bartending is being able to set off the energy and make sure everyone keeps the party and the dancing happening!
The new space at RF is simply HOT, upstairs and down; so ladies, don’t be afraid to go down…
