BarView By Kate Serpa
I consider my dear friend Samantha to be a champion drinker. I don’t flatter myself when I say that I can hold my own better than most, but I’d have to have a sick death-wish to ever put myself up against Samantha in a shot contest. She would shut me down instantly a la intro to Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark. No matter the quantity or how late into the night/morning it may be, girl will still be standing and trying to persuade me into having ‘just one more.’ Best part is, she’s an excellent drinking buddy and won’t ever get drunk-weepy-girl on me. So when Samantha, my favorite Modesto drinking partner, told me I had to go to this fantastic dive which dished out even more fantastic cocktails, there was not a shred of doubt in my mind that she was speaking true.
So with my good faith in her drinking-hole judgment (because I’m an old lady set in my ways and have a hard time going to new bars), off we went for Thirsty Thursdays at Manny’s Cocktails.
Stephanne Rumbaugh, our lovely January featured bartender extraordinaire, was managing thirsty Thursday like a pro. Instead of ordering something specific, Samantha gave a ‘surprise me’ line which resulted in Stephanne making us both one of her secret-signature tri-colored, fruity, fantastic cocktails called the Rocket Pop. As a person who limits her girly-drinks exclusively to Minnie’s Jerks, I was blown away with how damn good the drink was. Every drink Samantha and I ordered with the ‘surprise me’ line that night (never fear, we thankfully had a D.D.) was unique, fantastic, and surprisingly colorful; and with fun drink names like the Captain’s Dessert, the Horny Housewife, the Sipper, Hawaiian Delight, to name a few, who would be surprised?
This is, amazingly, Stephanne Rumbaugh’s first bartending gig. Armed with a deadly combination of innovation, knowledge, her bar-back Rico, and some mean-ass eyeliner, Stephanne has been pouring out fantastic drinks at Manny’s for the past eight years. When asked how she comes up with all of her original concoctions, she stated: “A lot of female customers didn’t want the taste of alcohol in their drinks, but wanted the strength. I’m the same way, so I make drinks that I would want to drink” The result is absolutely delicious and I’ve rarely seen so many grown men walking around with such colorful drinks, because those drinks are that delectable.
The muraled corner bar has been around for ‘forever’ and was originally a pizza joint by the same name. Inside you’ll find two pool tables, darts, a healthy sprinkling of TVs, a scratcher machine, a well-endowed bar, and an ominous black telephone that only accepts incoming calls.
Needless to say, Samantha and I had an excellent time at Manny’s and, I’ll admit it, have been back three times this past week. The bartenders are fantastic, the patrons are fun, and Stephanne’s drinks are freaking amazing. This no-frills all-fun establishment is now my new favorite, thus earning Samantha a healthy high-five for introducing me to Manny’s.
Manny’s Cocktails 420 Paradise Road 209.577.4427 Open 6 am- 2 am Monday- $5 all-you-can-drink during the game, food at halftime Thursday- Thirsty Thursdays $3 anything 6-9 Friday and Saturday- DJ Carlos and dancing, $3 anything 8-9
Drinkrecipe
AMF (with a Stephanne-twist) Combine equal parts of: -Vodka -Gin -Rum -Tequila -Sweet and sour -Pineapple juice -Raspberry Puree -Blend the hell out of it until it’s a lovely lavender shade -Top it with whipped cream if you please And pace yourself on this one kids. It’s delicious but should not be overdone. I’m not speaking from experience here….
