Old Schoolin’ with Sean Devlin

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By Chris Murphy

Old Schoolin’ with Sean Devlin

One of the bartending badges of honor is to have long time famous bartender Harry Broumas give you the thumbs up and be a regular at your bar. Tradition is in vogue and in this crazy economy and world; the vintage black and white vibes of Bennett, Dino, Como, Elvis and Chairman of the Board Sinatra are more welcoming and comfortable than ever. So as I settle up to the bar at the Boardroom, we hang out with Sean Devlin.

Sean loves the tradition of the old-school drinks, the classicness, the taste, the style. Don’t think for one second that Sean can’t make the newest and trendiest of drinks and even those he invents like the “Tree-Smacker”, but there is something special about the drinks of the 40s, 50s and 60s like the Old Fashioned and the Manhattan. They are served up in style at the Boardroom in downtown Modesto.

Sean moved to Modesto in 1989 after growing up in Cupertino. He was part of a huge family and has over 60 1^st cousins! He loved working in a restaurant, being around people and began as a busser at Mallards. When he was old enough he became a bar back and was trained by “Uncle” Harry, Paul Miranda and Pedro XXXXX. He learned from Dan Costa, who taught him that there is “always something to do” and knew to succeed, he had to hustle. Sean trained and learned the skills and the traditions of the legendary drinks. Plus, he had a girlfriend whose dad loved a good Manhattan, so he knew what he had to do. After stints at Chili’s and as a regional bar trainer for BJ’s, travelling all the time, he knew he had to get back to behind the bar and connected with Boardroom and P. Wexford’s owner Roman Wagner.

Sean is all about the guest, all about the conversation and the experience. Watching him work the long bar at the Boardroom, his skills are amazing. Manhattan, Cosmo, Mojito, Old Fashioned, G&T and everything, are all shaken firmly and precision poured. Sean will put his Cosmo up against anything out there. He enjoys his friends, the beautiful women, every newcomer and of course his regulars like Uncle Harry. Sean loves hearing the old Graffiti Cruising stories and the classic cruisers tell him that George Lucas nailed it and captured just what is was like in 1962. When asked Beatles or Stones: he was all Beatles. The melodies, the mellow beauty and he had just been listening to While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Yes, the classics are back and the Boardroom with Sean behind the bar will deliver your vintage vibe.