If you have a habit of grabbing a drink in the Bottom, chances are you’ve come across Camille Kostin before. If you haven’t, let me start off by explaining that despite all the bartender interviews I’ve handled for River City Magazine, I’ve never had multiple employers contact me with testimonials vouching for the bartender in question. As a result, it’s fairly easy to conclude Camille is quite the commodity on the Richmond bar scene, so it was only fitting that River City Magazine sit down to have a few words with Camille!

RC: As always, how long have you been bartending?
CK: Well, I started when I was 21 so about four and a half years now.

RC: Aside from The Lucky Buddha and Cha Cha’s Cantina, where else have you worked in Richmond?
CK: I started out at Stool Pigeons, moved over to Black Finn where I stayed for a couple years and then I made my way over to Lucky Buddha/Cha Cha’s!

RC: I always have to ask: how’d you get into bartending?
CK: I was a waitress before, and I always thought that bartending looked like so much fun. Plus, bartenders always made a lot more money than I did! I’ve always loved the nightlife scene, the “party scene,” so as soon as I turned 21, I got behind the bar.

RC: What’s your favorite part of your job?
CK: That’s tough! I love being a bartender. I love my co-workers, my customers; I love everything about my job. As a bartender, I definitely work hard for my money, but I love what I do!

RC: Then what’s your least favorite – if there is such a thing?
CK: Oh, there is – amateur customers are the worst. Rude, demanding customers who have poor bar etiquette. It’s the only part of the job I dislike.

RC: Well, then educate us – what’s a good customer?
CK: A good customer doesn’t order five shooters for five people! (Laughs) A great customer is polite, decisive and a good tipper. The more decisive you are, the faster I am. And if you tip well, I’ll remember you and make sure you get taken care of!

RC: Where would we find Camille Kostin on a night out?
CK: Well, oddly enough, I love coming to Lucky Buddha and Cha Cha’s…but if I want a change of scenery, I head to the Fan. I love Sidewalk, Delux and I’ve been on a Friend or Pho kick as of late.

RC: So what’s Camille Kostin’s featured drink?
CK: It’s called “The Camel Toe,” and it’s dragon berry vodka, peach schnapps and a bit of grenadine, red bull and orange juice!

RC: Is this your own personal drink of choice when you’re out?
CK: Oh no, I’m more likely to have a shot of Jameson and a glass of water…

Her Signature:
The Camel Toe
1 and ¼ oz. of Dragon Berry Vodka
¼ oz. of Peach Schnapps
Splash of: Grenadine, Red Bull, and OJ