The competition is heating up at Big Al’s Sports Bar and Grill, out on Cox Road, across from Innsbrook, and I’m not talking about just that on the 16 or so big screen TVs.

I’m talking about the competition amongst a couple of Al’s bartenders. Admittedly, the competition is good-natured, but it’s nonetheless real. Katie Nicholas and Brian Kennon are both great bartenders. True, Katie is much more attractive, but, I guess that’s just one man’s opinion.

Both are personable, professional, and talented. But I wondered what would happen if I stirred up a little completion. If they went head to head, would there be a clear-cut champion? This is where you come in (to Big Al’s). We need you to pick a winner. The brief bios below may help, but you’re probably going to have to pay ‘em a visit at Big Al’s. Get to know them a little better. Then you can vote for your favorite of the two. (See info below as to how you can vote)

First, though, here’s a little info to help you make your decision.

LET THE COMPETITION BEGIN!
We’ve set up special Facebook pages for each. Click here and enter LIKE for your choice on the form provided on that page. The winner gets a night on town.

MEET BRIAN KENNON
I suspected Brian may have some dark, ugly secrets. So, using my cleverly-honed interrogation skills, I got him to break down and make a painful confession. “It’s a secret,” the Charlottesville native, and avid Cavaliers fan, shamefully admits, “even my parents don’t know about.”

Brian looks around to make sure no one is eavesdropping, and after assuring him that I will never reveal his secret, he begins to whisper, “When the Hokies are playing on TV, here, I root for them. I celebrate their victories. I even ring the bell when they score.” Both of Brian’s parents are UVA alumni, so it’s obvious why he’s hidden this horrible truth for so many years. But, if that’s not enough, he goes on to tell me why he does this. “It’s good for business. It’s good for Big Al’s. It’s good for tips.” Yes, he does it for the crass commercial gain. But, I’m not making any judgments, you understand.

Brian, whose favorite sport is lacrosse (he’s played, coached, and refereed), has been married for 18 years and has a 16 year-old daughter and a 14 year-old son. Besides his love for sports, he has a passion for cooking and teaches a culinary arts course at the University of Richmond.

“That’s what so great about working at Big Al’s,” he says. “It has food. It has sports. I get the best of both worlds.”

MEET KATIE NICHOLAS
Katie, on the other hand, appears to have no dark secrets. I’m guessing she’s as pure as the driven snow, so it comes as no surprise to learn that by weekend, she’s serving up refreshing adult beverages behind Big Al’s bar, and by weekday, she’s a first grade school teacher at Chalkley Elementary School, in Chesterfield County. “It’s not that unusual for a schoolteacher to moonlight,” she says.

That’s true, but as a bartender?
“There’s not a lot of difference,” she laughs. “In both jobs, you’re babysitting.”

Katie’s sport of choice is softball. “I’ve been playing for 22 years,” she says. “I also love camping, hiking, and listening to music.” Actually, she can enjoy them all simultaneously, as her husband is a professional musician. He plays with the local band, The Rift.

I don’t get a chance to speak with Katie any further. After a few moments, she excuses herself. “I have to get home and grade test papers,” she says.