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Because Vertigo in Nyack treads that fine line between nightclub and local haunt, it might be a little hard to hear soft-spoken bartender Eric Calderon. This 24 year-old Bronx native doesn’t like to be in the spotlight, opting instead to serve simple drinks from beer to a vodka cranberry. He answers questions succinctly, sometimes in crass fashion and in quiet bursts.
He becomes chattier if you bring up a topic he likes. Eric will gush, at length, about the merits of the Bronx over not only Nyack, but also the rest of New York City. With particular articulation, he'll wax poetic about Nyack, analyze his coworkers and declare mojito-drinkers as sellouts.
In a recent interview with Metromix, he described the local scene, picked a drink for Sean Connery and warned about the dangers of drinking vodka.
Tell me about yourself.
Moved out (to Nyack) about 8 years ago. Recently moved back about 3 months ago. What made me move back was it was the simplest solution than moving to New York and paying $2400 when I pay a quarter of that for a three-bedroom, 1,400-square-foot, eight-closet, two-and-a-half bath apartment. And I enjoy the neighborhood. It’s gentrifying. It’s nice. It’s beautiful. And the Bronx is really the nicest borough. It’s got the most agriculture. It’s the greenest borough: The Bronx Zoo, Botanical Gardens, City Island, Orchard Beach — the coolest beach. I’m at (Rockland Community College) studying liberal arts, math and science.
What would you say is the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you at Vertigo?
There was a transvestite with a boner last night. The black Jew last night rapping was pretty interesting too: Y-Love. You ever hear of him? I never heard of him till like this week, but I asked about him. He’s with Matisyahu.
Ever gone home with a customer?
No. Someone wouldn’t do that. Put "that" in italics. (Ed. note: You're welcome!)
Who would be your favorite celebrity to serve and what would you serve?
Sean Connery. Vesper martini. Stirred, not shaken.
What does a girl or guy have to do to get a free drink out of you?
Let them figure it out.
What drink will you have that’ll get you to call a cab home?
Yeah, anything with vodka. I used to drink it a while ago, but now it doesn’t work well. It doesn’t work well.
What is the worst pick up line you’ve ever heard?
The worst pickup line I ever gave was, ‘Nice Shoes. Wanna f***?’
What made you get into bartending?
I needed the money. It kind of sucked me in.
And now you can’t get out. Ever see yourself starting a bar?
Maybe.
Are you a bar guy? Do you go out?
I go to Casa (del Sol), Luna (Lounge) and the Olde Village Inne. Go interview Eve (at Casa). You'll have a good time. (Ed. note: We did just that. Click here to learn all about Eve.)
Is there a drink that makes you cringe when it’s ordered?
A mojito I cringe at. I just hate them. I think you’re just obnoxious to order them. If you drink mojitos, you should be shot.
Have you had any ridiculous or insane customers?
This is the Mecca of weird and wacky. This is the most eccentric town of the Hudson River. I think it’s pretty intense as far as people’s personalities go. We have a few older customers who come in and dance among the 20-year-olds and scare people away.
What’s your secret cure to a hangover?
Keep drinking. If you don’t stop drinking, you won’t get a hangover.
Even days later?
The only way you don’t get a hangover is if you don’t stop drinking.
Otherwise you pay.
Yeah.
What's the worst fake ID you've seen?
We really don’t get fake IDs anymore. It’s more like your older brother or older sister’s ID, that your older brother is 6’1” you’re 5’5”. They’re not really bad fakes. There was one night where I was outside and a couple kids got caught with that and this girl had crystal clear blue eyes, like you’re looking at blue eyes. You’re looking at an ocean of color and the license said brown eyes, brown hair.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Nothing. Pretty much an open book.
Do you have a signature drink?
Shot and a beer. No, not really. Grey Goose Pear and Cranberry. That’s it.
What is most unique about bartending at Vertigo?
My coworkers. They’re very dramatic. Overly dramatic. Overly sensitive. Fragile. Emotional. Women. That’s it. No, they’re nice. Everyone’s nice. One big dysfunctional family. We’re all okay. No, I’m just kidding. No, they’re cute.
What's your relationship status?
Not single.
