Cocktails, Chaos & Real Life

Serving Las Vegas stories — on and off the Strip.
By Julie Unger

If you read my first column, then you already know — I’m born and raised in Las Vegas and have spent the last 20 years working as a cocktail server on the Strip.

So now we can get into what really matters: the things guests say that absolutely do not

make sense. Because if there’s one thing Las Vegas guarantees, it’s this — people are going to people. And that brings me to what might become my favorite part of this column…

Things Guests Say That Don’t Make Sense

Let’s start with a classic.

I walk up to a group, cocktail tray balanced, ready to go. “Hi! What can I get you?” And one of them looks at me — completely serious — and says: “I’ll take something strong… but I don’t want to taste the alcohol.”

Okay. So what we’re looking for is… invisible liquor? A personality trait? A miracle? Because here’s the thing — and I say this with love — “strong” and “not tasting it” are in direct opposition. That’s not a drink order. That’s a life goal.

Now, professionally, I smile. I guide them toward something that makes sense. Maybe a well-balanced cocktail. Maybe something a little sweeter. We figure it out. Internally? I’m doing algebra. Because I also know that five minutes later, there’s a 50/50 chance I’m going to hear, “I don’t taste anything in this.”

Yes. That was the assignment.

Because at the end of the day, this job is about managing moments — even the slightly ridiculous ones — with professionalism. That’s something I’ve come to understand on a deeper level after doing this for so long: hospitality isn’t just service. It’s emotional intelligence in real time. It’s constant translation. It’s reading between the lines. It’s taking vague, chaotic, sometimes contradictory requests and turning them into something that works. All in real time. In heels. In a crowded casino.

Which is why lately on my social media, I’ve been leaning more into the humor of it all — but also the education behind it. Because once you understand how the environment works, everything makes more sense.

Like why snapping or whistling at your server isn’t going to get you faster service — it’s just going to make you memorable for the wrong reasons.

Or why your “simple drink” during a rush isn’t always as simple as it sounds. Or why, yes — complimentary drinks are a perk of playing, not just existing near a slot machine. It’s not about calling people out. It’s about letting people in on how it really works.

Outside of the casino, my content shows a completely different side of life, too.The normal moments. The reset moments.

Moments like being on a podcast, dance classes, opening some new gems or some other ‘treat myself’ moment. Staying on top of doctor’s appointments, treating my first positive for skin cancer biopsy. Navigating perimenopause while still working in an environment that requires high energy, fast thinking even on days where the fatigue and brain fog are real. Because this version of life — midlife, evolving, balancing everything — deserves just as much space as the chaos of the casino floor.

And every once in a while, my dad makes an appearance. He worked on the Strip when I was growing up, and now he’ll pop into my content with his own stories or commentary. It’s one of my favorite full-circle moments — two different generations, same city, same industry, same understanding of what it takes to work in Las Vegas. Because this city isn’t just about the experience people come here for. It’s about the people who make that experience happen.

So if you take anything from this month’s column, let it be this:

Order what you actually want. Be clear. Be kind. And trust that your server is doing about ten things at once that you can’t see.

We’ve got you. And as always… don’t forget to tip your server.

IG & TikTok: @vegasbornjules