On my hunt for this week’s bartender of the week, I hit the North Wildwood entertainment district. This weekend hotspot was sure to be home to the best and brightest of Cape May County. I struck the luck of the Irish at Westy’s Irish Pub with seasoned veteran bartender Joe Diamond. As Westy’s resident liquor manager, Joe runs the pub scene. Owner Peg West jokingly refers to him as her “do-it-all guy”. What does Joe like best about working behind the bar at Westy’s? The fun, the action, and mostly, the people. He proudly states that Westy’s is THE place to be on a summer night. And with big name East Coast bands including The Nerds, The Heart Beats, Bigg Romeo, Stellar Mojo, The Zone, and Sindi Raymond Band set to hit the Westy’s Deck and Pub stages this season, Joe is not mistaken.
Joe has been serving up cold cocktails and brews at Westy’s for the last ten years and shows no sign of stopping. While he mixes a mean Cosmo, Joe’s drink of choice is bottled Coors Light. “That’s all he drinks,” jokes a fellow Westy’s staff member. I’ve also heard a rumor that Joe is a great dancer… “Give me a couple of Coors Lights, and I will be,” says Joe of his dancing skills. And Joe’s favorite food? Definitely pizza. However, not just any pizza. Joe is loyal to Westy’s Brick Oven Pizza. Whether he’s heating up the dance floor or cooling down Westy’s patrons, Joe does it well. Come say hello and let Joe pour you a glass of Westy’s signature Celtic Lemonade. While he can’t reveal the top secret recipe of this perfectly refreshing, sweet, and fruity concoction, Joe is confident in this always delicious crowd favorite.
By Megan Kummer