This week’s Bokenology takes us to Trinity Restaurant, Bar & Lounge, 306 Sinatra Drive. This trendy waterfront restaurant is a casually chic place where one can get a great cocktail and a good meal all while enjoying the spectacular city views. This is a good place to relax and have drinks and their happy hour sure helps sweeten the deal! Happy Hour is Monday to Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and includes $3 draft beers, $3 Coors Light bottles, $5 house wines, and a $5 Cosmo or Appletini. But part of the fun is the friendly staff. One such person is longtime staff member Stacie. The friendly and funny Stacie will work hard to brighten your night.

DS: How long have you worked in the bar business?

Stacie: About 10 years.

DS: How long have you worked here?

Stacie: Over five years.

DS: What is the best part of your job?

Stacie: The fact that you can socialize and interact with people. Plus all the friends I’ve made! Making cash isn’t bad either!

DS: What is a life lesson you’ve learned working behind the bar?

Stacie: It’s taught me patience. There isn’t another job that teaches you as much as it does here. It teaches you how to stay calm with people.

DS: What is the most life affirming thing you’ve ever witnessed?

Stacie: A woman forgot her wallet and a random stranger picked up the check. She realized she didn’t have it on her when she went to pay the check. She was really grateful.

DS: What is the single best tip you ever received?

Stacie: I got $300 from a regular. He was having a really bad year. He would come in to talk to me and I would just listen to him. He was really grateful one night.

DS: How do you prepare for a shift?

Stacie: I bring a couple of Red Bulls with me and that’s it- I’m ready to go.

DS: What is the best drink you make?

Stacie: My Chocolate Martini! It’s just dessert that gets you drunk!

DS: What do you drink on a night off?

Stacie: Vodka, Jack, or Jameson. I usually order Three Olives Grape and club soda.

DS: What is the strangest thing you’ve ever witnessed?

Stacie: Oh, there are a lot! There are some strange people who come out! Actually, we had a celebrity working here and this customer recognized her and told me to make an “Annie cocktail!” He just wanted it red. I don’t really know what he wanted in it. So I gave him red wine with ice and he chugged it!

DS: Are there any other strange things you’ve seen?

Stacie: We had a woman go into labor while she was having dinner. She was eating dinner with her husband in the dining room and her water broke while they were eating. He paid the check and he helped her to the front. Then he ran to get the car from the garage. A few staff members helped her outside to the car and her husband drove her to hospital himself. She was uncomfortable but remained calm.

DS: What advice would you give a 21 year-old going out in Hoboken?

Stacie: Be careful! Drink lots of water when you drink! Don’t do too many shots! They get you drunk fast- don’t blackout!

Photos by Krista Kelly.