Cocktail:
Rackhams Sunspoth
Rackham's Pub and Restaurant overlooking the tranquil seas near George Town harbour is a favourite hangout for residents and tourists. A long-established business that embraces the casual and shuns the stuffy, Rackham's is known for great food, cold drinks and good prices. Now with the addition of cblu, its outdoor lounge area right on the coast, it can accommodate everyone from Happy Hour honchos to private function fans. When you pull up a chair to the bar, chances are you'll find Karen Clark serving up the beverages - a Hershey's Kiss personified. Good things come in small packages!
Karen was born in Devon, England and contrary to popular belief, did not eat cream morning, noon and night (although she may have consumed more than the average dose when she visited her Grandmother.) While she was still in school she found part-time employment at a local restaurant, The Cromwell Arms. Once she graduated she decided that she really wasn't in the mood for university, and so accepted a full-time position at the same place, bartending there until November 2006 when another option came her way.
Her cousin was living and working in a spa in the Cayman Islands and encouraged Karen to make the move down here. A friend worked on the Nautilus semi-submarine, and so offered Karen a job as a narrator and fish-feeder on the daily trips. She happily accepted, and for the next two-and-a-half years verbally led tourists through the wrecks and underwater sights in the surrounding waters.
At the same time she had a split permit with Rackhams where she was bartending in the evening. It turned out to be a pretty hectic schedule - Nautilus by day, Rackham's by night. Even for a young thing, it was tiring and more importantly, allowed her no social life beyond chatting with customers. Karen flew back the UK for a few months to visit family and contemplate her next step. As boredom crept in, she decided that she would come back to Grand Cayman, but this time it would be to work solely at Rackham's. In May 2009 she returned to these sunny shores and began her full-time permit with this fantastic pub and restaurant by the sea (a stone's throw, I might add, from where the Nautilus docks.)
What Karen loves best about her job is the bunch of loyal customers that visit her almost every day, and meeting new people who revel in the atmosphere and location of her “office.” She also cannot say enough good things about the team of people with whom she works – they are not just co-workers, they’re friends, and that makes all the difference between a nice day and a great day.
When you go to see Karen, don’t take it personally if you suddenly behold a grabber heading in your direction. It’s merely so she can reach empty bottles etc… that her wee legs don’t allow her to gather otherwise. Don’t be fooled though – she’s small, but she’s fierce. And she mixes a mean drink…podner.
Stop by Rackham’s today, relax, take a load off and order a bevvie or three. Karen will take care of ya!