There are two undeniable truths about working in the restaurant industry: the working hours are unconventional and the camaraderie among colleagues is unmatched and incomparable to many other professions.
The Swordfish Cocktail Club in downtown Greenville has found a fun — and “secret” — way to cater to this semi-exclusive society. Swordfish issues a special coin that unlocks a service industry-only menu — for those who work in the food and beverage industry, as well as healthcare workers and some other professions. It’s available during the cocktail club’s service industry night on Tuesdays starting at 10 p.m.
Owners Evan Leihy and Brad Hagen have been working in the food and beverage industry for a long time, and their mission goes beyond offering friends a discounted cocktail or the classic “handshake” – a combination of liquor and beer – and is intended as a salve to heal the industry’s more toxic effects.
“We need to treat and serve each other the same way we always treat our guests, rather than just being ‘the waiter,'” Leihy said. “It’s very easy for us to believe and think that about ourselves.”
Leihy added that another hope is to change the drinking culture away from “popping” shots and towards enjoying a quality drink with friends.
The menu includes options like grilled cheese on Rise Bakery sourdough bread with garlic confit and a homemade oat cream pie called Chubby Deborah. Some options are found on the regular menu but are offered here at a more affordable price.
The focus is on comfort food: things that hit the spot when you’ve been working all night.
The service menu also offers popular cocktails like the Old Fashioned and Negroni at discounted prices. The Barman’s Choice allows guests to give Swordfish’s bartenders any tasting notes they want and have them mix a cocktail based on the description.
The menu also includes draft beers.
So how do you get a coin?
When a guest arrives for Industry Night, the host takes down their name, contact details and restaurant or health group and then gives them a coin that gives them access to the special menu.
Others receive the regular menu.
For Lauren Cory, executive assistant at Swordfish, it feels like the downtown hideaway has always been doing something. She has been with the company since 2019 and was the first employee.
Cory estimates that 1,000 coins have been given out. Some regulars may receive coins, but this is entirely at the discretion of the staff. Employees can also donate coins to restaurants or bars that provide memorable experiences; Cory recently gave out her first coin at Royal Izakaya in Philadelphia because she felt the experience was truly exceptional.
