Bartender Spotlight – Creston Mercado

If you’ve been to Tropics Tap House on University Avenue, Creston Mercado probably is familiar to you. With a bright personality, cheeky smile and serious multitasking skills when it comes to drink slinging, Mercado is hard to forget.

Barkeep (BK): How long have you been bartending? Creston Mercado (CM): I’ve been bartending for six years. I wanted to try something other than retail, and something that was a little bit more fast-paced.

BK: What is a typical night at Tropics like?

CM: A typical night at Tropics would be a chill night with friends, whether it be sitting at the bar top or at our tables. Either way, you enjoy a great atmosphere, with the many TVs we have throughout the bar and dining areas broadcasting all the sports. Pool table, shuffleboard and darts are other ways to be entertained!

BK: What’s the busiest night of the week?

CM: I believe that night would be Thursday! #TBT, aka College Night. The house is packed by 11:30.

BK: What do you think are the top five drinks to try at Tropics?

CM: The Yeti, Tap House Tai, Perfect Piña, Green Flash West Coast IPA and Deschutes Fresh Squeeze.

BK: What is one thing people might not know about the bar?

CM: Our murals are actually hand-drawn by our very own (bartender) Erin Miller.

BK: What is your favorite drink to make?

CM: White Gummy: Grey Goose Pear, peach schnapps, a splash of cranberry and Sprite.

BK: Least favorite?

CM: The lychee blueberry mojito, because there are so many ingredients.

BK: Since Tropics is so close to UH, what is some advice you have for bar scene newbies?

CM: If you start a tab with a server, please order through the same server, and same as if you were to start a tab with a bartender. When closing your tab, please close with the same people who opened your tab. That is all.

BK: What’s your favorite dish to order? What drink goes well with it?

CM: Garlic wings! So sweet and savory! (Pairs with) Rogue Dead Guy or the Ballast Point Sculpin IPA.

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