Dr. Muddle

Six o'clock, a bar the width of a hallway, and the tickets are already curling on the rail. Everyone wants something different, everyone is watching the clock, and you are the only one behind the counter.

Dr. Muddle is an order-rush game where nothing is made by pressing a button. You pick the glass, hold the bottle and let go on the line — let go late and the rum still in the air puts you over. Ice bounces. Mint gets rubbed, not dropped. The shaker wants working in time with the band, and if you shake a soda you will find out why nobody does.

Fourteen drinks arrive over the first week, a few guests at a time and then four, and the back bar grows a few bottles every morning. Three walkouts in a night and you are let go; a perfect pour buys one back. Make a drink well twice and the recipe card folds away — serve it from memory and the tip goes up. Every night has a house goal that pays out at closing, VIPs tip double if you are quick about it, and the chalkboard keeps the stars from your best pour of every drink, shift after shift. The regulars know the recipes. Eventually so will you.