11-12-2023 Harford Mag - Flipbook - Page 28
Best restaurants
Bridget Vannoy of
Coakley’s Pub in
Havre de Grace has
been bartending on
and off since she was
18 years old. PHOTO
BY LLOYD FOX
BEST BARTENDER
BRIDGET VANNOY,
COAKLEY’S PUB
For a time, Bridget Vannoy tried working as a
receptionist. But it turns out that sitting behind a
desk for eight hours a day wasn’t the path for her.
“I like being on my feet, being constantly on
the move,” she said.
As the daytime bartender at Coakley’s Pub in
Havre de Grace, Vannoy is certainly on the move:
She said she averages 7 to 9 miles of walking per
day behind the bar.
Vannoy, who recently celebrated her 50th
birthday, has been bartending on and off since
she was 18 years old. The pace of the job and the
connections she makes with customers has kept
her coming back.
Vannoy, who has worked at Coakley’s since
2016, calls interacting with regulars “the most
important thing I like about my job.” She’s also
forged a close relationship with the pub’s owners,
Margie Coakley and Will Nori, who are “like
family to me.”
Behind the bar, Vannoy is known for her
crushes (a key lime crush with graham cracker
crust is her favorite) and other inventive, seasonal
drinks. She’s also there to lend an ear.
“I’m not just your bartender,” she said, “I’m
your local psychologist too.”
Ambience
PAIRINGS BISTRO
Asian
CHOPSTIX FOREST HILL
Honorable mentions:
One Eleven Main
The Local
Bacco Italian + Wine Bar
Honorable mentions:
Uncle’s Hawaiian Grindz
Fuji Sushi
Lemon N Ginger Asian Grille
Bakery
FLAVOR CUPCAKERY &
BAKE SHOP
414 St. John St., #406, Havre de Grace,
410-939-8888, coakleyspub.com
THE LIST
28
| Winter 2023 | harfordmagazine.com
Honorable mentions:
Newberry Café & Bakery
Woodlea Bakery of Bel Air
Saubel’s Markets