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Double shot of fun

By GINA VIVINETTO
Published April 13, 2005

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Those who frequent the Emerald, the downtown St. Petersburg bar where the hipsters hang, know tattooed twin bartenders Moe and Crissy Gerow. They dish out sarcasm and sass like it's on draft.

The Gerows, 31, have a cult of Emerald enthusiasts who would rather sit at the bar with them then watch local bands perform.

Believe it or not, these two do more than mix drinks. Moe is a high-end hair stylist at the Look in St. Petersburg, and Crissy, mother to 6-year-old Jake, does administrative work at Florida Trend magazine. Both have steady guys in their lives.

Over lunchtime sandwiches, the twins, graduates of Boca Ciega High School, pick from each other's plates and give us the dirt about growing up and tending bar in St. Pete.

Who got the first tattoo?

Moe: I did. As soon as we turned 18. But, it was close. I have five. Or, six.

Crissy: We were very sheltered growing up. We listened to the radio and our mom's records --

Moe : (interrupting) Perry Como

As if on cue, both ladies burst into singing Como's Catch A Falling Star.

Crissy: Also, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye. Our mom thought Elvis was a greaser --

Moe: She didn't like him --

Crissy: She grew up in Detroit so she liked Motown.

How did you start bartending?

Crissy: I started first, at the Pasadena Yacht Club. The bartender called in sick on my 21st birthday. I was a waitress. The owners were, like, (squinty eyes, gravelly voice) , "Get behind the bar!' I was, like, (dimwittedly), "Um, I know how to open a beer bottle.' They said if I didn't know how to make a drink, ask, and to (gravelly voice) "Pour until your wrist hurts." Man, I made those drinks strong!

Who's a better bartender? Crissy: We both have our retarded moments, and our stellar moments. Often in the same night!

Moe: I'm faster.

Crissy: Nooo!

Who makes better tips?

(Both look at each other).

Moe: It's equal.

Crissy: We'll think we're having a rockin' night and then we get home and count and we're like(dramatically) "That's all I made? I gave my soul!"

Who's nastier to the customers?

Crissy: (silently thumbs toward Moe).

Moe: (defensively) It's not that I'm nasty, I'm just less tolerant of people who are rude.

Tell us about the drama you've seen.

Moe: The whole time I've been there, there's only been one punch thrown, and I jumped over the bar and said, "If there's gonna be a fight in here, it's gonna be with me!" And that ended it.

Crissy: (Daintily) Yes, I always wear my proper underwear for when I have to jump over the bar.

The humor comes naturally? Some nights it's like a Saturday Night Live sketch in there. Especially the rare nights you work together.

Crissy : Humor is something we've always had. We used to entertain each other growing up.

Moe: It's good to have to diffuse the volatile situations. When I kick people out, I try to make it really funny, so everyone can have a laugh as I'm leading them to the door.

-- Gina Vivinetto gina@tampabay.com

[Last modified April 13, 2005, 16:40:01]