Life & Work with Sydney Cline of Paso Robles, California

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Cline.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in the greater Seattle are and was adamant of having a career in the cosmetics world. Bartending really didn’t fall into my line of sight until the Covid-19 Pandemic. I couldn’t see clients, and restaurants were opening quicker than salons and stores, so I figured I would take on a serving job to get by. I found myself at a fast paced, busy sports lounge. Having been in Seattle for 11 years, and the city still recovering from the pandemic, I figured my time there had run its course and I was ready to start over. When I moved to the Central Coast, I had no idea what Paso Robles had to offer me, but it wound up being one of the best decisions I ever made!
Bartending still gives me the creative outlet I need and crave, and I was able to really involve myself in a community and build relationships. I always knew I would thrive in a job where I could talk to people all day and provide a service, and hospitality truly is a perfect fit for me after cosmetics didn’t workout. I find so much joy in a fast paced environment that requires multi-tasking. I can never be still for too long! I also really love the schedule it provides. I still have the freedom and time to be see my friends and family, and support all the local small businesses I love.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think with every journey and new adventure there are roadblocks and set backs. I think finding confidence in yourself and finding your voice in a new area or career can be difficult without losing your values. Thankfully, I was lucky enough to be hired at The Alchemists’ Garden when I arrived in Paso. I had undergone a lot of change in my life before moving and was feeling a little lost, I think like most people after Covid. The Alchemists’ owners (Alex, Andrew, Quin and Tony) really helped me feel settled pretty quickly and find my groove again in my craft. It was nice to feel like I had found a family in Paso so quickly. Thats now carried over into starting at new restaurant in the area, Chef Julien Asseo’s new venture S’aranella. It was so hard to say goodbye to my team, but I was ready to accept another challenge and go work under my mentor, Sarah Watson. It’s always challenging to get out of your comfort zone and step away from what you know – but the result is always worth the risk!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
when it comes to who I am as a bartender, classic cocktails are my jam. I love the history, the origin stories, how people remember where they were when they tried a specific classic cocktail for the first time. I remember when my coworker and good friend Chris, a bartender in Seattle, made me my first old fashioned, and when another bartender Hunter made me my first dirty martini!
I think in this industry a lot of people want to reinvent the wheel and be doing something new that hasn’t been seen before – but I thrive on being able to give a guest an incredible experience with the simplicity of a delicious and perfectly balanced classic drink. I think I am most proud of being the bartender people are recommended to go see for a killer old fashioned or sazerac (my personal favorite). But bartending is so much more than just churning out drinks. To me, I get to be involved in so many exciting and monumental moments for people. Celebrations, first dates, anniversaries. Being able to provide amazing, memorable service and hospitality as well as making a drink they won’t forget is what really drives me. I really love building relationships with guests that become regulars, who can expect consistency from me whenever they sit in front of me at my bar.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I’m looking forward to seeing the city of Paso Robles itself grow. I think Paso has something really unique and special to offer the hospitality industry. We’re known for wine of course, but I think the cocktail scene is going to blow up here too. I see small-town cocktail bars being huge attractions for people from bigger cities like New York or Los Angeles.
We have some extremely talented bartenders who are committed to this town and to small locally owned businesses thriving, so I’m excited to see what we can achieve in the next 10 years. I know there are a few of us who would love to put roots down here and start our own business eventually to contribute the the community.
I also know a lot of strong women in the industry doing some incredible work. For example, Lindsey Johnson, the founder of Lush Life Productions (responsible for Camp Runamok and Portland Cocktail Week) and @womenwhowhiskey bringing women to the forefront of all things whiskey. I’m excited to see where they take the lead in new ventures and how they can bring more women together in the world of bartending!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/sydneylynncline