Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesse Ross.
Jesse, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in Normal Heights, San Diego and moved to San Francisco in 2006 when I was 17, I lived in SF for almost seven years, and though I worked in restaurants and most of my roommates were bartenders it wasn’t until I moved back that I started working in bars. My first bar gig was as a barback helping open Polite Provisions.
I think being that I was green and probably still a little slow I watched my shifts start to diminish but luckily Anthony Schmidt had seen something in me and got me one day a week as prep/barback at Noble Experiment. I worked my way up to bartender between Neighborhood and Noble which I called home for the next 3+ years until getting offered the bar manager position at Sycamore in early 2016. I credit Erick Castro, Jesse Vida, Anthony Schmidt, Brian Lee and Trevor Easter directly for where I am today.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth? No. My start in the business was basically the result of my marijuana business falling apart around me and having to explore other avenues of employment. When I was kind of at my lowest point I hit up Castro (and called on my old roommates from SF to vouch for me) and he gave me a shot. When it became evident that me losing shift was performance-based it really upset me. When I got to Noble Experiment I had a huge chip on my shoulder. I told myself that I would never be anything other than the hardest working, most dedicated person at any job I ever do, and I really try to hold myself to that still.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Sycamore Den is a bar where absolutely anyone can feel comfortable. You can get well vodka soda or a cool Manhattan riff with a fancy whiskey. You can get a Miller High Life or a really great local craft beer. Sycamore is a safe space for our friends/family/and community and that’s what I think really sets apart. I’m grateful for the opportunity to create cool menus and to bartend which is my passion, but the atmosphere, vibe and sense of every single person feeling so at home at our bar is what I take the most pride in.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up (in Normal Heights where I still reside) I definitely had some phases. I had a serious hoodrat phase, I had a full-on punk rocker phase, I had 5 years where I was a rapper (with Jesse Vida AKA Brotha Grim). I have played in bands off and on since high school. I had a passion for newspapers, in HS I was an intern at CityBeat and initially went to college for journalism before dropping out for work and music.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3391 Adams Avenue San Diego 92116
- Website: sycamoreden.com
- Email: info@sycamoreden.com
- Instagram: SycamoreDen
Image Credit:
Sycamore Den, Arlene Ibarra, Lori Sokolowski
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