Popular Cherry Street Sports Club employee Bluey could be named region’s best bartender

He’s always smiling behind the bar at Ballina’s Cherry Street Sports Club, and now Paul “Bluey” McDermott is in the running to be named the region’s best bartender. Can he win?

He’s always smiling behind the bar at Ballina’s Cherry Street Sports Club, and now Paul “Bluey” McDermott is in the running to be named the Northern Rivers’ best bartender.

He received plenty of nominations in the original Facebook call-out, and is well-known around Ballina for top service with a smile.

Sandra Kirchen was one of the locals who nominated him, and said he was “the absolute best bartender I have ever come across”.

“He knows what you want even before you do,” she wrote on The Northern Star’s Facebook post.

“Always brings a smile to your face and makes you feel special every time.

“For nearly 30 years I have said this man deserves an award.

“I am 100 per cent sure all the Ballina locals would agree with me.”

Nathan Skelton confirmed “he’s a top bloke”.

“Started serving me 20 years ago when I turned 18, and I ran into him when I visited a couple of months ago and he still remembers the soccer team I was in, that the pub he worked for at the time sponsored,” he wrote.

Paula Thompson: “He is a gun and the nicest man ever.”

Josh Cowan: “If it ain’t Paul McDermott, I’ll eat my hat.”

Kirstie Veness: “Hands down best bartender.”

To vote for Bluey, or one of the other bartenders on the shortlist, you’ve got until 8am on Thursday, June 24.