TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | OCT 2018 19
By Alaina Loughridge - Photo by Wen McNally
Everybody knows Joseph Tarleton aka Joe T. aka American Legion
bartender that can shuck and jive, mix drinks and keep up a constant patter
asking about kids, jobs, partners and lives of everyone he knows (and
everyone knows him). If you wonder whether Joe T. has an extraordinary
talent of not letting his eyes glaze over with sheer boredom or if he is
listening - he’s listening.
The following is Joe T.’s story: I met him on a dark, stormy night … the
branches of the trees were scraping the windows of the Legion creepily.
Naw, just kidding. Broad daylight. The new baby, Kinsley Jewel Tarleton, was
kicking in her carrier and drooling happily away. So, long ago, in a land far
away …
Born and raised south of Atlanta, Joseph did his young years. After
graduating high school, he went to Gordon College where he received his
business degree. Still not smart enough, he then went to Georgia College
and State University where he received his Bachelors in Economics. This
entire time he was bartending, paying not only for school, but his dues. After
his second graduation, Joseph decided to stick his toe in the real estate
pool and earned his realtor’s license. Lots of hard work later, a change
of scenery was needed, and having been to Savannah several times, he
thought it would be a good place to check out. After a year in the big SAV,
Tybee summoned with her salty finger and that’s when life really began!
Starting his Tybee career at Fannie’s, Joseph moved around a bit to and
fro, doing this and that. This and that included a stint as a shrimper and
captaining a pedicab. Then in 2012, the American Legion called and it’s been
home ever since.
I asked Joe T. the basic questions of existence:
Tybee Life: 15 years
Passion: Being on the water on his boat
Grows Up: A good dad to his baby girl
Spirit Animal: A Pitbull (his doggie, Romeo, passed July, 2017 and
is missed by all of Tybee!). Romeo was loving, tough, tenacious and
protected his own. Just like Joe T.
Joseph tried to shove me off on his drink being a bottle of Miller Lite! HA!!!
I will not be fobbed off that easy and I tried again. Hence, the Joe Tini was
born. Ask any bartender in all of the land worth their salt: A martini (like a
Bloody Mary) is a true work of art. It is a skill perfected only by time and
practice. You must chill the glass with soda water, you must swish the
Vermouth just enough for the glass to... You get my point! It is what a good
bartender lives for! Joe T. has it down pat. Go to the Legion and get your Joe
Tini. It will be worth the wait. If perfection was instant, it would take away
the flavor now, wouldn’t it?