5 QUESTIONS FOR OLIVER KAISER, BURG BAR MANAGER
article of 06.12.2023
ANYTHING GOES IN THE BURG BAR, RIGHT? DO YOU HAVE ANY RULES OR IS IT A FREE-FOR-ALL?
Actually only two. Rule number 1: We only serve alcohol to those of legal age. If you’e under 18, you can’t get hard liquor. Boundaries are important to create security and trust for all. Rule number 2: I don’t tolerate quarreling. People are here to have a good time and I can become rather strict when I sense any tension in the air. I am a stickler on these two points. Otherwise, I’m pretty flexible (laughs) — and I understand it happens that when people get excited, they can sometimes take things a bit too far.
WHAT MAKES A VISIT TO THE BURG BAR SO SPECIAL? HOW ARE YOU DIFFERENT?
I’m a passionate host. My specialty is people.
OHH. THAT SOUNDS EXCITING. CAN PEOPLE ORDER COCKTAILS FROM YOU TOO?
Of course (laughs). But I don’t focus on trends. Don’t get me wrong: I also like lavender essence or a smoldering rosemary stalk in my cocktail. This can be very interesting and delicious. It’s just not my personal style. I create special moments for our guests. Of course excellent drinks come with the territory - that goes without saying in a hotel like the Burg. But I’m also serving sensitivity and serious attention. Who is sitting in front of me? How is this person? In my role, how can I help them have the best time? From my point of view, the coziness and focus on gathering is a bit lost these days. At the Burg, we want to remain a real meeting place. I am committed to this with heart and soul. And, I don’t do this alone; it’s a team effort.
SPEAKING OF OTHERS: HOW IMPORTANT IS TEAMWORK?
Extremely important! Of course, this applies to the entire hotel. But when the party gets going, it must be perfect, especially outside at the Eisbar. If something does go wrong, we feel the pain. We definitely want our guests to be happy. My colleague Stefan, for example, is a calm port in a storm, no matter how big the pressure gets. We've also been personal friends for many years, so we can even communicate without words. The Burg family saying is not just a myth - it's authentic.
WHAT ABOUT GUEST FRIENDSHIPS?
Absolutely not (laughs). I say this with love, but we don’t have anything like that here. Of course we talk to our guests, and sometimes quite intimately. We like each other and many we have known for years, but we abide by a code of honor to be discreet and know our professional limits.
Actually only two. Rule number 1: We only serve alcohol to those of legal age. If you’e under 18, you can’t get hard liquor. Boundaries are important to create security and trust for all. Rule number 2: I don’t tolerate quarreling. People are here to have a good time and I can become rather strict when I sense any tension in the air. I am a stickler on these two points. Otherwise, I’m pretty flexible (laughs) — and I understand it happens that when people get excited, they can sometimes take things a bit too far.
WHAT MAKES A VISIT TO THE BURG BAR SO SPECIAL? HOW ARE YOU DIFFERENT?
I’m a passionate host. My specialty is people.
OHH. THAT SOUNDS EXCITING. CAN PEOPLE ORDER COCKTAILS FROM YOU TOO?
Of course (laughs). But I don’t focus on trends. Don’t get me wrong: I also like lavender essence or a smoldering rosemary stalk in my cocktail. This can be very interesting and delicious. It’s just not my personal style. I create special moments for our guests. Of course excellent drinks come with the territory - that goes without saying in a hotel like the Burg. But I’m also serving sensitivity and serious attention. Who is sitting in front of me? How is this person? In my role, how can I help them have the best time? From my point of view, the coziness and focus on gathering is a bit lost these days. At the Burg, we want to remain a real meeting place. I am committed to this with heart and soul. And, I don’t do this alone; it’s a team effort.
SPEAKING OF OTHERS: HOW IMPORTANT IS TEAMWORK?
Extremely important! Of course, this applies to the entire hotel. But when the party gets going, it must be perfect, especially outside at the Eisbar. If something does go wrong, we feel the pain. We definitely want our guests to be happy. My colleague Stefan, for example, is a calm port in a storm, no matter how big the pressure gets. We've also been personal friends for many years, so we can even communicate without words. The Burg family saying is not just a myth - it's authentic.
WHAT ABOUT GUEST FRIENDSHIPS?
Absolutely not (laughs). I say this with love, but we don’t have anything like that here. Of course we talk to our guests, and sometimes quite intimately. We like each other and many we have known for years, but we abide by a code of honor to be discreet and know our professional limits.