Los Angeles is dotted with tiny little gems all over the Southland. Little dive bars, little holes in the wall. Tiki Ti, Frolic Room and Jumbo’s Clown Room in Hollywood. The Tattle Tale Room, Lost & Found, Prince o’ Whales, Cozy Inn, Harbor Room, Hermosa Saloon, Paddy O’Brien’s and Sly Fox. They’re part of the dense mosaic of Los Angeles. And then there’s Joxer Daly’s.

Joxer Daly’s was my first dive bar love when I moved to Los Angeles. Located on Washington Blvd., I’d wander in there with my buddy, Pete, for a late night cocktail after a long day of work or listen to Karaoker’s croak out Black Velvet by Alannah Myles. My favorite bartender was Wendy Anderson and what a character she was. She could best be described through William Faulkner’s classic line, “Local Color.” She was something else, Wendy was. And my Tale of Andrade today, is to honor her.

I took a buddy of mine to Joxer’s one day, many years ago, for a mid-day aperitif. Joxer’s was always a beer and bourbon joint to me so when Wendy approached, I ordered a Maker’s on the rocks. I was young, needed the ice. My friend, who shall remain nameless, was a little younger and always pleased with himself.

“What would you like, handsome,” Wendy asked my friend.

“Do you have any Spanish Champagnes?”

I stared at my friend, incredulous.

“No sweetie, we don’t,” Wendy positively growled.

“Bourbon, bourbon, bourbon,” I hissed and my friend recovered his senses.

“Oh, I’ll have a Black Bush neat.”

Wendy rolled her eyes, gave me a ‘what the…’ glance and walked to the liquor shelf. I shook my head at my friend and sighed. Wendy poured my Maker’s and poured my friend a Bushmill’s, which sat right next to the Black Bush.

When she delivered our drinks, my friend spoke up.

“I’m terribly sorry, but I do believe I asked for a Black Bush.”

Wendy grabbed the rocks glass of Bushmill’s.

“Pardon me, your majesty,” she bowed with a flourish and slugged the shot in one take.

I nearly spit out my Maker’s with laughter and considered asking for her hand in marriage. It still is one of the funniest bartender reactions I’ve ever witnessed.

Sadly, Wendy passed away this last year amidst the horrors of a difficult 2020. We crossed each other’s paths over the years and I was deeply saddened to learn of her death. She was a nice lady, a strong spirit and a friend. It is the ‘local color’ and the spirit of people like Wendy that craft rivulets of joy into our world, as we mingle ourselves into that world.

Cheers to you, Wendy! You’ll always be majestic in my eyes and you are missed.