Hey, barkeep!
From Salt Lake to Salty Dawg II: Utah native makes Tucson home
By Coley Ward
CWARD@AZSTARNET.COM
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.08.2008
They say you can't go home again.
But Salty Dawg II barkeep Jamie McKay gave it a shot.
McKay grew up in Salt Lake City, then moved to Tucson with a friend on a whim in 2001 and started working at Salty Dawg II in 2002.
She returned to Utah a few years ago after giving birth to her daughter, Haylee. "But it only lasted three months."
McKay says Salt Lake City is a happening place — "There's a lot of great live music Downtown" – but she missed her friends in Tucson.
Where is the original Salty Dawg?
"It's in Homer, Alaska. But it's not affiliated with our bar. The guy who opened the Salty Dog II was a good friend of the guy who owned the original, so he borrowed the name."
Have you ever been to the original?
"No. Actually, I was just in Alaska in August, but not on business."
What were you doing in Alaska?
"I was visiting my boyfriend. He was working there. He installs the pipe for snow-making machines at ski resorts."
Do they really need snow-making machines in Alaska?
"I asked the same thing! I guess they do."
So, are you in Tucson to stay?
"Actually, we'll probably move to Utah again eventually. Or Montana. That's where my boyfriend lives."
Have you invented any drinks?
"I invented a drink called the Water Moccasin. It has Crown Royal Whisky, peach schnapps, a splash of sweet and sour and a splash of cranberry."
Seen any good movies lately?
"I saw 'American Gangster' on DVD. That was good. The last movie we saw in the theaters was 'Bee Movie.' "
What's Haylee's favorite movie?
"Right now it's 'Enchanted.' She likes to dress up and watch it. Dress-up is one of our favorite things at home. She dresses up like Cinderella and Snow White. They're her favorites."
Read more about Tucson nightlife at go.azstarnet.com/sceneatnight.