If you went to Columbia University, know anyone who went to Columbia University, or spent any portion of your college years in the general vicinity of Morningside Heights, chances are, you’ve spent many an evening at 1020—one of the university's beloved watering holes.

Case in point: Laura Goode got her start bartending at 1020 during her Columbia undergrad years and she's still working the taps three years later. Only now,  the tables have turned and she gives us the scoop on what it’s like to serve drinks to New York's Ivy Leaguers. (Spoiler: it gets annoying).

What’s the crowd like on an average night at 1020?
It’s almost all undergrads, all the time. Which sucks because they're ungrateful. It’s happy hour people until 10:30 or 11 p.m. and afterwards it gets pretty crazy. 

Do you see a lot of fake IDs?
Yes. We see almost exclusively fake IDs. I don’t check them but our bouncer is well-schooled.

So, if I wanted to score with a freshman, what cocktail should I buy him/her?
Beer would be a good one. We don’t serve mojitos or margaritas or anything that requires a blender. If you want to get in good with the bartender, order a whiskey or beer.

What’s your cocktail specialty?
I make a shot called Tight Snatch which I learned form a bartender is Wisconsin. It’s SoCo, amaretto, sloe gin, triple sec, orange juice and grenadine.

Better tippers: college students or grad students?
College students are worse because most grad students have been forced to work, unlike Columbia undergrads. But regulars tip well to get free drinks.

What else do you do?
Finishing my Master of Fine Arts at Columbia in writing, and I also teach at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Where do you live?
Prospect Heights

What other bars do you hang at?
If I’m up by Columbia, I’m usually at 1020 because I drink for free here. I like dive bars all over city. I like Freddy’s in Brooklyn; it’s probably my favorite. I also like Soda. Honestly, when you work at a bar, it’s much less appealing to go to one

Do you get hit on a lot?
The best/worst pickup line was from this old looking guy who was desperate to get my attention. He asked me what I was studying and what I did and tried to engage me in conversation.  When that didn’t work, he just yelled out, “Hey, Laura, do you ever date unsuccessful middle-aged men?”  I walked away.

And finally, what’s the best way to get rid of a hangover?
Fried food always does it for me...and a little hair of the dog.

1020
1020 Amsterdam Ave. at 111th St.
212-531-3468