Sean offers service with his inimitable smile
-interview by Tara Johnson
Sean took a few minutes from his multi-tasking at Roy’s Kahana Bar to chat with us about his work and life. While sampling a variety of wonderful pupus and desserts we enjoyed the usual quick wit and “Aloha” that Sean always serves at his bar.
Sean moved from Aspen to Lake Tahoe eventually settling here in Maui at Roy’s for the last 18 years. After 31 years and 4 different decades of bartending, Sean ranks as one of the best in the biz.The amazing food at Roy’s is not the only thing that keeps us coming back for more; Sean is a master at mixing drinks and providing constant entertainment at the bar, too.
WCM: Right to the point, Sean, how do you keep things “cool” yet make your bar so “hot?”
Sean: It’s called B.B.D; I try to give everyone the “Bigger and Better Deal.”
WCM:You’re not just a bartender; you also serve food at your bar. With all the serving, bussing, pouring, mixing, and special orders, how do you manage it all so seamlessly?
Sean: It isn’t always easy. The trick is to make it look like it is.
WCM: Off the cuff — what’s a nice guy like you doing in a place like this?
Sean: I never loved a company or my job before. That’s priceless.
WCM: Okay, better put, how did you originally find your way to Roy’s? How long have you been working there?
Sean: I did a little research on Roy’s and found out they were opening a new restaurant in Kahana. I have been here for 18 years now.
(We must add that Sean was the first person to be hired at Roy’s, and the only original person still there)
WCM: Fill in the blank: If I weren’t the bartender at Roy’s I’d be ___________
Sean: Hopefully playing on the AVP Volleyball Tour. But realistically, I’d be playing volleyball at Kaanapali Beach with my friends.
WCM: Roy’s is undoubtedly a great place to meet and mingle, especially late nights. How do you make everyone feel so at home at your bar?
Sean: I host a party at my bar each night and I wait to see who shows up.
WCM: Ever dish out relationship advice?
Sean: No, because what goes on at Roy’s Bar, stays at Roy’s Bar.
WCM: What’s the most interesting thing that’s happened at your bar?
Sean: A guy proposed to his girl at my bar with a ring in the chocolate soufflé. She cut it open and there it was, and she said yes!
WCM: What’s the most interesting thing that’s happened in your life?
Sean: Following my baseball and football team around for two weeks to four major cities; Detroit, California and Boston.
WCM: What do you most look forward to?
Sean: Days off. We live for days off.
WCM: How do you handle prickly situations?
Sean: With finesse.
WCM: What’s your favorite libation to serve? To enjoy after hours? To toss down the drain?
Sean: My famous lemon drop is my favorite to serve, Coors Light to enjoy, and definitely bad wine to toss down the drain.
WCM: Fill in the blanks: If I never see another recession in my life, it will be too soon.
WCM: What do you like most about your job?
Sean: Seeing a smile on the face of a return guest, when I recognize them and say “Welcome back.”
WCM: What do you like most about Maui?
Sean: The Aloha of course.
WCM: What’s your favorite thing to do when you aren’t working?
Golf, Volleyball, and the Tiki Bar.
WCM: Working here for 18 years, you must have your favorite menu items. What are some of your “must haves”?
Sean: Shortribs, and of course the chocolate soufflé.
WCM: Sean, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with us.
Sean: Mahalo and Aloha!
You can visit Sean on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at Roy’s Kahana Bar and Grill. Another great reason to check out Roy’s in a more casual atmosphere is 25% off on their Classic dishes offered at the bar each night.
Sean Rudisell, Roy's Hot Bartender
great article. hot bartender.
Mr Aloha..
Lookin good after all these years! You can pop my cork anytime!
We have been faithful customers of Roy’s for many many years and have developed a great friendship with Sean and several of the people that work at Roy’s. They really know how to treat a guest. If we ever went to Roy’s and found Sean not there, it would be hard to return. Great bartender, great article, and great restaurant.
GREAT WRITE-UP. ROY’S IS BY FAR THE BEST RESTAURANT ON THE ISLAND AND IT WOULD NOT BE THE SAME WITHOUT SEAN AT THE BAR, HOLDING HIS NIGHTLY “PARTY”. WE HAVE BEEN VACATIONING ON MAUI AND ENJOYING ROY’S AND SEAN FOR OVER TEN YEARS AND WE HAVE NEVER BEEN DISAPPOINTED. THE DRINKS, THE FOOD, THE WONDERFUL STAFF AND OUR FAVORITE BARTENDER MAKE IT ALL A GLORIOUS EXPERIENCE. WE TRAVEL MOST OF THE YEAR AND MAUI AND SEAN ARE WHAT WE LOOK FORWARD TO MOST OF ALL. THANK YOU FOR SHOWCASING MAUI’S PREMIERE BARTENDER.. LOVE YOU, GOOD BUDDY. ALOHA.
OHH BUDDY! BBD
BUDDY! MUCH MAHALOS FOR REPRESENTING!!!! LOVE YOU BUDDY!
Great article! Roy’s has become a family favorite when we visit Maui and we have met Sean too and he makes the experience that much better!
Awwww Brother! What a sweet article…ur da best! Luv the Roy’s crew and food is soo yummy!
Yeah Sean! This article made me miss the food and crew at Roy’s Kahana!
Hi Sean,
Mom and I enjoyed your article and seeing your picture. It’s the first time that we’ve seen you in at least 30 years. Keep up the good work and we hope to visit someday before the next 30 years!
Your Aunt Delcie and cousin (Sharon).
I ‘ve known Sean for 30 plus years this man has the biggest heart, I’ve learned from him the Aloha spirt,Roy’s incredible menu how each dish touches each of your senses, from your lips,tongue,cheeks,and your taste buds. He also know the exact wine to pair up with each dish at Roy’s . He is the MAN!! (of course Roy is to the MAN) . LOL!
It a must to see Sean do what he loves most.( to make others happy)
Sean!! Great article my friend! Miss you guys…I will have to get my butt out of Whistler and head over for some fabulous Maui sunshine, friendships and Aloha sometime soon!
Take care buddy….hilti
Brother sean you rock! Nice to see you get recognized for a job well Done! Great chip shots! Catcha at the beach some time. Hope your there the next time I come to dine.
You were always the best… Great Article…
Nobody does it better than Sean! Drinks, food and service….the total package. It’s not a vacation until we get the whole family to Roy’s to visit Sean and be spoiled by the best!
Many mahalos Sean!
Brian , Barb , Keegan and Kelly
My old friend from Newbury Park High School in California (class of 1972)! It’s good to see that you have aged well, and still enjoying yourself. We always seem to end up vacationing on Oahu, but next time I promise it will be Maui at Roy’s. Keep smiling!