Newby’s bar manager/bartender/booking agent Brian “Skinny” McCabe will never forget the times he’s won “Best Bartender” (or the times his Highland strip employer has won “Best College Bar”) in the annual Memphis Flyer “Best of Memphis” reader’s poll. That’s because his BOM awards are tattooed on his body.
McCabe recently had the finishing touches put on his latest Memphis Flyer tat, which pays homage to this year’s Mike McCarthy-designed comic book-style cover. McCabe took a few minutes to tell us about his Flyer ink.
Flyer: How many years has Newby’s received BOM awards?
McCabe: From what I was told, we’ve been winning ever since The Memphis Flyer started it. I’ve been there for almost nine years, and I can only think of once when we didn’t win Best College Bar.
You have two BOM tattoos. When did you get your first one?
The first was shortly after I won in 2012.
And what made you think, “I should get a tattoo commemorating this!”?
I want my co-workers to see it on a nightly basis so they know who is the “Boss Applesauce.”
Where on your body are the tattoos?
Right (massive) calf muscle
Who was your tattoo artist?
Super Dave at No Regrets. He’s done mostly all of my work since I turned 18. I’m 32 1/2 now.
Any regrets?
Sometimes I wish it would glow in the dark.
Will you continue this trend for any BOM awards in the future?
I have officially retired from the rat race, but just in that category. But, to answer the question, yes! I still have plenty of room.
