Joey Luna isn't sure exactly what his 30th birthday will include on Oct. 27, but it definitely will be a wild partyalthough it probably won't be in Chicago.
"I kind of want to go crazy, yet not embarrass myself" in my hometown, Luna said, laughing. "I definitely am looking forward to it. It will be an awesome milestone."
Luna has called Chicago home for about four years and said he "absolutely loves" the Windy City. "Chicago has a great mixpeople, places to go, things to do."
That's true ven in the winter. "More people seem to go out to drink in the winter; they don't hide out at home," said Luna, who is often spotted behind the bar at Taverna 750 in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. "The city really comes together in the winter, it seems. Perhaps just for warmth. Nothing warms you up like shot of Rumple Minze."
Luna also has a key behind-the-scenes role at the restaurant/bar that involves hiring, ordering and more. He handles many of the details, major and minor, that most people don't even know goes into running a successful business.
"The best part of my job is the people I work with," Luna said. "It's a very eclectic and diverse staff, people from all over country. There definitely are some interesting characters in the service industry in Chicago."
Luna said he's been hooked on the service industry because he's always wanted to be a part of the party, particularly throwing and hosting major events. "And this [industry] is an easy link to throwing a party, a natural fit," he said.
"I have fun letting others have fun; it's like I am the facilitator for others to have funand I really enjoy that. I enjoy throwing a party," Luna added.
So it's no surprise his long-term goal is to own a restaurant/bar, or a nightclub that also serves food.
THE STATS
Age: 29
Originally from: Houston
Job title: Front of house manager, Taverna 750; and DJ at Scarlet
Relationship status: Single
Hobbies: Music production, video games and movies
Favorite TV show: Girls (HBO)
Favorite movie: Scream
Least favorite song to play when DJing: "Call Me Maybe"