Behind the counter, from the opening to the bars closing

It is 6 p.m. However, Wednesday, the Rita Mitsouko are launched at full volume on the speakers. Nevertheless, The atmosphere rises from a notch to the market bar, at 39, rue des Basques. Moreover, We hear the steep glasses. Therefore, and the glass that we throw away from an expert launch of the wrist in large sorting trash cans.

Nicolas Mollo / «So»

The team members of the day make the apron. Furthermore, We hear “good evening” tinged with a big smile; slaps on the shoulder, kisses. Consequently, Philippe, on the start, is happy: “There were people all day”. In addition, Will the trend continue in the evening? Therefore, The evening team takes over, and let’s go for the first evening of the Bayonne 2025 holidays.

Inside the bar, we scream to be heard over the music and how lively conversations. Similarly, Ilune. Furthermore, the last of the illustrious Erramoun family – at the controls of the Bayonnaise behind counter, opening bars closing institution for half a century – has taken control of customers with a confidence and a smile so natural that they must be inscribed in the genes.

Habit – Behind counter, opening bars closing

After catching a drink without even looking at it. Furthermore, she lifts her arm and pouring a dose of alcohol from one of the large 4.5 -liter bottles, which are suspended from the ceiling. Consequently, A handful of ice cubes later, the turn is played. Meanwhile, To be heard, she ends up screaming the amount in her hands: “it’s 7 euros”. Moreover, The ticket passes from one side of the counter to the other. However, and the waitress makes the currency, three seconds shows in hand. Consequently, The price of consumption, taped behind the coffers, will not have the attention of the servers of the evening. For example, To follow the pace, everything is in the head.

Besides. In addition, behind counter, opening bars closing now a client signals to whom it will see him, arm and finger raised: “Two Steuplé Demis”. Moreover, Distance from the distance, we are silent. Moreover, One of the servers then activates the pulling. Consequently, makes the beers, and now the barge stretches its blue card, skillfully pinching between two fingers. However, Emmanuel grabs the payment terminal, the characteristic small beep is heard, the case is completed. Meanwhile, To the next.

Ten years of experience – Behind counter, opening bars closing

For ten years that he has been used at the market bar for the holidays. However, Emmanuel has noticed changes: “There are many more VSEs (electronic payment terminal) than before. Moreover, With blue cards, phones, connected watches … Similarly, before we refused, now we can’t take it anymore, “he said. For example, Another novelty: “Young people don’t care about the price of the instruction. Consequently, They arrive for a tour without the glasses, so I give behind counter, opening bars closing them and make them pay. However, They come back for the next tour, again shameless! Meanwhile, So they repay. Consequently, But they tell me that they don’t care. Meanwhile, »»

The two counters of the ancient establishment are faced, and overlook the street for the occasion. Nevertheless, “We are fighting to be at the window,” says Emmanuel. Furthermore, It is super cool and it moves, you don’t have time to bother. Indeed. Max, his colleague and former rugby teammate, never ceases to reach out, catching glasses and ice cubes before taking quickly.

“It’s not the rush” – Behind counter, opening bars closing

Inside, customer elbows follow one another at the counter. But the team has the bottle. “There, it’s very quiet,” says he. ” In general, on Wednesday evenings, it’s okay. Additionally, “His colleagues are of the same opinion:” Yes, it’s not the rush, we even have time to take small breaks. “There. behind counter, opening bars closing there are two of us on each side, tomorrow evening we will be four,” says Emmanuel, towel on the shoulder. And even if the crowds will only increase. it ensures “preferring to serve the Bayonne celebrations rather than the ham fair”. “There are so many people that I can’t take a break from 6 pm to midnight. People want to drink and be served all the time. For the holidays, it’s more fluid, because people walk around the city and move, ”he explains.

And pleasant servers, friendly customers. We smile and thank them. Or like Émilie, we take them in the arms: “I ask huh before”, she smiles. Even intoxicated, the festayre must behave well.

“We were festayres before being there”

The next day at Ramuntcho, the atmosphere is full. At 2 am, “I will go where you will go” is played once. But she is “still so successful, even among young people,” said Mathieu, the manager of the bar. behind counter, opening bars closing The same rock steps are linked in rue du Pilori.

On the other side of the counter, the jet bottles 27 flow. We type the discussions on customers, we make checks. “We were festayres before being there,” recalls Ximun, bartender. With one hand, he fills a pitcher with beer. On the other hand, he holds out his arm, a phone in hand for customers who are leaving a photo. All this washed down with a little swaying.

After spending the day to work as an infirmer, Cécilia came to lend a hand to Mathieu, her spouse. “I have the swelling feet,” she is surprised, looking at her ankylosed legs. As she hires at 7:30 a.m. the next day, she spent the night activating the beer drip.

Shared madness

“Can I get on the bar?” “Asks a woman to a busy server. Before it even has an answer, it climbs on the counter. She behind counter, opening bars closing ignites the crowd dancing on the “Goffa Lolita”. A friend joins her. But the tremors have the effect of an earthquake. A glass falls and shatters into a thousand pieces on the ground already strewn with waste.

Being behind the counter is also to be sheltered from night madness. So when someone has a problem, we welcome them without flinching. “Can I go back?” I have my rules, ”a festayre festays. ” Of course ! Here, take stamps, ”helps Cécilia.

For some, the bar is an Ali Baba cave. “Can I take a marker to write on my T-shirt?” Implores a woman leaned to the counter, cigarette in hand. “Wouldn’t you have a condom?” “Guys, haven’t you found a phone?” »Applications of all kinds of all kinds.

Multiply the caps

But sometimes it slips. A man accuses a woman of stolen her phone. Neither one nor two, the glasses fly. A few strokes go with it. Mathieu and Ximun intervene. One with the behind counter, opening bars closing accused, the other with the complainant. Ten minutes and a few swears later, the problem is solved. Managing intoxicated customers, Ximun is used to it. This activity has been part of his daily life for fifteen years. And since then, he has developed multiple caps: “It’s psychology. You have to be there to listen to people. And you have to stay positive. »»

At 3 o’clock, the party is over. We turn off the music. Order of the Town Hall. The revelers implore a last sound, but all the good things have an end. Not enough to discourage them, however. By going back down rue du Pilori. under a string of Basque flags, we sing a Peña Baiona a Capella.

No time to do

The work is finished, but some festayres give sup ‘hours. “Do you take the instructions?” “Asks all twenty -year -old smiles, a dozen plastic cups stacked in their hands. “Even a beer is right?” “At 4 o’clock, some optimists are behind counter, opening bars closing still trying their luck, even trying corruption:” Please, we pay you in cash! Furthermore, ” »»

“It’s psychology. You have to be there to listen to people. And you have to remain positive “

3 hours 30. Once the excitement has passed, no time to do. The bottles started in a tank, the voids in another. “The faster we put away. the faster we get home,” says Ximun, who sometimes prefers to take the path of a Peña than that of his bed. We put the extensions. We enter the box. Then it’s the time of the garbage cans. We bring everything together for the garbage collector who will spend in a few hours. We recover the cups that have been returned. The next morning, the Ecocup company will come and seek them to wash them.

And it continues, again and again

Inside the bar, empty beer barrels block the passage. We are already preparing the evening behind counter, opening bars closing the next day. “The jet is off to a good start, we will resume. Mathieu takes stock of the past stocks. He leaves a message to the brewer who still sleeps. Tomorrow morning, it is he who will come back the barrels. In exchange, he will deliver something to quench the thirst of dehydrated customers.

4 hours. The hour of a well -deserved break. “Okay, are we drinking a blow?” », Enthusiame Mathieu, showing a bottle of rum started. We get out of the fridge a few slices of lying cheeses. a piece of ham to supply the troops. Soon, the valiant will be able to enjoy a few hours of sleep. In four hours, rebelotte. It will already be time to start again.