HAY RIVER - Shannon Hogan greets most people who walk into Hogie's, the bar she manages, by name.

Shannon Hogan gets a drink ready at Hogie's, the bar she manages in Hay River. - Elizabeth McMillan/NNSL photo

"Half the fun of being a server is being social," she says. "They should come in as a customer and leave as an acquaintance, that's always been my philosophy."

Her job doesn't just consist of pouring and refilling drinks. She takes care of scheduling, inventory, staffing and event planning.

Trained as a legal administrator, Hogan says she enjoys interacting with people and prefers it to office work.

"My dream since I was 14 was to own my own bar," she says, adding that she started serving as a teenager and worked in various hospitality roles in Nova Scotia, P.E.I and Alberta.

The 23-year-old first came to visit Hay River three years ago after her parents, Charlotte and Ron Hogan, moved to the town.

Hogan helped her parents renovate the bar, known as the Boo, and was in charge of choosing the decor. She says she wanted less of a club feel and a more inviting, comfortable atmosphere. They toned down the bright red ceiling and gray walls, installing booths, tables and two pool tables.

"I want customers to feel very relaxed when they come in here," she says. "I get satisfaction in knowing they had a good experience."

Since the bar opened July 17, business has been growing and Hogan hopes to continue building a customer base. She wants to draw more people in with theme nights and special events. The first country night was Aug. 26 and people arrived ready to kick back and two step, some wearing hats and cowboy boots.

"The bar isn't going to be anything unless you have things going on that make it different than the rest," Hogan says, while reviewing scheduling and choosing music simultaneously.

Far from a nine-to-five job, Hogan typically starts her day at 3 p.m. and doesn't finish until the last patron leaves. She can be found behind the bar almost every day of the week, bantering with customers and her seven staff.

"You have to be able to think on the spot," she says of the challenges of being a bartender. She says it takes "creativity, patience and math skills," as well as an outgoing attitude.

Hogan says she's famous for her "Say What" martini – a drink of her own invention, which only her staff know the recipe for, and for being able to concoct a drink to satisfy any craving, even if the customers don't always know exactly what they want when they order.

"My Caesars are to die for," she says, laughing.

She says she loves everything about her job, but admits it can be frustrating trying to monitor people's alcohol intake and curb aggressive behaviour.

"You have to be able to stand your ground," she says.

As yet another person arrives, Hogan is off to greet them and take their order. She says she couldn't ask for a better job.

"It offers me lots of independence and freedom to do what I want," she says. "I have no complaints … I can see myself doing this for 10 years, maybe more."