He might have a ponytail and gold hoop earring, but unlike many of the young female bartenders that he says are popular these days, Michael Johns is no top-shelf femme fatale.

Johns, 55, who you'll find behind the bar at Davies Locker, has proved his staying power, however, tending bar on and off at this Westminster watering hole for the past 30 years.

"I'm a bartender...that's what I do," Johns said. "This is the closest thing I could find to get paid at without really working."

Johns, originally from the Westminster area, started bartending at Davies Locker back in 1977. Although he's left a few times, most recently pulling a three-year stint serving tequila for cowboys up in Cheyenne, Johns always seems to return to Davies Locker, where the most popular way to get liquor is in a shot glass and patrons down draft beer from a mason jar.

Over the years, Davies Locker, and Johns himself, have retained a number of loyal customers, mostly a mixture of blue-collar folks, sports fans, CEOs and motorcycle enthusiasts, Johns said.

"I've seen a lot of old faces [since coming back]," said Johns just before pouring out shots of Southern Comfort at 10:30 a.m. one Friday morning.

Tuesday through Friday, Johns works the morning shift from 7 a.m. to noon, then works the night shifts Saturday and Sunday nights.

Johns is a mixer of all trades.

"You're a combination of baby sitter, marriage counselor, financial advisor and psychologist," Johns said. "You have to wear many different hats here."

One of the things Johns likes best about working at Davies Locker is the freedom he has with the bottles. Johns has become known for a shot he created called the Raspberry Whip. A favorite among female clientele, this shot is a mixture of raspberry liquor, vodka, orange juice and cream.

"Actually, a lot of the guys have started ordering them," Johns said with a grin.

Although some might call the Raspberry Whip a work of art, Johns actually uses charcoal or pencil to create his real masterpieces. In his spare time, Johns likes to do portrait sketches. He also is working on a book about, what else, the bar business.

"They say write what you know," Johns said.

Johns hopes to include experiences and personal stories in the book. With a few decades worth of material to choose from, including his own wedding reception at Davies Locker that ended with his best man removing his tuxedo on the dance floor, Johns hopes it will make for interesting reading.

Over the years, Johns has considered getting his own bar and says it's still a possibility if the conditions are right.

Johns said he's always told people if he had his own place he'd name it, "The One-more-no-(expletive) Lounge."

In 30 years, it's the phrase Johns says he hears most often..."One more, no (expletive). Then I really gotta go."