Earning AbroadWelcome back to Earning Abroad! In this series I’ll introduce you to some inspiring and ambitious friends I’ve met on the road β€” friends who have found viable work away from their home countries.

I’ve been on and off Koh Tao for years now. A lot changes, but one thing remains the same — my first stop is always Banyan Bar, my life’s own version of Cheers. Upon my most recent return in August, Brian, one of the owners — and one of my dearest friends — paused to introduce me to the new crop of bartenders. “And we have you to thank for this one,” Brian said, gesturing towards a bearded Canadian named Ian Brown. Ian, it turns out, had stumbled upon Brian’s own Earning Abroad interview while researching bartending in Thailand in order to continue his impressive streak of seasonal jobs. He went on to message back and forth with the Banyan boys, who told him to stop in for a drink if he ever passed through Thailand. He did, and now he sits at the other side of the bar. I was super thrilled by this small world story, and excitedly peppered Ian with questions about which other of my posts he had read — the answer was a flattering zero.

When we both participated in October’s inaugural Koh Tao Writer’s Retreat, I asked Ian if he’d be willing to regale us with tales of his sordid summer bartending in the party town of Lagos, Portugal. Lucky for us — though unlucky for anyone who cringes at tales of excess alcohol consumption and general good-time having — he said yes. Over to Ian!

Working in Portugal

AB: Walk us through a typical day on the job.

IB: Lagos is a small town nestled in the South Western coast of Portugal’s Algarve region. It’s notorious for its stunning coastline, vibrant nightlife and for once being considered the β€œend of the world.” Every summer the village is overrun with raucous backpackers eager to lap up the good times, which makes it a perfect place to obtain short-term employment, especially at a bar or hostel. I did just this, and found myself working at Three Monkeys, a high-energy cocktail bar where I had some of the best nights of my life while meeting what could be some of the best people in the world.

Three Monkeys Bar, LagosAt Three Monkeys, and Lagos for that matter, the only thing resembling routine is the hangover. Typically the bar opens between 1:00PM and 4:00PM, when one staff member sets up and orders stock while reflecting on the previous night’s debauchery. Due to the rowdy nature of the clientele, minor repairs are often necessary. Sometimes this individual is lucky enough to prepare the bar in peace, but more often than not they are subject to booze fiends getting naked and running amuck. At 9:00PM this poor soul is released into the wild and replaced by the four or five bartenders required to manage the evening carnage. At this point, lights go down, music goes up and the next five hours are a blur of rock β€˜n’ roll-fueled excess. The toughest part of the night is getting everyone out at 2:00AM and counting the money while staggeringly inebriated.

Due to exorbitant alcohol consumption, I used to dread the afternoon shift because making it there on time would require me to cut-down on my much cherished sleep. Plus, when it’s midnight, the bar is packed and you’re raising glasses with best friends, it’s impossible not to have a good time.

How long did you work there?

Living in LagosLike most people I arrived in May to kick off the season and stayed until then end, which falls around September/October. Trust me when I tell you, that’s about as much as even the strongest livers can handle.

How did you come to work in Lagos? What inspired you to find this job?

The summer prior, I spent one week in Lagos, basking in self indulgence while nearly meeting my maker through alcohol. I stumbled out with red eyes, trembling hands and an aching liver, vowing never to return. I’ve decisively concluded this was the worst I’d ever felt in my life.

When I returned home six months later with ambitious intentions of rejoining the civilized world, I quickly realised it was impossible. I began to examine my time in Lagos through the rose coloured lens of hindsight and found myself focusing less on the suicidal come-down and more on the postcard beaches, whitewashed cobblestone streets and the close-knit community of seasonaires. By that point, the decision was made for me and I tossed a one-way ticket on my credit card as fast as my wi-fi connection would permit.

Bartending in LagosOnce in Lagos, I spent every night drinking at Three Monkeys, so it only made sense to seek employment there. After a quick chat with the owner, I was instructed to return the following afternoon for a formal β€œinterview.” To call this the most entertaining interview of my life would be a drastic understatement. To begin, I was instructed to make the majority of the cocktails on the menu, consume them in a timely fashion and spend the next hour chatting about music. That night, I was given a β€œtrial shift” to see if I was capable of performing the necessary tasks while navigating the sea of aggressive alcohol consumption. Five hours and a million shots later, I found myself with a new job and a family of close-knit staff members.

How did your family and friend react to your initial departure?

I felt like I was on trial at Nuremburg. My mother spent days crying and the only other time I’ve seen my father so upset was when I polished off the last of the leftover lasagne in ’98. In their minds I was throwing away my college education in favour of becoming an alcoholic beach comber, which I suppose wasn’t entirely untrue. But after traveling for a year, the thought of spending forty hours a week doing something I didn’t love was a joke. And since buying a home and car are the last things on my to-do list, I decided to opt for lifestyle over money. As for my friends, some of them understood but the vast majority assumed I had abandoned all hope and chosen the life of a hobo… which again I suppose isn’t entirely untrue. But at least I’m happy.

How much money did you make? Was it enough to live on?

Living in LagosI was making enough to get by, but let’s just say we won’t be seeing Donald Trump behind the bar anytime soon. As bartenders, we would take home 30 euros per night, plus tips. So on a good night, you are walking away with 50 euros. I shared an apartment with four friends, which was interesting to say the least. We had three beds, one inflatable mattress, a sofa and what seemed like a minimum of two house guests every night. The apartment had two balconies, a TV, an inflatable pool and we paid 100 euros each per month. When you do the math, after only two bar shifts you’ve sorted out your accommodation for the month and the rest of your wages can be spent frivolously on contraband. Although, it is worth noting that we managed to dupe our landlord into cheaper rent by convincing her that there were only two of us living in the apartment. Since most of us looked similar (long hair, beards, hollow eyes) we successfully convinced her that the five us were in fact just two people and somehow managed to keep up the gag for the duration of our stay.

Most of my disposable income was spent on eating out since you would be more likely to find someone having sex in our kitchen than preparing anything fit for human consumption. A lot of my friends back home wondered how I could afford to drink so much, but everyone in town is so tight that you know all the bartenders and you therefore rarely pay full price. By the end of the summer I had enough cash poked away to take a trip to Germany and Holland, but generally you can expect to break even.

What kind of legal hoops did you have to jump through?

Working in LagosI, like most others, was visiting Portugal as a tourist and working illegally. To my understanding, getting caught would have meant a hefty fine and deportation. Luckily for me, Portugal is wildly corrupt, so whenever immigration was making its rounds, we would get a phone call and jump to the other side of the bar until the fuzz finished their inspection.

Canadians are only permitted to stay ninety days in the Schengen Area of Countries in Europe without a visa, but after five months I pranced through customs hassle-free. I can’t guarantee this will be the case for everyone, but all my acquaintances have and continue to ignore this rule with no consequences.

What skills do you need for this job?

Thick skin, an understanding of music, a personality and most importantly an iron liver. Even though the bar has a strict β€œno asshole policy,” a surcharge for bad manners and a reputation for, quite literally, soaking patrons with poor etiquette, you still have to be able to tolerate a loud and very intense working environment.

Three Monkeys became infamous for the β€œtidal wave shot” that we would deploy with gusto when the time was right. Since Lagos is a backpacker’s hub, many bars compete on price and some tourists are silly enough to approach the bar and try to negotiate free shots. Take my advice and don’t do this. If you do, the bartender will politely ask if you would like a β€œtidal wave” on the house, to which you will eagerly agree. β€œFinally a free drink!,” you will think to yourself before getting a pint of ice water to the face and a free escort to the curb side. In fact, this advice applies globally: please never go to a bar and ask for anything free unless you hate yourself and want to be punished.

Working in LagosThree Monkeys is exceptionally busy every night in high season and you have to be able to work VERY FAST, wash glass, DJ, count money and keep the bar stocked while consuming enough booze to pickle your liver. If you’re interested, here is a good test. Down a bottle of Jameson, funnel two or three beers and try and calculate 4.50 x 7 + 2.50 x 5 with your stereo on 10.

What were the best and worst things about bartending in Lagos?

The best thing is, hands down, the people. Lagos is a melting pot of like-minded hedonists who are simply there for a good time. There is something quite raw and visceral about getting vulnerably intoxicated every night with the same people and I honestly feel closer to friends I met there than some that I’ve known my entire life. Plus, living in paradise didn’t hurt either. Hangover or not, something about plunging into the crystal-clear Portuguese water makes everything OK. The hardest part was simply the self destruction. I’ll let you in on a little secret: alcohol isn’t healthy, and when you consume it literally everyday for five months, it hurts… a lot. There was many a morning when a shot of hot lead to the brain seemed like the only way out. Lots of people arrive in Lagos, only to realise they simply cannot handle it and are left with no choice but to saunter away with their tail between their legs. Having said that, if you are up for it, I guarantee you’ll have the best summer of your life.

Working in PortugalWhat would your advice be to someone looking to do the same?

It sounds clichΓ©, but just do it. Don’t worry about trying to sort out a job before you arrive, it will all work out once you get there. Show up in May with a smile on, order a drink and brace yourself.

What do you know about Portugal that a tourist wouldn’t?

To be honest there was a lot more I learned about myself rather than Portugal specifically. Prior to this experience, I had always thought that long-term travel required a strong reserve of cash. When backpacking how many times have you heard the classic, β€œI’m going home to make some more money and then leave again” story? In Lagos, I learned that this wasn’t the only way. I showed up in Portugal with about $1000, lived decadently for five months, attended a prolific music festival and spent cash quite frivolously yet managed to leave with more than I started with.

Bartending in LagosAs far as Lagos is concerned, there’s a whole other side that I didn’t experience when I was just passing through. You will inevitably befriend the locals, who besides being some of the loveliest people you’ll ever meet, will teach you all the offensive slang you could ever require and take you to some pretty under-the-radar events. For example, every two weeks, there is a jam session at this abandoned farmhouse that starts around midnight and goes well into the morning.Β  These nights will make you reevaluate how you define “weird.”

Are there differences between working in Canada and in Portugal?Β 

Without question. At the most fundamental level, my Portuguese job requirements would probably get me locked up in Canada. Believe it or not, the Canadian government doesn’t take kindly to browbeating people to take shots, lighting the bar on fire and drinking on the job. As I previously mentioned, corruption is rampant in Portugal to a degree that I would never see at home.

Lagos, PortugalBut the biggest difference was probably that I didn’t have to shovel my driveway to get to work every morning.

Was it difficult to transition home and re-enter the mainstream workforce?

For me it was impossible, so I refused to even try. Since leaving Lagos, I’ve continued to work seasonally, which better suits my needs rather than trying to force myself into a role that would, more than likely, make me miserable.

After leaving Lagos I did a brief stint volunteering at Oktoberfest in Munich before returning to Canada where I moved to Whistler to enjoy a season of snowboarding. For money, I continued bartending and also worked as a zipline tour guide.

What are you doing now? What are your plans for the future?

One day, while suffering through the frigid Canadian winter, I was daydreaming of South East Asia and stumbled across this magical blog called Alex in Wanderland. There was an interview with the owner of an establishment called Banyan Bar in Koh Tao, Thailand. After an entertaining back-and-forth with the owners, I moved to the island, have been here for five months, and don’t see a departure in my imminent future. Life is too great for me to start taking it seriously now.

Bartending in Portugal

Thanks for sharing, Ian! Let’s leave him some love in the comments…

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51 Comments...
  • Ashley
    October 30 2014

    I would love to spend a summer in Portugal, but since it usually takes me about 2 days to fully recover from a hangover, I definitely wouldn’t be able to handle working at a bar and drinking every night! Enjoyed reading about his experience, though.

    • Alex
      November 1 2014

      Tell me about it Ashley! I confirmed a few times… “Wait… you drank EVERY. SINGLE. DAY?!” I was always shocked by the answer.

  • Elena
    October 30 2014

    Whoa, staying in EU for over 3 months and not getting busted at the customs! Now that’s what I call luck. My passport and visa(s) + previous visas usually got through thorough inspection with the official actually counting the days, I’ve already used and inquiring how long do I plan to stay this time.

    Anyways, great story, Ian and awesome series, Alex! I love them a lot.

    • Alex
      November 1 2014

      I was most surprised by that answer as well, Elena, and asked a few follow ups! He said his friends have all had the same luck, often playing dumb about Shengen Zone rules if they are questioned. Crazy!

  • Dane
    October 30 2014

    I saw the title and I was hoping you were talking about Lagos! We had planned on ‘passing through’ for a couple nights but then got there and got stuck for one of the funnest weeks of my life. We never bartended but we might as well have for how much time we spent in Three Monkeys & The Old Tavern. Oh man the memories! I spent the night spooning the porcelain because of an international beer bong competition at Three Monkeys. We came in second and it was wonderful. haha. Great post!

    • Alex
      November 1 2014

      This interview has convinced me I might need to check out this bar for myself, however I’m not sure how I feel about international beer bong competitions. I think I’d offer to hold the score card.

  • becky hutner
    October 30 2014

    HA! This was the most entertaining of the Earning Abroads yet. This guy makes me proud to be Canadian. Way to keep the dream alive, dude!

    https://canadianinlosangeles.com/

    • Alex
      November 1 2014

      Keep flying that maple leaf flag, Becky πŸ™‚

  • Emily from Let's Roam Wild
    October 30 2014

    I’ve been to Three Monkeys in Lagos! All true and definitely could not have handled more than a weekend there :). Loved this earning abroad. I’ll have to go check Ian out at Banyan Bar when I’m in Koh Tao in January!

    • Alex
      November 1 2014

      Wish I’d still be here to buy you a drink, Emily! But definitely go say hi πŸ™‚

  • Oh Lagos – I spent a very hedonistic 10 days there in my early 20’s. Such a beautiful place but you wouldn’t catch me dead in a die like Three Monkey’s these days – you definitely have to be young and drunk to enjoy it

    • Alex
      November 1 2014

      Good thing you enjoyed it when you did πŸ™‚

  • Departures With Aimee
    October 31 2014

    This guy has the coolest life ever! I absolutely love Portugal, I’ll definitely be stopping by that place whenever I get the chance. πŸ™‚

    • Alex
      November 1 2014

      I’ve yet to make it to Portugal! Hope to get there someday…

  • Maria McShane
    October 31 2014

    Spent two summers in this town, n man what a spot!!!! Had the best time of my life with some of the sickest souls on the planet. Three monkeys, hands down my favorite bar πŸ˜‰ everything this guy has said about the place is spot on, literally I have spewed his exact lines to so many people and they just don’t get it coz they’ve never been. This place will change your life, so be sure to go for a whole season, coz once you get there, you’ll never want to leave πŸ˜‰ much love xx

    • Ian Brown
      November 6 2014

      Hey Maria, you are totally right… the place is a black hole. I can’t tell you how many time people told me they were staying for two nights, only to find them passed out at the bar three months later.

  • rocky pope
    October 31 2014

    I love lagos! I lived and worked there in 2007/08 worked at inside out and 3monkeys.probably took 10years off my life bit iblike every minute of it. Still have some great mates that live there now full time

    • Ian Brown
      November 8 2014

      Nice one, Rocky. Inside Out is also amazing, I spent more nights there than I would care to admit. And like you said, I think the self-destruction is totally worth it. I mean, those last ten years are bound to be pretty pathetic anyway, right?

  • raff
    October 31 2014

    Ian – having spent holidays for the last 10 years in Lagos I loved your artical – from day one I drank/drink in Monkeys – the staff the owner the music just drew me there. What a welcome every year – sometimes twice a year. People in general in Lagos are great – as u say very welcoming – long live The 3 Monkeys

    • Ian Brown
      November 8 2014

      Wow, a ten year streak… I applaud your perseverance. And I’m sure Kendall, the owner, would be overjoyed to hear how much you enjoy the music. He, and all the staff, put a lot into choosing the right tunes so it’s great to hear that you keep coming back. Cheers.

  • Miquel
    November 2 2014

    I really enjoyed this Earning Abroad. He has a great sense of humor!

    • Ian Brown
      November 8 2014

      Thanks Miquel, I’m glad you were amused by my spiral into the black hole of degeneracy.

  • Jacki
    November 2 2014

    I spent about a week staying with these guys and it was absolute madness. Some of the best times. Everything said here is completely true and something every fun-seeker should experience.

    • Ian Brown
      November 8 2014

      Jacki Dunt? You saucy minx! I can’t believe you stayed in that house as long as you did.. definitely not for the faint of heart. Touche.

  • Isabel
    November 2 2014

    I have been to Lagos. The best place on earth. Loved it. You summed it up perfectly Ian…

  • Sky
    November 5 2014

    Love this series – it’s crazy how small the world can be sometimes. Sounds like an awesome job, though one I would never be able to handle.

    • Ian Brown
      November 8 2014

      You might surprise yourself Sky… it’s amazing how easily you can fall into aggressive alcoholism if you give it an honest go. DARE TO DREAM!

  • Patricia
    November 5 2014

    Lagos is still waiting for ian to come back!

    • Ian Brown
      November 8 2014

      Much love, P.

  • Sarah
    November 7 2014

    I’m always curious how people are able to work in Europe sans visa, so I’m glad to hear playing the dumb tourist works.

    I’ve been to 3 Monkeys and loved Lagos, can’t wait to go back.

    Earning abroad is my favorite series, keep it up!

    • Ian Brown
      November 8 2014

      Hey Sarah, there’s nothing like cheating the system to really ice the cake of your holiday. Perhaps something to consider for the future.

  • Sara
    August 12 2015

    I have been obsessed with your blog for the past month or so (if you’ve seen a spike in views, it’s probably me) because I am thinking of leaving everything and traveling for a while on my own. After coming across this blog post, I feel like this describes why I want to drop everything and go. Not so much to drink excessively but for the endless adventures. I sat here laughing at all the different experiences Ian had on his trips and how they changed his life. Thanks so much for sharing this, you guys are such an inspiration!

    • Alex
      August 12 2015

      That’s so great to hear, Sara! Thank you! I actually have another one of these interviews going live tomorrow, so stay tuned!

  • Sam
    August 25 2015

    Awesome blog Alex! I am planning an extended trip through Southeast Asia and would like to find a way to make some extra money while I am there. How difficult is it to find a bartending job in Koh Tao? I am currently a bartender in the US so I have the experience. Is there a decent chance of finding a job there?

    • Alex
      August 26 2015

      To be honest, it’s fairly hard unless you know someone. The good news is it doesn’t take long to know people around Koh Tao πŸ™‚ But don’t expect to show up and get a job the next day — people want to hire people they’ve seen around for a while, so I’d advise having some savings and being willing to do work like flyering until someone’s ready to hand you a great bartending job. Good luck!

  • Liz
    November 10 2015

    Wow. It almost seems I’m the female version of you. I’m also Canadian and since I began traveling in 2013, I haven’t quite found a way to stop, other than spending a few months bartending here and there to set me up for a few months in a new country where I start everything all over again. I was starting to wonder what I should do with my future but then started thinking maybe I should just keep riding the wave til I’m forced to actually begin life. Our lives are way cooler than most anyways! I’d love to know what you’re up to now!! And if you ever made it to working a season in Ios!

    • Ian
      November 11 2015

      Hey Liz – I’ve been to Ios and toyed with the idea of moving there, but I can’t seem to tear myself away from Thailand. With the exception of a few months here and there, I’ve been in Koh Tao for the past year and a half with no plans of leaving anytime soon. Keep “riding that wave” female-version-of-me!

  • johnnyfish
    February 17 2016

    I spend near on ten years in Lagos after going on an eleven day holiday. Worked in numerous bars and owned one. Some of the best and most unforgettable times of my life. The people, atmosphere, beaches, bars and experiences. If there is one thing in life to do it’s to let go and enjoy yourself and there is no better place than Lagos.

    • Alex
      February 18 2016

      Sounds like I need to head there someday myself πŸ™‚ Thanks for sharing the happy memories!

  • Aaron Maloney
    February 17 2016

    I used to work at this very bar! Missing Kendall very much! Truely the greatest bar in Portugal by far!!! X!!

    • Alex
      February 18 2016

      Thanks for stopping by, Aaron! I’ll have to check out this Three Monkeys place for myself someday…

  • Oh my gawd haha. I worked in an outback pub in Australia and it didn’t matter how quiet it was, I was drinking A. LOT. EVERY. NIGHT. But I definitely couldn’t have done that atmosphere every night! Maybe a sign of getting old lol!

    • Alex
      August 24 2016

      That sounds like a wild job! I’d love to do the same someday πŸ™‚

  • TINA
    March 12 2017

    Hey Ian, you have captured the essence of Lagos to a T. My son Cailin spent 5 years living and working at The three monkeys Bar. My husband and I had two trips to Logos and enjoyed them so much. Kendall still keeps in touch with us and he has actually visited and stayed with us here at our home. Your parents would have loved a trip there to visit you in Portugal. However it is like living in a wonderland and hard to leave to come back to reality. Everyone needs a trip to Logos and the Three Monkeys. Rock on and keep up your travels but keep safe. All Moms worry about their sons!

    • Alex
      March 20 2017

      Hey Tina! I sent this comment to Ian and a few of his friends at Three Monkeys and they loved it. Thanks for the smiles!

  • Maddie Braun
    March 4 2018

    This was so helpful!
    I’m a Canadian university student who spent August 2017 in Lagos and is planning to go back this may to work for the summer. I have gotten in contact with Three Monkeys for employment there! I would love to talk more about your experiences!!

    • Alex
      March 7 2018

      Good luck, Maddie! Hope I get to see this Three Monkeys for myself, someday πŸ˜‰

  • Nick Robinson
    November 11 2018

    I have lived in the Algarve for 18 years and have slept on the beach, partied in Lagos, Praia da Rocha, Albufeira, Vilamoura and Faro but never have I heard the deep inside story of the Three Monkeys bar. Next summer it’s high on my list to experience. If only I could attempt to capture it on video! Thanks for a great post guys.

    • Alex
      November 12 2018

      Let us know what you think when you get there πŸ˜‰ From what Ian wrote, sounds pretty wild!

      • Nick Robinsonh
        November 12 2018

        Thanks Alex, I will be sure to let you know. Get in touch when you come to Portugal, I could point you in the right direction if you’d like to hang out with a bunch of bloggers, vloggers and Instagrammers. It HAS to be on your list, right?

        • Alex
          November 17 2018

          Someday… everywhere is on my list πŸ™‚

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