| “ | Do you want to hear the story of The Bartender? | „ |
| ~ Nile, from Necrophobia |
| “ | Are you happy, Mr. Brahms? | „ |
| ~ Walter Osborne, from Rigor Mortis |
The Bartender 1941, also known as The Bartender or Mr. Brahms, is a malicious supernatural apparition that haunts the abandoned establishment of West Eden Tavern. He appears in the Creepypasta stories: "Necrophobia" and "Rigor Mortis".
This supernatural undead is a sadistic and brutal figure who plagues a once lively bar in 20th-century New York. The hauntings nonetheless exist today as it still lingers to toy with the living.
Origin[]
Much isn't known about the Bartender's past private life. Before he died, he seldom talked about his personal experiences; not even close relationships could get him to open up. Most of his information and connections remains unknown.
Before its appearance, a former employee died within the perimeter during the early 1940s before the tavern officially shut down in 1945. Many stated that it was the dead bartender who haunts its grounds. However, many countered, saying the revenant is the Devil or another unworldly creature in disguise, disturbing humankind through its wrath. Others implied another spirit took their carcass as a vessel. In the end, various theories were cut short throughout the years. Despite everything, the people who knew of their unquenched lust for flesh and blood named the being The Bartender. The digit “1941” was later added to its name--the number represents the year the main bartender died; it’s also the same year when the infamous entity emerged.
Many sightings and evidence led to the existence of The Bartender, yet some chose to discard the information. The topic itself was absurd; falsified intel and ghoul stories to boost the town’s attraction. As many held the tale, it became a folktale to prevent young children from wandering too far into the woods.
Appearance[]
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Reference Sheet by PaxArsenal
The Bartender holds the appearance of a towering humanoid adult male, or a hideous, decapitated corpse with hard, dark skin, wearing an outdated bartender uniform. The attire incorporates an ebony vest suit with matching dress pants, footwear, and tie. Other accessories include a silver string hanging by the side of its pockets (possibly a pocket watch or necklace), a broken 1930s Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso watch, sleeve garters, fingerless gloves, and a tie clip. Their clothing is contaminated with decomposing blood, essentially from the upper body. The creature notably smells like rotten cheese and decaying charred flesh. It’s speculated to be bacteria coming from its wound.
From the mandible and tongue, their upper skull is missing; what remains is the endless pool of clotted blood trickling down and other gruesome features. Fragments of the crown are still visible in the back hole. A black smoke-like substance wavers ever so slowly through the opening as dismal black smog gently flows throughout the building. The smoke is said to be blazing hot, toxic to some, and addicting to others.
*The Core is the heart of The Bartender’s existence or the very soul of the fiend. The Core is a circular ball radiating powerful heat. A small white glow laces the outer layers of the life source. Their body acts as a protective shield while hidden inside the creature. It burns actively to hover and make more smoke. It’s their power source; after all, it keeps them alive.
Height: 6”0 ft (Decapitation)
Weight: 186-229 lbs (Decapitation)
Personality & Behavior[]
The Bartender 1941’s personality remains uncertain yet displays aggressive behavior towards humans and other living things. He will be hostile when provoked or if the chase is delayed within the time spotted or out of sight. Mutilation or strangulation of the victim’s body is common. Other effects include carbon dioxide poisoning. It’s best advised not to get close to the abandoned tavern.
Abilities & Skills[]
Abilities[]
- Building Manipulation: The ability to manipulate the tavern into a liminal space--walls, floors, furniture, doors, windows--most, if not all, of its interior that is considered tangible. It's unlikely that this ability affects the exterior.
- Smoke Manipulation: The Bartender's smoke coming from their body is staunchly potent and ashy. It is either toxic or addicting, likewise both for victims. Death and symptoms via their smoke is the equivalent of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Mind Manipulation/Hallucinations: A usability to their smoke's effects; a great amount of vapor intake could result in hallucinations and decreased mental fortitude, each person succumbing to different scenarios and outcomes. Every individual's experience is unique, as the process can inflict immediate pain or gradually wear down the victim. In the end, it wouldn't matter since their minds will cave into the distortion.
- Telepathy/Inaudibility: Bereft of their upper jaw, The Bartender is rendered unable to communicate through speech, reduced to gurgles and groans. However, they possess a form of telepathy, although their capabilities are constrained.
- Sixth Sense: The ability to sense heat.
Strengths[]
- Physical Strength: They exhibit a profuse of physical power thanks to their mesomorph body. The Bartender is naturally strong.
- Enhanced Speed: The Bartender exhibits surprising speed when provoked or driven to hostility. They will relentlessly pursue their target, undeterred even by their blindness, although sluggish in movement due to their tight uniform.
Weaknesses[]
- Loss of Senses: The depletion of hearing, sight, and general speech.
- Controlled Stamina: Although fit and strong for their physique, The Bartender still needs to regain energy to give chase or track their victims after an intense hunt.
- General Harm: Any force of pain will still do The Bartender harm.
The 1941 Incident: Origin[]
Newspaper covering the incident
Westchester County Newsletter: Tragedy at West Eden Tavern[]
A tragic death occurred inside the illustrious tavern West Eden on Tuesday, December 9, 1941, sometime around ten o'clock. In the interest of the victim, their family, and others, all parties involved must maintain their anonymity, except for the victim's last name, Mr. Brahms. Bystanders witnessed an unidentified brawl that resulted in Mr. Brahms being shot dead by an unknown firearm. The body lay decapitated underneath the bar counter when discovered.
Before the arrival of the police, the alleged suspects left the crime scene. The authorities failed to locate the murder weapon and find the escapees. There was also an absence of identifying the bullet. Experts shall commence an interrogation among customers and staff while investigators intend to examine the building and the corpse. Following the removal of the body and thorough cleaning and sanitization of the pub, a new investigation will start.
Due to additional safety precautions and consideration for the deceased, the establishment intends to shut down for a few months.
Source: XXXXX, XXX. “Tragedy at Haven’s Bar.” Westchester County Newsletter, 10 Dec. 1941, pp. A1.
Individual Reports[]
#1: “There was a request for cremation on December 18th, 1941, but according to the Undertaker, its wounds never stopped bleeding. There was a brief halt in the cremation process.”
#2: “On the night of December 25th, the corpse of Mr. Brahms was reported missing.”
Trivia/Facts[]
- The Bartender could potentially die if they left the bar.
- The dead bartender's full name shall remain anonymous with the exception of their surname.
- After Mr. Brahms’s corpse disappeared, his employer bought a gravestone and placed it in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery as a substitute for the missing body. The stone’s located near the Headless Horseman Bridge.
- They have known phobias towards mirrors, firearms, rodents, and likely cases of isolation and abandonment.
- The Headless Horseman (The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, 1820) and the Dullahan are the first and foremost principle inspirations for their design and characteristics.
- Although set in a fictional town, the location takes place in a real county (Westchester County) in New York.
- The bar has been revamped from a bar to a tavern; Haven's Bar to West Eden Tavern.
- The character exists as a "nonfictional" urban legend and a Creepypasta.
- The Bartender 1941's creator is PaxArsenal.
Narrations[]
Misc./External Links[]
Theme Song/s:
- Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90 - III. Poco allegretto by the Berliner Philharmoniker / Claudio Abbado (from Johannes Brahms)
- Davy Jones Music Box from the Pirates of the Caribbean
- The Phantom of the Opera by Prague Cello Quartet
- Once Upon A December by Invadable Harmony (from Anastasia)
- Run, Rabbit Run! by Flanagan and Allen
Voice Claim: Samug (Benedict Cumberbatch) from The Hobbit
Creator's Linktree: Linktree Link
Other:
- Outdated Creepypasta, 2020: "The Bartender 1941"
- Song Playlist