Bartenders
I grew up in Kent - the ‘garden (or sh*thole) of England’, depending on your experiences… Went to uni in Bath, where I fell in love with cocktails and hilarious west country accents.
I learned the ropes at Sub 13, Bath, worsened my banter at Shaker & Company, worked with the might of the City at Steam & Rye, and have recently welcomed The Cocktail Trading Co into the world, the love child of myself, Andy Mil and Olly Brading.
When I go out for drinks, I like to be able to drink tasty things - beer, wine, cocktails (ideally not served by wankers) - not be hungry, and hear my friends speak easily. Places like Happiness Forgets are ideal. Door 74 in Amsterdam is great, too - a speakeasy-style that isn’t afraid to get properly raucous (a more faithful representation of illegal parties for bootleggers?). Recently, Sovereign Loss in Brixton has become my favourite.
This varies a lot - I tend to fall upon flavour combinations and exploit them until I’m completely done. That said, a properly made Gimlet has lasted longer than most as a favourite
I once sold someone a Pepsi when they specified Coca Cola. #GotAwayWithIt #OffTheRails #YOLO
No, actually.
Probably doing it on a bar. After that, opening HMSS in Bristol, which is gonna be awesome.
“You’re maybe a 7 out of 10, which is alright, so I’m worried that you won’t put the effort in later”. That satisfies both - credit to a nameless colleague.
I was once checking a booking on my phone behind the bar, and popped my phone in my mouth (as you do) while I entered details into the till. At this point, I sneezed, and with the reflex movement of my head, knocked my phone halfway down my throat and proceeded to be sick behind the bar. On a Tuesday.
A recent favourite - Ron de Jeremy, stirred down with a spiced apple reduction, Pedro Ximinez and Sauternes. ‘Getting my Semillon’.
Gin, wet with a twist. Stirred anti-clockwise, unless I’m in the southern hemisphere.
An actor, so if I could successfully pull off being a responsible bar owner.