All Images: Kerry and Ivy Knight

Name/alias:  Rob Turenne
Current bar: Parts & Labour (Which is hosting a Friday night event, “White Girl,”  featured in this week’s Do Make Say Think)
How long in the business:  Over a decade

First drink/drunk: Jungle juice from dad’s liquor cabinet. All booze taken was replaced with water. Somehow got away with it on a number of occasions. Kids are dumb.

What influences me: Dragons!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love the classic approach to making drinks. Simple and straightforward, although I do tend to over-complicate things sometimes.  Having a full kitchen and rooftop garden helps to spur ideas.

Best barfly: We used to have an elderly gentleman (must have been in his late 80s) come by almost nightly. He was mean to everyone, but became a staple at the bar. He was rude, never tipped, but did have some good stories. Hope things are swell, Herman!

Cinematic bartender: Lloyd from The Shining. Pure class.

Rules: Behind the bar there should be no rules. As a bartender, you are in the business of hospitality. It is on you to do everything you can to accommodate any request. Wait…. I guess there are some limitations. 

Celebrity experiences: There have been quite a few. Rowdy Roddy Piper at one of the first restaurants I worked in. They Live…… Greatest fight scene in cinema history, “PUT ON THE GLASSES!! PUT EM ON!!”

Best late-night or morning-after places: My couch. Me and my girlfriend are snack masters. The Yukon just opened in the neighbourhood and everyone should check it out. Great spot! Morning after, anywhere my girlfriend Rachel and I can bring our dog, Buddy McPalserson.  We really like Ka Chi on Bloor and Mitzi’s Cafe on Sorauren. 

Best/worst tip: I have worked in a country where tipping is not expected, so every time someone leaves anything behind on the bar I remind myself of that. There are a lot of very generous people out there and equally as many who are not. It is not up to me to judge, as long as I do my job to the highest standard, I have fulfilled my end of the bargain.

Favourite cocktail/beer/wine right now:  Was, is, and always will be, the Daiquiri. Sugar, lime, and a good rum. Chug a lug.

Watch for: Some great shows coming up in The Shop.  Check our website for all upcoming listings: Partsandlabour.ca

Parts & Labour, 1566 Queen St. W

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Kerry and Ivy Knight write the XX Files column for Toronto Standard. Follow them on Twitter at @keppsterr and @IvyKnight.

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