Name/alias: Alex Treiber
Current bar: Martini Club
How long in the business: Almost 4 years, I was a busser for Martini Club for 3 years+, recently moved into the mixology/bartending business in the fall of 2011.
First drink/drunk: A whole 26 oz. of vodka. I’m not much of a vodka drinker anymore…
What influences me: All of Martini Club’s drinks are hand-crafted by owners Michelle Hunt and Laura Panter. Everything that we serve is inspired by the latest trends! Most of the events that we work have their very own themed menu to boot. It’s pretty awesome how much care and time is put into each of our drinks. At Martini Club we consider ourselves mixologists — not bartenders — because a lot of the drinks we make are quite the craft!
Best barfly: Since we’re always at different venues we don’t really have any regulars at the bar, but it always seems that you have the same kind of personalities at every party. The guy who wants more than he can handle, the customer that always wants a double… etc. Regulars are fun but meeting new people at every event is more fun!
Cinematic bartender: Every bartender that has ever served James Bond his “shaken not stirred” Martini. Because James Bond is the man!
Rules: I’m a firm believer of the motto: “try it before you disguise it.” At Martini Club, we make a lot of new drinks with all kinds of different ingredients, and while our drinks our always delicious I think it is important you try the liquor (or beer, as we even make beer cocktails!) on its own. You can’t actually understand the drink and the notes it’s trying to hit until you try it on its own!
Celebrity experiences: I’ve worked a TIFF premiere and recently served the entire Maple Leafs team (and Elisha Cuthbert who’s dating the captain) so that was pretty awesome!
Best late-night or morning-after places: My favourite place to go for late night eats will always be Sneaky Dees. Their King’s Crown nachos are amazing (and pretty cheap considering how much food you get!) There have been times were I have demanded that my friends and I go after a night out and been more than happy to pay for the nachos just because of my need to eat there!
Another great place to go (though a bit pricier) has to be Reservoir Lounge on Wellington. It’s a jazz bar with a great vibe and amazing artists!
For breakfast, Golden Griddle, any location. The food is so good and so greasy.
Best /worst tip: We actually don’t get tipped at the Martini Club because most of events our open bar, so any tip is great!
Favourite cocktail/beer/wine right now: I find that the more I serve of a certain drink the more I drink it outside of work. Recently, I’ve been serving a lot of Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey Whiskey, consequently I’ve been drinking a lot of it! I’ve never been a big whiskey drinker, and if you’re like me, this is the whiskey for you! It’s pretty sweet in flavour, but it’s extremely smooth and doesn’t have the same harshness of the original Jack. Best served straight on ice, FYI.
Watch for: Although I’m not entirely sure what Laura and Michelle have up their sleeves for 2012 I’m sure it will be innovative and very exciting! One trend that I think will crossover from 2011 to 2012 is the rise of Beer Cocktails! You might be thinking to yourself, “Beer Cocktails?!?” however have no fear, they’re actually really tasty! Think of your favourite beer (Molson M, Molson 67 etc.) mixed with all kinds of great ingredients — try cinnamon and cranberry juice, for one! You’ll be surprised by how good they are!
Martini Club, 55 Mill Street, Building 36, Toronto, ON, M5A3C4
_______
Kerry and Ivy Knight write the XX Files column for Toronto Standard. Follow them on Twitter at @keppsterr and @IvyKnight.
For more, follow us on Twitter at @torontostandard, and subscribe to our newsletter.
