Name/alias: Jay Clark Reid.
Current bar: The Local.
How long in the business: 20 years.
First drink/drunk: I was always allowed a little beer or wine as a youngster. My first real inebriation experience involved some homemade dandilion wine followed by a smashing hangover.
What influences me: I’ve always worked in beer and whiskey joints, though I do a pretty good job of the classics. Some of the staff at Hopgoods Foodliner come in regularly for my manhattans.
Best barfly: A lady who was a regular of mine contracted cancer a couple of years ago. We became friends and I became her confidante during her treatment. Before she moved away she thanked me for treating her like a human during her convalescence and told me I was an inspiration while she was going through it. She still comes to visit while she’s in town though she lives halfway around the world.
Cinematic bartender: Nick in It’s a Wonderful Life. “We serve hard drinks to men who wanna get drunk fast and we don’t need any characters to give the place atmosphere.” Best bartender line ever.
Rules: I’ll make whatever people want but I can’t guarantee I won’t make fun of you.
Celebrity experiences: My first job in Toronto was at Allen’s on the Danforth. Geddy Lee came in on my second day or something. Ordered a half-pint of Amsterdam Nut Brown. I was a giant Rush fan then and now and I tried to make him sing the chorus from ” Take Off.” He wasn’t impressed… Served lots of famous and semi-famous since. It’s that kind of town.
Best late-night or morning-after places: Vesta Lunch on Dupont. Amico’s Pizza on Queen makes one of the top pies in the city and are open til 4 thurs to sat. I drink all over the place but especially like the Press Club on Dundas. On Monday nights my old buddy Ian hosts Domestic Bliss. Rock and Roll. Cheap Stratford pints and Pulled Pork Nachos.
Brunch or breakfast?: I hate brunch and make breakfast at home.
Best /worst tip: A very generous man named Stuart who would buy the whole bar a shot, drink a few pints and sing the Queens University fight song. He regularly spent several hundred and would match it for the tip. He passed away last year and is missed everywhere not just for his generosity but his joie de vivre as well.
Favourite cocktail/beer/wine right now: Condutor’s Craft Ale, Kraken and Coke.
Watch for: My Buddy Chris Staig, a virtuoso guitar player and killer songwriter is doing every Wednesday in May with his Marquee Players. Also, I have the pleasure of playing Bass with my wife Ida Nilsen in her band Great Aunt Ida. I will be performing with her and the rest of the band at the Local on June 6th showcasing songs from her killer disc “Nuclearize Me”.
The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave.
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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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