Name/alias: Leah /“Excuse me, miss…”
Current bar: The Churchmouse and Firkin
How long in the business: 9 years
First drink/drunk: Like so many other teenagers, vodka, that I had syphoned from some adult’s twenty-sixer and decanted in a plastic bottle. I was throwing my best friend a surprise birthday party- by the time she had shown up, I was only able to stand and utter the word “happy” and the sound “birf”… before the inevitable happened. She has never let me forget it, but still made me a bridesmaid in her wedding last fall!
What influences me: People! I love talking to people and socializing, so I name all my cocktails after the people I make them for. A “Sara Soda” is still my fav! I think it’s great when someone ‘doesn’t know what they like to drink’- it’s like playing detective, trust me, I’ll figure out what you like to drink.
Best barfly: We have the BEST regulars ever- hands down (they match perfectly with the insane staff). The only appropriate story I can think of is about the giant wedding photo we got from one of the funniest couples ever. They are two handsome and dapper men, who gave us a wedding photo of the two of them standing back to back in a meadow… wearing sassy little wedding dresses.
Cinematic bartender: Moe Syzlak from The Simpsons- surly and always has pickled eggs on hand! Plus he wears a bow tie.
Rules: Please do not order a pitcher of Guinness- it was not made to be poured out of a pitcher, just doesn’t taste as good.
Celebrity experiences: I once served George Stroumboulopoulos (I have a huge crush on him). I giggled like a schoolgirl when he ordered a non-alcoholic beer. So cute.
Best late-night or morning-after places: I really like Drift. It’s in the west end, just around Bloor and Dufferin. Amazing service, awesome selection, and incredible food! The decor is my favourite part. Holy Oak Cafe is another cool place, it has a lot of little events (games night, jazz bands, etc), and is super cozy. For the morning after, Churchstreet Diner, delicious. Just delicious.
Best /worst tip: Somebody once drew me an amazing abstract-type picture of me bartending, on a cocktail napkin. It was incredible.
Favourite cocktail/beer/wine right now: I am a single-malt scotch fan. The Caledonian on College has an amazing scotch selection- they even have little scotch flights, that let’s you try a bunch of different scotches.
Watch for: Finally the Firkin will have cocktail pitchers!!! Just in time for patio season. Mmmm… And we are having our 8th birthday on June 14th! Last year, we had a dj on our patio and a couple of drag queens who were literally doing cartwheels in the middle of the street. The Churchmice love to party- this year will be fierce!
The Churchmouse and Firkin, 475 Church St. Toronto
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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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