XX Files—our weekly item on Toronto’s better bartenders.

Name/alias Robin Kaufman

Current bar Toronto Temperance Society

How long bartending 6 years

Your first drink/drunk On a family trip to Florida, when I was 12, my older brother was making everyone blended margaritas and sneaking me some. I just thought it tasted like a 7/11 slurpie. Later I found myself hiding under the coffee table thinking no one could see me. It was a glass table.

Influences When I was taught how to make cocktails, there was a huge emphasis on learning classics first, so I’m still influenced by all those old recipes, and variations of them.

Best barfly One of my regulars claimed to be an ex-Mob hitman. He was about 80 years old, limped slightly from a bullet lodged in his hip and was covered in gold. I’ve never heard so many devastating “one punch K.O.” stories in my life.

Favourite cinematic bartender Doc from The Boondock Saints

Rules There is a time and place for every drink. Leave your ego out of the cocktail.

Celebrity experiences I once served Stone Cold Steve Austin, in full camo gear. He, with perfect articulation, ordered one of our nicest bottles of Italian wine for the table. Watching this huge dude in camo describing the tasting notes was one of my happier moments.

Best late-night or morning-after places Being new to Toronto, all I know is a buddy’s house or the Gladstone Cafe for a poutine. For the morning-after, I got to Pho Tien Thanh for Vietnamese on Ossington. There’s nothing like a bowl of pho when you feel a little rusty.

Best tip ever One of the finest, and rarest Cuban cigars money can buy.

Favourite cocktail/beer/wine right now The Rye Sazerac

Watch out for We have started a Sunday night industry night — no membership required.

Toronto Temperance Society, 577 College St. (above Sidecar)

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