We chat cocktails and career paths with the man behind the inventive sips at Nightingale. —Aurea Dempsey
Q: How long have you been bartending?
A: While I’ve only been behind the wood for about six years, my passion for spirits and cocktails dates further back. Thanks to a brother who force-fed me whiskey at a young age, I found myself obsessed the older I got and began writing about all things alcohol on my own blog and then for other websites and publications. This inevitably led me to bartending, and apprenticing in Vancouver, which then brought me to Nightingale.
Q: What drew you to the team at Nightingale?
A: Both the challenges of opening a restaurant, which I’d never done before, and working in a very different environment and neighborhood than my comfort zone. More than anything though, I was excited by the prospect of working with such an incredibly talented, experienced and knowledgeable group of people. From ownership to management, to my co-manager on bar, Alex, it’s a top-notch team.
Q: Any milestones or top highlights in my bartending career?
A: Highlights and milestones for me personally are measured best in the success of the business and how exciting we can make our experiences for our guests. Being able to offer something unique to a guest that makes them want to come back again and again is the greatest highlight you can hope for. Career-wise, I’d say a top highlight is getting to work with the most people within the Hawksworth Group.
Q: What has inspired your career?
A: Definitely my brother, who instilled (or should I say ‘distilled (!)’) in me—not just a recreational interest in alcohol, but an educational one too. I’d also say my personal passion for wartime history, culture and art have played a role in my interest for alcohol and its heritage. My earliest experiences of drinking cocktails in Gastown, San Francisco and Seattle also greatly inspired me to pursue something professional too.
Q: Best piece of bartending advice you’ve ever received?
I was lucky to have apprenticed under some of the most experienced bartenders in Vancouver. Memories of my training are more of emulation than of verbal advice. Namely carrying the attitude of always—always—putting the guest before your own ego. It’s not about me or my drinks or the bar or the competitions or the titles, and so on. It’s about guest experience. That’s all that really matters.
Q: Strangest request you’ve ever had from a guest?
A: While I’ve had many strange requests for drinks. But going back to putting the guest first, I’ll hold off sharing out of respect for their preferences!
Q: If you were a cocktail ingredient you’d be?
A: Hmm… Bourbon. Strong but approachable. Everyone’s bound to like me too. They just haven’t met me properly yet J.
Q: At the end of the night, what drink do you pour yourself?
A: Whiskey.
Q: Person you’d most like to see taking a seat at your bar?
A: Anyone interested and open when it comes to drinking.
Q: Your bartending/shift pump-up song?
A: Mostly metal, but Hall & Oates is a must.
Q: Coolest ingredient you’re playing with currently?
A: This changes daily, but Poire Williams from Okanagan Spirits has become a regular in many of my mixes as of late.
Q: What’s your secret bartending weapon?
A: I’d have to say my dedication to personalized service. Meaning, choosing the right products for the right times, and never relying on one thing. My other secret weapon would be avoiding come across as pretentious, as so many people assume bartenders are going to be—especially downtown.
Q: What is a signature of yours? What makes a Rhett-caliber cocktail?
A: Probably something most people don’t realize. Most guests just want to enjoy a drink and don’t want an essay along with it, and for good reason. I’m usually the same way. However, if you ever do ask me, I put onus on myself to always have a story with everything I pour. My feeling is if there’s no story, why do I have it? Why did I make it? Especially when it comes to dealer’s choice cocktails. Picking the right drink, for the right guest, for the right reason is imperative.
Q: What’s something that surprises people about you?
A: You’d have to ask the people, haha!
Q: Tell us a pro tip about Nightingale:
A: Come open minded with friends and let us lead your experience.
Q: What’s the coolest thing about being a bartender?
A: For me, making a living sharing one of my biggest passions in life, with a wealth of different people every day.
Q: If you weren’t a bartender what is your parallel life career?
A: I’ve been a musician my entire life and it’s something I will continue to do long after I stop shaking drinks, I’m sure 🙂
Nightingale,1017 W. Hastings Street, Vancouver. (604) 695-9500.
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