The sheer versatility of cocktails (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) means there’s one out there for every palate, but what is it that makes a drink truly great? The setting has to be perfect and it helps to be in good company, but what really makes the difference is the skill of the person mixing it for you.
Vancouver has earned a reputation for being one of the best places in Canada to sip on world-class cocktails – a feat made possible by the city’s bartenders pushing the envelope and providing the best service possible.
‘The bartending community in Vancouver is very well connected to global cocktail culture, but it’s also extremely tight knit,’ says Katie Ingram, the head bartender at L’Abattoir. ‘There’s a very strong sense of family here. We all come together to help each other out, and competitions are more about cheering each other on and learning from one another. Vancouver is special because it’s very diverse – not many people who live in our city actually grew up here, myself included. Because of this we’re able to take inspiration from not just our city, but all over the world.’
Katie is just one of many bartenders that have helped shape Vancouver’s thriving nightlife. They share ideas, promote the scene as a whole and use global competitions to put their city on the map. ‘I fell in love with cocktails from the very first sip,’ she explains. ‘Something about it was so magical, and I just loved the creative outlet it provided. I dabbled a bit at the restaurant I was working in at the time, but it wasn't until I met industry veteran Lauren Mote and started working at UVA Wine & Cocktail Bar that I learnt how to actually tend bar.’
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Cocktails in Canada: the Vancouver bar scene
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