XX Files - Ben Deacon @ Acadia
XX Files—our weekly item on Toronto’s better bartenders.
Name/alias: Benjamin Deacon/Benny
Current bar: Acadia Restaurant and Bar
How long in the business
5 years around the world, only 7 months in Toronto so far
What was your first drink/drunk:
I remember when I was 16 my mum dropped me and a bottle of vodka off at a party. Being the expert bartender back then I thought drinking it straight was a good idea. Ended up throwing up in the back of my girlfriend’s mum’s car. Needless to say, we are not together.
What influences you?
Definitely what fresh produce is in season. I believe to make great drinks you need the freshest possible ingredients. Currently, Scott (the owner) and I are working on bringing some timeless classics back, with a bit of a twist.
Best barfly experience
The best barfly experiences I have had would have to be in Ios, Greece when I worked there for a couple of summers. It’s amazing the kinds of things people will do for free drinks, most of which is inappropriate for me to say.
Who is your favourite cinematic bartender and why?
I can’t actually say that I have a favourite cinematic bartender but I can tell you about a real life one. Chris McMillian from New Orleans has been working in the industry for over 20 years and he demonstrates exactly how bartenders should be while tending bar. He’s knowledgeable, talkative and makes you feel welcome. I think every city needs more people like him.
Rules?
No rules here, the answer is always yes. If someone wants a cosmopolitan or sex on the beach, they will get it. I do my best to use my knowledge to get them to try something else, but at the end of the day, if that’s their drink of choice who I am to say no?
Any celebrity experiences during your career?
While working in Manchester, we hosted the opening party for We Will Rock You. Serving Brian May from Queen and Robbie Williams was definitely a highlight.
Best late night places you like to go in the city?
Eat My Martini on College Street is five minutes from work and a five minute stumble from home, what more do you need?
Best tip ever
The best tip I had was from a douchebag in England who was taking his lawyers out for drinks on a Tuesday night, since they got him off an assault case. Anyway, they were drinking Louis Roederer Cristal champagne Bellinis. I told him that there was no point using such an expensive champagne in a cocktail, at which he replied, “What are you my f***ing bank manager?”, but in the end he tipped me £200. So it made it worth my while looking after them.
What to watch for
We will be featuring a nightly punch coming soon. It will be designed to be taken as an aperitif. The punch is definitely something that has been twisted and ruined over the last couple of decades and we are bringing it back in its more traditional form. Poptails will be coming before summer is over. If you’re unsure what they are then this will be another reason to come check us out down at Acadia where I bartend 6 nights a week (closed on Tuesdays).
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