Who | Jacob Mentel
Where | San Diego, California, USA
Current Bar | Owner of Gilly’s House of Cocktails
Past Bar(s) | Wormwood, Polite Provisions, Noble Experiment
Favourite Spirit | Montenegro/ Amaros in General
Favourite Juice | Celery
Favourite Classic Cocktail | Last Word
Favourite Part of the Job | Honestly the people, we have this beautiful opportunity to change people’s worlds and perspectives even in a 30 minute time. We have a platform to truly be creative but also contribute to the community. Whether it be pop-ups that go to charity or mentoring those in the industry around us we really do work in a very special industry.
Favourite After Work Drink | Rye Old Fashioned
Favourite at Home Drink | Miller High Life
Favourite bar in the world | Yacht Club (Denver)
Best known for | Genuine Hospitality. Most people in the industry call me a Golden Retriever because of my easily excitable about everything personality and want to meet everyone around me. During my CAP program last year at Tales of The Cocktail I won the “Golden Retriever Award” normally called the “Golden Boy Award” but was changed to fit my personality. Back to Hospitality! Creating drinks is an amazing aspect but to make someone’s day through genuine conversation and hospitality is second to none. A person could be having the worst day of their life but we can make it better. People may enjoy drinks but they remember experiences!
Favourite “at work” memory | Opening our Bar Gilly’s House of Cocktails with my “Big Brother” and mentor Erick Castro. Single handedly the best moment of my career. It has been a long standing dream and to see it come to fruition and the amazing support we have been receiving has been next level. Can’t wait to see what our little bar family can accomplish.
What do you collect? Aprons! I collect aprons from every bar I work as well as bars that I take over throughout the US. There is just something about them that helps me live in the moment and remember the incredible times and opportunities I was able to enjoy but also keeping me humble to the journey.
Favourite thing about your city? There is something magical about San Diego, the weather is incredible, people are laid back, the industry is extremely supportive and tight-knit, and don’t get me started about the beaches!
What was the last photo that you took? Me behind the bar with my amazing bar family and some friends
Where is one place that you have never been but would like to travel to? Paris! I absolutely love the romantic history of Paris and France in general. The wife and I have always wanted to go since the beginning of our relationship and these days we are going to be saving to go soon
Any claims to fame? I was a Tales CAP this last year and won their “Golden Boy/Golden Retriever Award”. I have done a few pop-ups around and I also made it to international jury for the Deluze Cognac Cocktail Competition. World Class 2023 Top one 100 bartenders. Bar 5-day scholarship recipient
Prosecco or Cava? Prosecco all the way, especially on the dryer side.
Angostura or Peychaud’s? Ango! Have to have a Trinidad Sour every once in a while!
Singapore or San Francisco? San Francisco. I am from the Bay Area and Trick Dog actually was the bar during their very first menu that convinced me to join the craft cocktail industry and set me on the path I’m on now
Grapefruit or Pineapple? Pineapple, I love a citrus that creates its own froth
Are you available for freelance gigs? I would love freelance work! I want to be involved in the bigger industry as much as I possibly can. I am a workaholic and truly truly love every aspect of this industry.
Find them: Instagram