Who | Michael Fortier
Where | Toronto, Canada
Current Bar | Bar Raval
Past Bar(s) | The Drake Hotel, Drake One Fifty, Richmond Station
Favourite Spirit | Mezcal
Favourite Juice | Grapefruit
Favourite Classic Cocktail | Negroni
Favourite Part of the Job | It’s different every single day.
Favourite After Work Drink | Cold crushable beer
Favourite at Home Drink | Sour beers and mezcals
Favourite bar in the world | Attaboy (New York)
Best known for | A calm demeanour behind the bar. At least I try everyday in this chaotic job.
Best story from behind the wood | One time a girl grabbed a grapefruit from my fruit bowl and whipped it at me point blank. It hit me then sent my chartreuse bottles flying, meanwhile Jenner Cormier is laughing his ass off at me. Turned out she just wanted to leave her #, so her and I had oysters at The Harbord Room and it was lovely. (There is more to this story but it is too dark for the Internet so ask me in person at my bar.)
What do you collect? Sour beers, at least I’m starting to work on a collection.
Favourite thing about your city? Toronto has so much to offer and is on its way to being world class. Every city I visit I ask myself if I could see myself living there, so far Toronto is the only one where the answer is yes. And maybe NOLA!
What was the last photo that you took? Probably a picture of my dog Jax, I spend most of my spare time with him.
Where was your last vacation? Montreal to eat and drink all the things.
Any claims to fame? Not yet but I’m working on it. I mean I guess I won the Lot 40 Canadian whisky competition a few years back.
Belt or suspenders? Belt
Fernet or Cynar? Cynar
New Orleans or New York City? NOLA
Glass or Tin? Tinder
Are you available for freelance gigs? Always
Find him: Instagram