There’s something to be said for a Friday night bartender- that person whose bar you want to sit at after a never-ending week. And no matter how much you bitch about said shit week or how many times you crack the same stupid jokes, they welcome you in, slap a coaster down and ask you what you’d like.
Kaitlyn Stewart has become my Friday night bartender. It could be her rad disposition, her penchant for making a delicious drink or her general bad-assness. But what really sealed the deal was Lil’ Bub in a sailor hat. That’s right my friends. On her upper right arm, this magical bartender has a tattoo of insta-famous cat legend, Lil’ Bub wearing a sailor hat. If you know what I’m talking about then I need not go any further. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, click here and prepare to spend the rest of your day scrolling through adorable cat photos (consider yourself warned). It should also be noted that this is the second interview I’ve done in less than 6 months that involves a bartender that loves cats so much, they have one (or many) tattooed on their person. Make of that what you will. But enough about cats. Back to Kaitlyn and a few reasons why she’s a great bartender everyday (but especially Fridays).
What’s your favourite word?
Fart
What’s your least favourite word?
C-U-Next-Tuesday.
What turns you on?
Somebody that is completely comfortable with who they are. For example my girlfriend can burp in front of me and fart in front of me and not feel uncomfortable about it.
What turns you off?
Bad manners.
What’s your favourite curse word?
I probably say “shit” a lot.
What sound or noise do you love?
My cat’s purr.
What sound or noise do you hate?
When my cat’s hungry, he makes this chomping noise to wake me up in the morning and it’s the bane of my existence.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
I always thought I would grow up to be a firefighter.
What profession would you not like to do?
Anything that requires sitting at a desk.
If heaven exists, what would you want God to say when you arrive?
Probably “Well that was close.”
Which talent would you most like to have?
I think I would like to be able to spell really well. I second guess myself a lot when I spell. If I had the ability to spell and have perfect grammar it would be my super power.
Your favourite fictional hero?
Sponge Bob
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
I’m gonna go with Amelia Earhart because she was a woman who had drive and passion and went for what she wanted and didn’t let the boys tell her she couldn’t. And she flew!
What is your most treasured possession?
I should probably say my engagement ring but my most treasured possession is probably my blanky that I’ve had since birth. I’m 30 and I still have it in my bed.
If you could choose to come back as something in your next life what would it be?
A house cat. 100%. They have it made. But only if the owner was somebody like me. My cats sleep for 20 hours a day and they get fed when they want, they get pets and cuddles and they get to watch TV all day.
If you could only have a 5 bottle bar, what would they be?
Sailor Jerry’s, Aperol, some sort of Sherry, Zubrowka, and lastly just for fun, a bottle of something really disgusting like Peach Schnapps, just to throw a wrench in there.
What would be your death row drink?
It would probably be Avalon Chocolate Milk.
What’s the one cocktail book that should be behind every bar?
Barflies and Cocktails cause it’s a really cool throwback. The classics are the root of all cocktails so it’s kinda cool to look back and see what they were coming up with in like 1902.
What’s the one non-cocktail book that should be behind every bar?
Idiots Guide to Not Being a Douche-Bag.
If you’re best shift behind the bar had a theme song, what would it be?
Sunday Morning by Chaos. It’s one of my favourite songs. In the bar world every day can be like Saturday night and I really can’t wait for Sunday mornings cause it’s my day off.
Is there anything you would like to add about the Vancouver bar scene? Thoughts? Insights?
Vancouver is a very small city. Being in a place like Toronto like I was recently and seeing how spread out the 6 [boroughs] are, and even just the downtown core which can still be very separated, it’s amazing to see how close the community is. Vancouver also has a really great community. Sometimes for the newcomers coming up it can be an intimidating place to get your foot in the door but I love Vancouver. It’s a great place and has so much potential to be a cocktail Mecca.
Do you feel like your foot’s in the door now?
Ish…I don’t know. I feel like I’ll always march to the beat of my own drum. I don’t take myself super seriously. I love bartending and I love being a part of this community. I don’t drink a hell of a lot so for me, my style is what I would like to drink. Sometimes that means something really fruity or something not as booze forward as some other bars like to be. I’d say my foot is slightly in the door now, at least I’m trying more. I could definitely be an introvert for the rest of my life but it’s good to be out there so people can come visit you and hang out and chat about my cats or my obsession with The Golden Girls or Roseanne.
If you could only be known for one cocktail you’ve created, what would it be?
The Woodstock
1 oz Railspur no. 2
0.5 oz Ginger of the Indies
0.5 oz Mezcal infused honey
Ardbeg Mist
Dehydrated lemon wheel
Shake all ingredients over ice and strain into a chilled glass with an Ardbeg mist. Garnish with a dehydrated lemon wheel.
