October 1st through 7th is Toronto Cocktail Week and some of the parties and events are taking place in local bars on Ossington.
There are two events next Wednesday. Next Wednesday at Rock Lobster, you can try some Sake at a Sake tasting and demonstration. For $20, you’ll learn a lot about the Japanese rice wine beverage, and get to sample different styles of sake, sake cocktails and some Rock Lobster appetizers. Also next Wednesday, October 2nd, Reposado is hosting two sessions of tutored tasting of Herradura Tequila along with complimentary snacks.
On Friday night, James Beard-award winning mixologist Dale DeGroff will be at The Dakota Tavern for “On the Town! A Tribute to Bars, Speaks and Legendary Saloons” featuring stories, cocktails and even some songs.
Also part of Cocktail Week, The Hogtown Shakedown is a competition for Toronto’s top bartender, and two of our local favorites are in the running to win!
The semifinals are on October 1 at SpiritHouse and by invite only, and the October 3 final event is open to the public at The Drake Hotel. The locals in the running are John Bunner, Bartender/Bar Manager from Yours Truly and Megan Jones, Bartender at Reposado.
The Grid did profiles of the semifinalists. We wish all of the entrants luck, but especially our local talent. If you haven’t met them, and like good cocktails, we highly recommend you pay John and Megan a visit soon!
