What bartenders put into the glass matters. Like craft cocktails, each bartender has their own unique combination with a carefully considered ratio. Whether a new take on vintage cocktails, or a contemporary creation, local bartenders do more than put ingredients into a glass— they satisfy thirst, prompt conversation, leading to friendship or romance.
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Luis “Finn” Zetter-Martinez
Bartender
El Vaquero
3302 Secor Rd | 419-536-0471
26611 Dixie Hwy. | Perrysburg | 419-872-1230
My signature cocktail: Margarita with tequila, triple sec and lime juice… with a little splash of my secret touch.
My motto is: Everything you do in life, strive to do your best.
​Mixology: Michelada A Mexican version of a bloody mary with beer… it’s spicy and delicious.
Favorite vintage cocktail: Pina Colada
- Rum
- Coconut cream or milk
- Pineapple juice
Paul Hart
Bar Manager/Head Bartender
Aidriana's
6060 Renaissance Pl. | 419-214-0599 | aidrianas.com
Favorite vintage cocktail: Old Fashioned.
Aidriana’s is known for: Definitely the food, my job is to ensure we make drinks that pair well with the cuisine.
Sage bartender advice: Take your time, a lot of bartenders rush and make mistakes. Work at your own speed and make sure everything is made correctly.
Favorite bartender tool: My mixing spoon— I like to stir instead of shake.
Melissa Fitzgibbon
Manager
Flick's Package Liquor
3320 W. Sterns Rd. | Lambertville | 734-854-2000 | flicks4fun.com
Latest obsession: Flick’s own barrel-crafted spirits.
What cocktail is overrated? Cosmopolitan.
What would you put in a cocktail named “The Glass City”? Glass Vodka, raspberry liqueur and Blue Curaçao— Layer it red, white and blue like the I-280 bridge.
Favorite vintage cocktail: Grasshopper
- Crème de menthe
- Cème de cacao
- Cream
Tabatha “Tab” Fligor
Bartender
Daffy’s
5134 Lewis Ave | 419-476-2122
facebook.com/daffysthirstyduck
If you had to drink one cocktail for the rest of your life what would it be? Jim Beam Apple and cranberry juice.
Does Toledo have a signature cocktail? The Grape Bomb.
What’s the next big thing in cocktails? Fruit-infused vodka.
Favorite vintage cocktail: Southern Apple
- Southern Comfort
- Apple schnapps
- Soda water
Kim McKnight
Manager/Bartender
Ye Olde Durty Bird
2 S. St. Clair St. | 419-243-2473
yeoldedurtybird.com
Sage bartender advice: Never wear white.
Favorite bartender tool: Muddler.
My signature cocktail: Effen Cucumber Vodka with lemonade and a splash of soda… “Summertime in a Glass.”
Favorite vintage cocktail: Old Fashioned
- muddled bitters
- sugar
- whiskey
- water
Jen Gonzalez
Bartender
Black Forest Cafe
3624 Seaman Rd. | Oregon
419-593-0092 | blackforestcafe.net
Favorite vintage cocktail: Old Fashioned.
Sage bartender advice: Smile— no one will ever know what your thinking.
Black Forest Cafe is known for: German inspired food, German beer and of course, the German American Festival. We are also the only establishment in Ohio currently serving Warsteiner Braumeister on tap in honor of the 500th anniversary of the German purity law.
If you had to drink one cocktail for the rest of your life what would it be? Bring on the whiskey! Yep, I’m a whiskey girl!
Sergio “Splurge” Rios
Bar Manager
El Camino Real
2500 W. Sylvania Ave | 419-472-0700 | elcaminorealtoledo.com
El Camino Real SKY | 2072 Woodville Rd. | Oregon | 419-693-6695
Favorite vintage cocktail: Rotgut (at room temperature)
El Camino Real is known for: We are well known for our strong, good tasting, margaritas. Anyone can make a strong drink, but a good tasting strong drink is the key.
My signature cocktail: The Don Sergio— Don Julio Tequila, fresh lime juice, splash of sour and Sprite.
True confession: We do not put Everclear in our margaritas. That’s an old El Camino urban legend.
From left to right: Tia, Justin, Bryan & Tina
Rocky's
4020 Secor Rd | 419-472-1996
facebook.com/rockysrules/
Tia “T” Cherry
Bartender
Most telling drink order: White Zinfandel
If you had to drink one cocktail for the rest of your life what would it be? Beer
Justin “Ol’ Puss n’ Boots” Carnes
Manager/Bartender
True Confession: Wouldn’t you like to know.
Does Toledo have a signature cocktail? Grand Slam, daiquiris
Bryan “Captain Pickles” Badman
Bartender
A guy walks into a bar… sits and orders his drink, pays, tips and was a complete gentleman.
Does Toledo have a signature cocktail? Is Boone’s Farm considered a cocktail?
Tina “Swede” Larson
Bartender
Sage bartender advice: Don’t drink and drive.
If you had to drink one cocktail for the rest of your life what would it be? Vodka and soda
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Nikki Lang
Bartender
Ventura's
7742 W. Bancroft St. | 419-841-7523 | toledostripletreat.com
Favorite vintage cocktail: The Cadillac margarita (premium tequila, Grand Marnier orange liqueur, lime juice).
Ventura’s is known for: Our margaritas— they’re 7oz glasses that pack a punch and still taste great.
Favorite bartender tool: The shaker— for when I make the hand-poured Cadillac margaritas.
What cocktail is overrated? A Cuba Libre— basically a rum and Coke with lime.
Eric “Epic” Saavedra
Bartender
Nine at Hensville
9 N. St. Clair St. | 419-724-4499 | ninehensville.com
Sage bartender advice: Always put salt on your napkin under your drink. It prevents napkins from sticking to your glass.
My motto is: Don’t sweat the small stuff
What would you put in a cocktail named “The Glass City”? Blueberry and raspberry vodka with Sprite topped with Blue Curaçao. (The drink’s color reminds me of the blown glass that used in the fence that surrounds NINE (made by local artists— Toledo Twisted Iron and Gathered Art).
Favorite vintage cocktail: White Russian
- vodka
- coffee liqueur
- cream
Marisa Fledderjohann
Bar Manager
Doc Watsons
1515 S. Byrne Rd. | 419-389-6003
docwatsonstoledo.com
Doc Watson’s is known for: A great beer and food selection— it’s the place locals come to hangout and have a good time.
Strangest tip: Strip club passes.
What would you put in a cocktail named “The Glass City”? Buckeye vodka, lavender simple syrup, fresh lemons topped off with champagne. Served up in a martini glass (A little bit of sweetness to smooth out the rough with just a touch of class. Clear of course).
Favorite vintage cocktail: Corpse Reviver
- Cognac
- apple brandy
- sweet vermouth
Tiffiny Wicks
Bartender
Fleetwood's Tap Room
28 N. St. Clair St. | 419-724-2337
fleetwoodshensville.com
Fleetwood's is known for: Craft beer, domestic whiskey, and live music. I love the vibe we’re creating!
Favorite bartending tool: My personality, it’s all about having fun and enjoying people!
​Mixology: A great cocktail is all about balance
Favorite vintage cocktail: Sazera
- Absinthe
- One sugar cube
- Whiskey or Cognac
- Peychaud’s Bitters
On left: Johnny; Right: Breann
Revolution Grille
5333 Monroe St. | 419-841-0066
revolutiongrille.com
Johnny Ramos
Bartender
Favorite vintage cocktail? Lately, the classic Old Fashioned.
Latest obsession: Campari cocktails. I love Campari’s bittersweet taste. It’s so complex and herbal— I try and mix it with a bit of everything.
Favorite bartender tool: The cocktail shaker. If you have to add juice, syrups, purees or preserves to a cocktail— 90% of the time you’re gonna have to shake it.
What cocktail is overrated? Anything with vodka.
Breann G. Forkapa
Bartender
Does Toledo have a signature cocktail? Jameson.
My motto is: This too shall be drank.
What’s the next big thing in cocktails? At Revolution Grille, we will be making specialty tiki drinks with a unique variety of rum.
Favorite vintage cocktail: Whisky Sour
- Lemon juice
- Simple syrup
- Bourbon
Mario “Rio” Romero
Craft Beer Manager
Mancy's Italian Grill
5453 Monroe St. | 419-882-9229
mancys.com
Mancy’s Italian Grill is known for: Our barrel-aged Manhattan, a signature cocktail that we blend and put in French oak barrels for three months.
Sage bartender advice: Don’t do it if you’re not a people-person.
What would you put in a cocktail named “The Glass City”? Vodka, creme de violet (a floral liquor) and lillet blanc (French vermouth).
Favorite vintage cocktail: Boulevard
- Bourbon
- Vermouth
- Campari
Dave “The Liquor Guy” Robison
Manager of Liquor Agency
Walt Churchill's Market
3320 Briarfield Blvd. | Maumee | 419-794-4000 | waltchurchillsmarket.com
26625 N. Dixie Hwy. | Perrysburg | 419-872-6900
Favorite vintage cocktail: Russell’s Reserve 10-year old— on the rocks.
Walt Churchill’s Market is known for: An extensive collection of single malt scotches and specialty bourbons.
My motto is: If someone serves you two fingers of bourbon, lets hope they have fat fingers.
Does Toledo have a signature spirit? Tito’s Vodka.
Chris Womack
Bartender
Rockwell's Lounge in The Oliver House
27 Broadway St. | 419-243-1302 | mbaybrew.com
Rockwell’s is known for: Atmosphere, flexibility, great food and service.
Proudest bartender accomplishment: Sold some Louis XIII Cognac (approx. retail price: $2,100 per 700ml bottle)— by far the best accomplishment.
If you had to drink one cocktail for the rest of your life what would it be? Crown Apple and a cranberry double.
Favorite vintage cocktail: Perfect Manhattan
- bitters
- whiskey
- vermouth
- ice
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James “Jamie” Favorite
Bartender
Cocina de Carlos
205 Farnsworth Rd. | Waterville | 419-878-0261.
27072 Corronade Dr. | Perrysburg | 419-872-0200 | cocinadecarlos.com
Favorite vintage cocktail: A simple whiskey on the rocks.
Proudest bartender accomplishment: Bringing in a lot of people that like to drink while being a sober bartender.
What’s the next big thing in cocktails? Fresh ingredients— the Farm to Table trend, using local companies to add a small town, personal touch.
What would you put in a cocktail named “The Glass City”? A good gin, a little bit of lemonade vodka, the rim would have a sugar coating, and then a big ol’ lime slice on top.
Yvonne Martinez
Bartender
The PUB at Paula Brown Shop
912 Monroe St. | 419-241-8100
paulabrownshop.com
My signature cocktail: French 75 (gin, champagne, lemon juice and sugar).
Most telling drink order: Budlight.
What would you put in a cocktail named “The Glass City”? Gin, orange juice, simple syrup, shaken and strained into a pint glass full of ice and topped off with Maumee Bay Brew Pub’s Glass Hopper IPA. Garnished with orange wheel and a sprig of mint.
Favorite vintage cocktail: Old Fashioned
- muddled bitters
- sugar
- whiskey
- water
Chelsea Smith
Bartender
Fat Fish Blue Home of the Toledo Funny Bone
6140 Levis Commons Blvd. | Perrysburg
419-931-3474 | fatfishfunnybonetoledo.com
Fat Fish Blue is known for: The Blue Bowl: vodka, rum, Blue Curaçao, blue raspberry snow cone syrup, pineapple juice and Sprite— enough for three people or more to share.
True confession: Every time someone asks me to “hook it up,” I make it weaker on purpose.
What would you put in a cocktail named “The Glass City”? Whiskey, a little Red Bull and a handful of construction.
Favorite vintage cocktail: Cosmopolitan
- vodka
- triple sec
- cranberry juice
- lime juice
Crystal “Sparkle” Flores
Bartender
Dzia's Irish Pub
5131 Heatherdowns Blvd. | 567-698-3942
dziasip.wix.com/home
Dzia’s Irish Pub is known for: The best corned beef, rotating craft beer taps and a large selection of Irish whiskeys.
Strangest tip: A box of crayons.
What would you put in a cocktail named “The Glass City”? I would start with a Maumee Bay Glasshopper, add some pickle juice and garnish with a pickle spear.
Favorite Vintage Cocktail: Bee's Knees
- gin
- lemon
- honey
