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Toledo’s bartenders are more than drink makers—they’re storytellers, hosts and welcoming icons. City Sips shines a light on the talent behind the bar, featuring local bartenders who craft standout cocktails, create welcoming spaces and give Toledo its signature flavor — one pour at a time.
Maumee Bay Brewing Company | Gabe Cosby | Bartender
Maumee Bay Brewing Company | Gabe Cosby | Bartender27 Broadway St. | 419-243-1302 | mbaybrew.com
Years behind the bar: 4
Where did you learn to sling drinks: I worked at a hometown bar before moving to Toledo.
Creative concoctions or classic cocktails: Classic all the way!
What is your opinion about glitter and colored sugar/salts for drinks? While they are very pretty, they make for messy glassware.
What drink do you make best, IYHO? A lemon drop martini.
What is your least favorite drink to make? A Bloody Mary
Craziest story you have heard from a patron: A guest told me he was moving away and when I asked if it was for work he explained he was running from his family that tried to frame him.
Finish this: Guy walks into a bar…samples five beers and decides on a Coke.
Claude’s Bistro and Bar | Kamey Richards | Bar Manager
Claude’s Bistro and Bar | Kamey Richards | Bar Manager5103 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg | 419-931-6050 | claudesbistro-bar.com
Years behind the bar? 11 years.
Where did you learn to sling drinks? Bar 145.
Creative concoctions or classic cocktails? Creative! The Fairmont – Empress gin (founded in British Columbia at a royal hotel called ‘The Fairmount’), St. Germaine, triple sec, lemon, Absinthe.
What’s your opinion about glitter and colored sugars/salts for drinks? I LOVE them! I think it brings personality to the drink and makes a great social media post.
What drink do you make best IYHO? I always get compliments on my Dirty Martinis.
What is your least favorite drink to make: A Bloody Mary at dinnertime.
Craziest story you’ve heard from a patron: I don’t pour and tell.
Finish this: Guy walks into a bar…and orders a drink and says “surprise me”. The bartender hands him a 2 oz. pour of Louis X111.
Rosaria’s On Third | Sean Burns | Bartender
Rosaria’s On Third | Sean Burns | Bartender135 W 3rd St, Perrysburg | 567-898-2121 | rosariason3rd.com
Years behind the bar? 14.
Where did you learn to sling drinks? Self taught from books mostly, but learning a thing or two from all the great bar staff I’ve worked with alone the way.
Creative concoctions or classic cocktails? I love creativity, but like any discipline you’ve gotta learn the rules to break them. Team classic.
What’s your opinion about glitter and colored sugars/salts for drinks? Flavor and balance should be first and foremost for any good cocktail. I feel a lot of trends lose sight of that and prioritize superfluous aesthetic over substance.
What drink do you make best IYHO? Sazerac.
What is your Least favorite drink to make: “Skinny Margarita” everyone seems to have a vastly different notion of what one should be.
Craziest story you’ve heard from a patron: The time a guest’s daughter inadvertently dissed Sammy Hagar’s jeans in front of the rockstar himself.
Finish this: Guy walks into a bar….And asks for an allocated bourbon list.
Ye Old Durty Bird | Sam McBee | Bartender
Ye Old Durty Bird | Sam McBee | Bartender2 S St. Clair St. | 419-243-2473 | yeoldedurtybird.com
Years behind the bar: 10 years
Where did you learn to sling drinks? Yacht Club and Ye Olde Durty Bird.
What’s your opinion about glitter and colored sugars/salts for drinks? Definitely fun. It adds more pizzazz to the drinks!
What drink do you make best IYHO? A muddled Old Fashioned.
What is your Least favorite drink to make: I don’t mind making any drinks.
Finish this: Guy walks into a bar….says “I would like to buy a round for the house!”
Hollywood Casino | Amanda “Mandi” Elliott | Bartender
Hollywood Casino | Amanda “Mandi” Elliott | Bartender1968 Miami St | 419-661-5200 | hollywoodcasinotoledo.com
Years behind the bar? 23 years; bartending 13 years at the casino.
Where did you learn to sling drinks? Buds Tavern in Fremont.
Creative concoctions or classic cocktails? Classic cocktails – the casino is a busy bar and classic drinks are faster to make.
What’s your opinion about glitter and colored sugars/salts for drinks? They’re a fun way to add visual appeal to drinks, especially for celebrations or special occasions.
What drink do you make best IYHO? Margaritas.
What is your least favorite drink to make: Chocolate martini.
Craziest story you’ve heard from a patron: A girl threw a glass at her boyfriend because she thought he was flirting. The other girl was his cousin he hadn’t seen in years!
Finish this: Guy walks into a bar…. Is the only person at the bar and says… “I want to buy the bar a round.”
Inside The Five | Branden | Bartender
Inside The Five | Branden | Bartender5703 Main St., Sylvania | (567) 408-7212 | 1040 N Westwood Ave. | (419) 720-0415 | insidethefivebrewing.com
Years behind the bar? 22 yrs.
Where did you learn to sling drinks? With zero experience, I picked up a couple of bartending shifts at Bijou years ago, and just learned on the fly.
Creative concoctions or classic cocktails? Creative Cocktails. 100% of the time.
What’s your opinion about glitter and colored sugars/salts for drinks? All that has a place. I like trying everything so I’m fine with glitter or whatever else!
What drink do you make best IYHO? Old Fashioneds.
What is your least favorite drink to make: When a customer asks for ‘something good.’
Finish this: Guy walks into a bar…. and says, “I’ll have a pint of your finest!” The bartender replies, “I’m sorry, but we only serve hops and dreams here.”
