GOODS: The “CPBA” Announce 80′s Themed “Retro Rejuvenation” Cocktail Competition

Canadian Professional Bartenders Association (CPBA) | #900–555 Burrard | Vancouver, BC | canadianbartenders.com

The GOODS from the Canadian Professional Bartenders Association

Vancouver, BC | Last year we asked Vancouver’s best bartenders to ‘Surpass Cuffs and Buttons’ and take M.W. Heron’s timeless concoction, now known as Southern Comfort, to the next level. They answered the challenge admirably with dozens of entries resulting in quite possibly the best Southern Comfort cocktails, sours, punches, and smashes ever made. Of course, one bartender managed to edge out her peers to claim victory and the spoils that go along with our annual challenge; a trip for two to the Southern Comfort homeland, New Orleans Louisiana.

Danielle Tatarin (pictured above) of The Keefer Bar and her “Milk and Honey #8” channelled the spirit of the Southern Comfort Society’s patron, M.W. Heron, by using ingredients from all over the globe, just as M.W. would have done from his tavern at the global crossroads that New Orleans was back in the day. This year, the challenge is to right some of the wrongs that may have been done our venerable spirit…and a few others as well.

The bright colours, the loud, bouncy synthesizers, the painters-palate range of coloured liqueurs, the neon hued… ahem…“bar mixes”, the extremely upbeat and saccharin sweet cocktail culture; who doesn’t love the 80′s? Retro Rejuvenation is a bartender competition mixed with the vibe and culture of the 1980’s for an entire evening gone “retro”. Ginger 62 Night Club, Brown-Forman Canada and The Canadian Professional Bartender’s Association play host to a fun and interactive evening that celebrates the rejuvenation of all things “retro”. Details after the jump…

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Inside The Keefer’s Superfly New Chinatown Penthouse Suite

Looking left from the private elevator entrance (note the glass bottomed rooftop pool in the ceiling)

I’ve been doing research for a new Van Mag story this week and it has been keeping me in and around Chinatown. One space that I’ve been really interested in is The Keefer, a completely renovated building at 135 Keefer (the same block as Bao Bei). When Scout first broke the news of its coming back in August it was going to be a boutique hotel. They’ve now changed the concept to include just four boutique luxury short term rental suites – the sort of digs movie stars and big wigs enjoy. The owner, Cam Watt, gave me a tour last night with bar manager Danielle Tatarin (one of my favourite bartenders, lately of DB Bistro). The Keefer Bar is still very much a tangled mess of construction, so much so that it didn’t warrant a photo. What stoked me on the visit instead was the finished penthouse suite, complete with Douglas Coupland tripping the light fantastic on the walls, a glass-bottomed pool ceiling, and just about the nicest rooftop deck I’ve ever seen…

Looking back towards the entrance to The Keefer (artwork by Douglas Coupand)

From the penthouse kitchen and living room looking back towards the bedrooms and dining area

I loved this little deck off the living room (note the fresh snow not so deep or crisp or even)

The suite underneath the penthouse follows the same design scheme but has the original beams and brick

The rooftop deck with pool (which makes the ceiling in the penthouse hallway) is certifiably amazing...

You’ll find a few extra shots in the following thumbnail gallery

They’re looking at having the entirety (including the bar) finished and ready for prime time in late January or early February. If you’ve forgotten what the renderings look like, take a look…

All Anticipated Openings

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Vancouver’s Best Bartenders Let Loose With Beer And Booze

Yesterday, local bartenders were asked to craft cocktails incorporating beers from Whistler Brewing Company in a timed competition. Held at The Refinery, the showdown included efforts from fifteen barkeeps in all, which meant my palate was in for something of a rude ride for over three hours (I was judging). Much fun was had, and some of the drinks were very impressive. Here’s what it looked like from my end, a recap of who made what with which ingredient and how it looked through a blender of tasting notes and photos. Thirsty? Giddy-up… Read more