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With so many bar offerings in South Florida, it can be a challenge to stand out among the crowd.
This is not the case for The Sylvester, a Miami-based bar with a personality all of its own. Whether it’s the vintage vibe, spot-on playlist, assortment of board games inviting imbibers to stay and relax or simply the out-of-this-world cocktail creations, one visit here and it’ll quickly become a bar to remember and return to time and time again.
We checked in with bartender Tim Christakis for some valuable feedback.
Q&A
Why bartending?
To me, bartending is a creative outlet. You get, for one minute, to make someone’s day or night. It doesn’t matter who they are for that one minute, it is a show, and you create the space for that person and what they are looking for in a beverage. Like a chef plating a magnificent dish, bartenders create beverages that are liquid libations — beverage platings.
Drink everyone needs to know, and why?
The drink everyone should know is a Black Manhattan. It is a simple variation of a classic Manhattan, but instead of sweet vermouth, it has amaro — adding an extra bitter note along with herbal notes. Amaro, paired with a great Rye whiskey, is truly amazing and has depths that everyone should try.
Drink/drink fad you wish would go away? Why?
The AMF drink [a strong, blue cocktail] would be the drink I wish would go away. It is like asking for a hangover in a glass and telling us you are trying to get extremely drunk.
You can design your own cocktail napkin. What does it say and why?
It would say “Here for a good time, not a long time” because our team is all about creating an experience, and when that happens, it is a good time and eventually the night has to end.
Best piece of advice you ever got?
To always lead by example. It does not matter if you are a dishwasher or run programs, you do everything in life to the best of your ability. It shows what character you have and that is huge in life.
Rule you wish people would break?
Tell your bartender if you don’t like your drink! There’s nothing worse than choking down a drink because people think that there is a rule of not telling a bartender they don’t like the drink.
Favorite/best bar music?
New Disco/Funk Like “Purple Disco Machine.’’ The type of music you walk into a bar and you can’t help but want to dance or at least do a two-step. Even a head bob will do!
Best bar snack?
A really well put together charcuterie board.
June/July is our Entertainment Issue. Do you feel a bartender entertains?
How so?
Absolutely! We are in the line of work of hospitality that comes with creating entertainment for the guests in many different ways: drinks, music, decor, and in some cases if you are really good, props!
Who, living or not, would you want to make a drink for? Why?
[American rapper] Nipsey Hussle because his music was epic, and it would be really cool to make him a drink.
On Miami Time
This drink is a low ABV (alcohol by volume) drink, which translate to light and easygoing. You can have it at happy hour or in the middle of the night.Christakis serves it in a Collins glass and uses an ice sphere, which makes the dilution of the drink slower.
Ingredients:
1.25 oz. Vodka
1 oz. Dry vermouth
½ oz. Lavender syrup*
½ oz. Olive brine
¼ oz. Lemon juice
1 oz. Rosemary and
grapefruit tonic
Instructions:
Prepare a Collins glass with a sphere ice cube. You can purchase an ice sphere maker or fill your glass with standard ice cubes. Line rim of glass with lemon and sprinkle with Buzz Button Flower dust (available for purchase online).
Add all ingredients, except for the rosemary and grapefruit tonic into a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Add rosemary and grapefruit tonic and pour into glass.
*To make the lavender syrup:
1 cup Sugar
1 cup Water
4 grams Lavender
Place sugar and water in a pan and heat until sugar has dissolved. Add the lavender and let it steep for 15 minutes.