Gord Hannah

08/25/2026

If you ever have to separate the art from the artist, you are playing the wrong record.

03/28/2026

I’ve partnered with The Drake Hotel to throw a night in support of one of our own, Ben Warnick.

Ben first worked with us when he was 16 as a food runner. After the pandemic, when we were reopening 1150 Queen Street West, he came back and said he wanted to learn the bar. I was rebuilding the bar team, and I told him the truth. The work ahead was going to be hard. He would have to start as a barback and thats a hard job

We made a deal. If he worked hard with me, I’d help him learn the industry.

We worked like hell reopening that building, and Ben did it all with kindness, humility, heart, and a work ethic I rarely see. For a while, it was just the two of us holding down Sky Yard bar (with Virna ) and getting through service together. It was hard work, but we had a great time doing it.

As things got busier, I gave Ben a leadership role with the support team, and he handled it exactly the way I knew he would. He took care of people. He worked hard. He stayed humble. Within a year, he was behind the bar serving cocktails, and it was incredible to watch him grow into such an important part of the program.

When I left The Drake, I knew Ben was one of the people helping hold that place together.

A few months ago, when I learned what he was facing, I was heartbroken. I’m not going to get into the details here, but I’ve linked his GoFundMe in my bio if you’d like to read more and support him.

Ben has a hard road ahead. We can’t fight that battle for him, but we can show up for him. We can help lighten the load. We can remind him that he is loved, and that he does not have to carry this alone.

So on Thursday, April 9, 9pm we’re throwing a benefit for Ben at The Drake Hotel. There’ll be music, drinks, and a cover charge, with all proceeds going toward supporting him through his treatment.

If you can come out, have a drink, see some familiar faces, and help us show Ben how many people are in his corner, I’d really love that.

Ticket link is in my bio, and Ben’s GoFundMe is there too.

Let’s fill the room for Ben.

07/06/2025

03/10/2025

Tonight , join us from 5pm-7pm for our martini happy hour with North American ambassador . Cocktails by .h3 and .

05/28/2024

Drinks

01/19/2024

DRAKE TURNS 20 ALUMNI STAFF PARTY

Save the Date!!! FEB 29 9pm Drake Hotel.

I am super excited that the Drake Hotel will be celebrating our 20th anniversary this year. We have a ton of cool activations that will happen at both properties.

Myself, Bill Simpson and are in charge one of those parties.

Feb 29, we will be throwing a staff party for all of our alumni. 20 years worth of bartenders, hosts, servers, barbacks, accountants, managers, chefs, cooks, dishwashers and regulars are all encouraged to come on down for one more staff party. If you worked here, hung out and felt like family or just want to come, i will see you there.

To make sure that this feels like a staff party we have asked The Bootknives to get together for an epic one night show.

More details to follow, please tag everyone in the comments, we will need everyone spreading the word.

01/19/2024

So proud to have been asked to write a little piece in about building a non alc bar cart.

Happy Dry January! Remember, why someone chooses not to drink is their business. Drink what you like and drink well.

11/16/2023

WEDNESDAY NOV 22, , 1pm-3pm, 

The Toplack Sessions are proud to present

Lucas is Toronto's Angel's Envy Whiskey Guardian, the ambassador for Angel's Envy distillery in Ontario. Kentucky-raised and soon a resident of Canada for 14 years, he has worked full-time as a bartender in Toronto since 2012. A bourbon enthusiast and whiskey nerd, Lucas is excited to share his knowledge of the production and classification of American spirits at his third Toplack Session.

As a finished whiskey, Angel's Envy spends time both in the traditional new American oak barrels and Port wine casks. Lucas will be doing a deep dive on the preparation of the casks used to make your favorite American whiskeys and its similarities and differences with the European oak used in other spirits and wines. There will be whiskey for all to try and probably some bad jokes.

As always, these seminars are free, and all are welcome. Space is limited, so please rsvp to link in bio