Gord Hannah

07/06/2025

03/23/2025

Happy birthday to my big sister Gail.
When I was 4, a 7-year-old bully stole the horn off my tricycle and knocked me down. My 6-year-old sister made him eat the horn and declared me OFF LIMITS.

She’s been that fierce ever since—our family’s protector, organizer, fixer, and quiet hero. The one we all turn to, and the one who never asks for anything in return.

So today, on her birthday, I’m sounding the horn in celebration—thank you for everything you do and everything you are. We’re all better because of you.

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

09/06/2023

One year later....
This past year has been hard for so many of our people. Whether you knew Sandy briefly or for a long time, she had a way of nuzzling right up to heart and soul. She was instantly beloved.

We all miss her. A devastating and heartbreaking ache that we have all carried so heavy in our hearts for the past twelve months.

I will always struggle with this date, but
I hope this year we start to realize just how much she left with us.

How many of us fell in love with cocktails because of Sandy?

How many of us are better bartenders because of Sandy? How to use amaros/chartreuse/fernet before they were a thing?

Who learned about balance from Sandy?

How many of us connected and became friends through her bar or one of her get togethers?

Who has embarked on a new venture because of one of her pep talks?

Who got through a hard time because she sat with you on a curb and rubbed your ear?

Who here is a better version of themselves because of our Sandy?

Sandy, you have left a huge void in the world but your legacy will always be what you built on what you left for all of us.

The churches of art
The libraries of knowledge and technique
The oceans of friends The mountains of love and support.

She touched us all. She will always be with us.

Hug someone too long today, tell them they smell great and let everyone know...

babe, i love you.

08/28/2023

Almost the final Kayak of the season.

08/24/2023

This beauty is turning 20 next year. The party planning has begun!!!!

We will also be celebrating my 20th with the old gal.

So many staff, regulars and memories!!!