Best Bartender: Makina Labrecque; Proof
Captured by Neil Zeller
Visit Calgary’s Best Cocktail Bar of 2018, Proof, and you’ll find Calgary’s Best Bartender, Makina Labrecque. After a short stint as a professional Irish dancer, Makina decided to make a career change inspired by her travels throughout Australia, New Zealand and Europe: bartending. She very quickly gained the skills she needed to make unique drinks presented in a fun way, becoming one of Calgary’s best bartenders in a very short period. Having previously worked at other local hotspots like Ricardo’s Hideaway, Anejo and Blanco Cantina, Makina was a shoo-in at Proof where she not only found the bar manager position, but she was finally able to create astonishing drinks with her careful techniques.
Mixing creativity and delicious ingredients in a fun cocktail glass, stop by Proof and try one of her concoctions for yourself – she is well-known for her Dauphine’s Song cocktail. As if the Best Bartender award wasn’t enough, she was also a previous contender for Patron’s Margarita of the Year. Any night of the week, you can find Makina mixing up new combinations for thirsty Calgarians who know she can make the best one around. Visit Makina’s Instagram page to see just what she’s capable of concocting for you.
FIRST RUNNER UP: JIMMY NGUYEN; BETTY LOU’S LIBRARY
SECOND RUNNER UP: STU CONNOR; THE OAK TREE