With the launch of the
Toronto Temperance Society (T.T.S)--a
members-only College street cocktail lounge--Toronto has joined the
growing list of world cities embracing elite cocktail culture. As
reported by the
New York Times, T.T.S--which charges members an annual
fee of 285 dollars--has found a loyal following for its elite speakeasy,
boasting more than 300 members within four months of operation.
"Bill
Sweete and Christine Sismondo believed that Toronto was lagging behind
other world cities in cocktail culture, which led them to open T.T.S.
in July, cheekily naming their spot after the anti-alcohol movement
that came to prominence in the 19th century."
"We
wanted to bring to Toronto what was happening in cities like New York
City and London and Melbourne," said Mr. Sweete, who is the owner. Mr.
Sweete first began experimenting with cocktail blends at Sidecar Bar
and Grill � now directly downstairs from T.T.S. � which he and Ms.
Sismondo opened in 2008. But, oddly, it only sold high-end drinks
during a few midday hours and it quickly became better known as a
restaurant."
"Mr. Sweete and Ms. Sismondo,
though, were reluctant to give up on the idea. T.T.S. seemed a way to
blend the old-fashioned cocktail milieu with a dash of hip
elitism.""Mr. Sweete worked with a cocktail researcher � such a person
does exist � to create the menu, drawing inspiration from books like
"The Bar-Tenders Guide" (1876) and "The Savoy Cocktail Book" (1930) to
create concoctions like the Black Roy (Johnnie Walker Black, Italian
vermouth, orange and Angostura bitters) and the Adam & Steve (Mount
Gay & Gosling's Black Seal, sugar, orange bitters, flamed orange
peel). (Drinks range from 10 to 14 Canadian dollars, about the same in
U.S. dollars.)"
"But they also took things a step farther than their cocktail-bar brethren by requiring membership."
"We
figured there would be 500 people out of the five million in the
greater Toronto area who would be into cocktails and want to join," Mr.
Sweete said. (Another of T.T.S.'s rules warns that a "good party is
never spoiled by your friend but, rather, that friend of a friend who
tags along.") His estimation has proven correct. Thirsty Torontonians
began paying the annual membership fee of 285 Canadian dollars as early
as February, and there are more than 300 registered members. Mr. Sweete
hopes to cap membership at around 500. "A lot of members haven't even
been here yet, but they just like the idea and want to be a part of
it," he said."
original source New York Times