Interview with 2013 San Francisco Bay Area Rising Star Mixologist Matt Conway

Katherine Sacks: What made you get into mixology?
Matt Conway: I had worked in the restaurant industry in Boston and San Francisco for a number of years. I always enjoyed working in the restaurant industry and the bar was the part I enjoyed the most. I already lived in San Francisco when the whole cocktail renaissance started to gain steam. When I had the opportunity to get behind the bar it made sense. I grew up in a drinking family, having spirits around was normal. This is a fun time to be a bartender, there is such a wealth of ingredients and what my drinks do is showcase some of these amazing ingredients.

KS: What are the 3 elements of a good cocktail?
MC: Balance, flavor, and appearance.

KS: How would you describe your mixology style?
MC: I would say my style is relatively straightforward, ingredient driven cocktails, relatively simple. I go to other bars with drinks that have five to seven ingredients, but I never do that. Typically my drinks have no more than four ingredients. I like it when you can understand what’s in the drink, what’s in the cocktail, and when the finished product is greater than the sum of its parts.

KS: Who is your mentor in the business?
MC:  I would say Jeff Hollinger here at Absinthe and Jonny Raglin. They are two guys I worked with at Comstock and both former bar managers here.

KS: Where will we find you in 5 years?
MC: You will probably find me behind my own bar, I am working on that now. It’s right down the street in Hayes Valley, where Marlana's Drag Bar is. I acquired it recently and we intend to be open at the end of May.