{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/65fdb820b5218f001713c89b/689356dcec0dff69a08849cb?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Toby Maloney: The Craft, Chaos & Calm of The Violet Hour","description":"<p><strong>Toby Maloney</strong> is one of the true architects of the modern cocktail movement — a bartender, author, and hospitality mind whose influence spans from <em>Milk &amp; Honey</em> and <em>Pegu Club</em> in New York to <em>The Violet Hour</em> in Chicago, and now to <em>The Elbow Room</em> in Vancouver, Washington.</p><p>In this episode, Damian sits down with Toby for a wide-ranging conversation covering the early chaos of oyster shucking and club bartending, the epiphany of watching Sasha Petraske behind the bar, and the vision and legacy of <em>The Violet Hour</em> — the iconic Chicago bar that helped reshape American cocktail culture.</p><p><br></p><h2>🍸 Topics Covered</h2><ul><li>Toby’s origin story — from pouring his first drink in a dry town at 11, to cooking his way around the world</li><li>The moment that changed everything: his first daiquiri at <em>Milk &amp; Honey</em></li><li>Sasha Petraske’s influence, mentorship, and legacy</li><li>How <em>The Violet Hour</em> brought New York-style cocktail culture to Chicago</li><li>Why creating a quiet, transportive, guest-focused space was at the heart of its design</li><li>Behind the house rules, the team culture, and the now-legendary drinks</li><li>The next chapter: <em>The Elbow Room</em> and “comfortable craft” cocktails built for real-world speed</li></ul><h2><br></h2><h2>📚 Featured Resource</h2><p><strong>The Bartender’s Manifesto</strong> by Toby Maloney &amp; Emma Janzen</p><p> <em>A bartender’s book for bartenders — about process, purpose, and hospitality with heart.</em></p><p> → Available now wherever you get your books.</p><p>Stay tuned for Toby’s next book, <strong>The Cocktail Sessions</strong>, dropping May 2026 — a craftsmanship-first guide to 63 essential classic cocktails.</p><h2><br></h2><h2>🔗 Guest Links</h2><p>📸 Instagram: <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/tobycocktail\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">@tobycocktail</a></p><p> 📩 Email: tobymaloney@gmail.com</p><p> 🍸 Bar: <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/elbowroom1970\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">@elbowroom1970</a></p><p> 📘 Book: <em>The Bartender’s Manifesto</em> — available now</p>","author_name":"Damian Cole"}