Bartender Chat: Aaron Lara of Haven  Categories: Bar Beat
Bartender Chat - Aaron Lara.jpg  Aaron's approach to bartending
is a scholarly one, resulting from studying not only spirits and
cocktails, but also the history of the American bar. As we chat,
he throws in bits of bar history and technique -- how the Old
Fashioned got its name, the effects of Prohibition on his
profession, and the use of the proper type of ice in creating
perfect drinks.  Aaron credits his abundant knowledge of
cocktails and their history to mentors Bobby Heugel and Justin
Burrow, and to a lot of reading. In fact, several books sit on a
shelf in Haven's bar, including a couple of Aaron's favorites,
Imbibe! by David Wondrich and The Savoy Cocktail Book by Harry
Craddock.  Aaron and his fellow Haven staff have worked to
"designate this bar as a place where cocktail geeks can come and
have a proper drink." The bar offers different cordials, Amari,
fortified, aromatized wines and local artisanal beers, such as
Real Ale and St. Arnold's.