Name: Stephen Yorsz
Establishment: Creative Director, Leave ROCHELLE Out of It, New York, NY
Recent Gigs: Stephen comes with a 15 year career in New York nightlife that began 1996 - while he attended NYU Stern School of Business - at the infamous Marylou's. After a brief stint in finance, Stephen returned to bar and nightclubs and bartended at Le 'Souk, HOME, Guest House, Boom, Gemini Lounge, STK, The Inn, and Citrine. In 2008, he transitioned into the spirits industry as the New York Brand Ambassador for Maker’s Mark and worked with spirits brands including Templeton Rye, Fernet Branca, Wild Turkey, and Alibi American Whiskey. With the opening of Leave ROCHELLE Out of It in a historic New York nightlife space, Stephen aim to take the bar business back to its basic roots – great cocktails, delicious in their simplicity; hearty food not to turn off the masses but instead encourage their palates; and a place you would be happy to come any night of the week to enjoy cocktails and the company of old and new friends alike.
Why did you become a bartender?
It’s a great way to make money and meet girls
What are some fun flavors you’re working with?
Anything Whiskey, ginger or bacon
What are you doing different from the norm in your beverages?
I don’t know how different from the norm it is however I have a big focus on getting people back to drinking. I like to stay away from a lot of the fu-fu-ness of what some places like to do and focus on teaching people about good booze
What’s in the mixing glass or shaker for your customers?
An old fashioned
What are you sipping on and why?
Henry Mckenna 10-yr bottled-in-bond; because it’s amazing and cheap
What are you dancing to while mixing?
Fugazi
What are some quirks/quotes you are known for?
When someone says, “hey you’re a really good bartender!” my standard reply is “I didn’t go to 4 years of college for nothing!”
Benjamin Franklin is famous for saying "Beer is proof that God loves u and wants us to be happy." What's your beer mantra?
“A shot of whiskey and a glass of beer is the happiest marriage I have ever witnessed.”