Aquavitae Dealer
Leighton Rathbone is the bar manager at the Gorgeous George Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa, making use of his skills in graphic design during lockdown.
Words by: Leighton Rathbone
I started bartending to pay for my graphic design studies. Once I had finished studying, I found that it made more financial sense (and was just more enjoyable) to bartend full time, instead of going into the field I studied. Six years later I have no regrets, and luckily with this mayhem, still a job.
Among the many things I am doing with my newfound free time, I decided to play with the elements of design that I most enjoyed. I had got many compliments on my personal identity "Aquavitae Dealer".
And it got me thinking, maybe I could give back with my skills to the industry I love, give some fellow bartenders the tools to promote their personal brand.
Sabrina Traubner @sabrinatraubner is an excellent bartender, as well as a one woman party whose sparkling personality and iconic hair give any bar or even room a vibe.
Rudi de Vos @rudimentaldrinks this talented bartender, as well as having a list of accolades under his name, also plays in a hardcore band and rides a bike, he embodies the alternative lifestyle.
Jody Rahme @liquid_squire is rated one of South Africa's top bartenders and has a style to match, not unlike the knights and their squires of old.
Some of these are not live on my Instagram page @aquavitae_dealer yet, as with my drinks, I like to mix things up, but they will be, along with many more over the coming weeks.
