In good spirits with James

Could you talk us through a 'typical' day working in The Manor?

I don’t think there is a typical day in The Manor. Some evenings are focused on fine dining, while others revolve around our lively monthly events, like quiz or open mic night. For the team, these are definite standout shifts. It’s the perfect environment for anyone who thrives on being busy and enjoys a varied routine.

Going beyond just a personal favourite, which drink on our menu do you feel most proud of making? Is there one with a technique or a story that gives you the most satisfaction?

With the recent addition of ‘Cocktail of the Month’ I’ve had the opportunity to get creative and add specials to the menu. During September I curated a Mai Tai recipe which was a very fulfilling project with how popular it was, and being able to speak with the marketing team and put my vision forward and seeing it in action was very satisfactory. The positive customer feedback is definitely my favourite part of this process and moving forward.

Are there any new spirits or ingredients brought in recently that have completely changed a cocktail or inspired a new creation?

For this month's feature, we've brought in a Calvados apple brandy, which inspired one of our new cocktails: the Canada Fall. Creating seasonal drinks for autumn has been a lot of fun and has really allowed our creativity to shine. Looking ahead, I'm excited to introduce a wider variety of spirits to keep our offerings fresh and interesting.

Can you share a favourite memory of making a member's day that has really stuck with you?

Recently, during our Oktoberfest celebrations, a member went out of her way to thank me and the team for putting on the event. That kind of personal interaction is so meaningful, I'm certain it made her day as much as it made ours.

For a member who wants to be a bit adventurous and try something they've likely never had before, what's your go-to recommendation from The Manor bar menu?

For any member feeling adventurous with the bar food, I always recommend asking about our daily specials. The menu is constantly changing and features some fantastic alternatives to our standard dishes, so there’s always something new to try.

When you're not behind the bar, what's a surprising passion or secret talent you have that our members would be surprised to learn?

When I’m not behind the bar, I’m a passionate football fan and go to as many Arsenal home games as I can with my brothers. A secret talent I have is singing, I also run the open mic nights here at Odney, on the last Friday of every month. It’s a great night out and I highly recommend coming along if you haven't experienced it yet!

Thanks James! Stay tuned for more chats with our team, where you'll get a glimpse into the passion and creativity that bring The Odney Club to life.