I'm cosmin I am 30 currently living in cardiff after being in london for the last eight years, started back in Italy and then moved down to the big smoke

How did you get into Bartending?

I have been sent to work when i was 15 years old, because you know easter break and i had to do something and i never left, working after school time, during the breaks full time it was always been my second home but let's all remember a good work life balance is essential

Any tips to pass a Bartender job interview?

I'm guessing a genuine honesty it will do the job as we are a very gossiping industry and everyone knows everything about everyone so yeah just be honest of what u can do and what you did in the past

What’s your favorite cocktail to make?

I think a mezcal last word is lush

What are your bar essentials? 

When i was younger i would go after fancy cocktail tools and stuff like that, now and APRON is the most important thing

What according to you are London’s Secret bars?

mmmh that's a tricky question, well it is not secret if you are advertising it as secret right? but i would tell you and amazing place not many people know about it, skylight rooftop bar on top of tobacco dock in shadwell is the place to be during the summer/spring/early autumn or ice skate during winter try it out you will understand and the entrance is very secret too

Where and what you drink when not working?

the blind beggar, the sun tavern in bethnal green and nine lives bar mostly wine or beers with the lads and always a mezcal last word for the road

Your favorite places to get happy hour deals?

Good for a good happy hour is the "Tiger Tiger" from 17:00 to 20:00. Cocktails here start at £ 8.50, great for being in the heart of London. The other is Latin inspired "Barrio Shoreditch", the bar runs one hour of Amigo: every day until 8:00 pm (9:00 pm Sunday and Monday), classic cocktails including mai tais, clover club and caipirinha are only £ 6.80 each. Or even the "Bit At One", where they do the two by one on all the classics and menu cocktails

Your favorite nightclubs?

One of the best clubs I love is located in the heart of London, a couple of minutes from Oxford Circus, the private member "Maddox", is a restaurant / disco designed for a very sophisticated and selective crowd. Another place, one of the most famous places in the capital is "Fabric" in Farringdon. The club has hosted some of the greatest DJs, I consider it the best to go for an evening of dance and beautiful music.

What’s the most underrated cocktail ingredient or spirit?

One of my favorite and underrated, I think, is "Italicus". With its bergamot aroma, this liqueur is excellent as an aperitif, its touch of citrus fruits and the scent of gentian enrich the freshness explosion cocktails. One of the best I would say, excellent for long drinks and sour cocktails