Bartender Q&A: Ian Carrey of Salt Life Food Shack on Underwater Basket Weaving and Free Stuff

When it comes to finding amazing cocktails, you're probably not thinking Coral Springs. Not that we have anything against the city, but when it comes to culinary creations the suburbs are mostly like not the first image that comes to mind. And then there's Ian Carrey, General Manager and Partner...

By Sara Ventiera

March 8, 2013

[
        {
          "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
          "component": "16971022",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "15769925",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Rectangle 2x - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782206",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782207",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

When it comes to finding amazing cocktails, you're probably not thinking Coral Springs. Not that we have anything against the city, but when it comes to culinary creations the suburbs are mostly like not the first image that comes to mind.

And then there's Ian Carrey, General Manager and Partner of Salt Life Food Shack. The creator of delicious cocktails is elevating the bar scene out on University Drive. With that, we decided to chat him up.

See Also:
- Bartender Q&A: Hunter Broggi of Red Tapas on Too Many Episodes of Sex and the City and His G-Ma

Clean Plate Charlie: Hometown/ High School?
Ormond Beach, Fl. University of North Florida

How long have you been in South Florida?
Just over a year.

How long have you been in the industry?
About 10 years.

I knew I wanted to be a bartender when _______.
I saw how much more money they made than the bouncers.

Favorite drink to make?
I get pretty excited when someone orders an old fashioned or tom collins out of the blue.

Least favorite drink to make?
Miami Vice

Strangest drink requested?
Pink squirrel: a 70s frozen drink that is creme de noyaux, cream de caco and Vanilla ice cream. It is more dessert than cocktail. They might still serve them in old Vegas but I have only heard them called for once in a restaurant bar setting.

What's your favorite spirit?
Whiskey

What's your favorite thing to drink after work?
Good craft beer

What is your favorite place to drink after work?
World of Beer

What's the best pick-up line you've heard at the bar?
Tom Brady Rule: every line is a good or bad one depending on who says it.

If someone comes in and orders a ______, you instantly think ______ about them.
LIT (Long Island Iced Tea) of any kind, poorly

Biggest pet-peeve while working?
People asking for free stuff

Who is your favorite local bartender? Any why?
I am a pretty big fan of the guys at Sweetwater or Rebel House.

If I wasn't a bartender, I would be a ______.
Underwater basket weaver

Favorite kind of bar customer?
One with an open mind.

Least favorite kind of bar customer?
The ones that ruin it for everyone else.

If you could make a drink for anyone, who would it be? And which drink do you think would suit them?
Steven Colbert, seems like he could be a manhattan on the rocks kinda guy.

Favorite thing about bartending?
Giving people a great experience.

Follow @ CleanPlateBPB

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, New Times Broward-Palm Beach has been defined as the free, independent voice of South Florida — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.