The Lemon Society Speakeasy will include creative cocktails concocted by some of Philadelphia's best bartenders.
We will have bartenders from Starr Restaurants, Osteria, and The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co.
Additional details to come - check back often!
Phoebe Esmon was born into a family of academics and antique dealers. She has lived all over the south eastern/mid western United States. Her own academic pursuits landed her in Philadelphia, where, in 2008, she received an MFA in Book Arts and Printmaking from the University of the Arts.
Esmon bartended as an undergrad, which whetted her appetite for the art. Much of what she learned prior to getting back behind the stick came from personal research into cocktails and cocktail history, combined with a love and talent for food and flavors. After matriculating, she returned to the job with a renewed focus and passion.
Phoebe is the founding president of the United States Bartenders' Guild, Philadelphia Chapter.
Christian R. Gaal was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Queens. He narrowly escaped being over-educated in New Hampshire, New York and Pennsylvania. Philly gave him his first taste of the service industry. It could be said that he and most of his closest friends wound up behind bars, and they remain so to this day. He credits this small cadre with igniting his passion for the history of alcohol and bartending. Christian cut his teeth at the old Sansom Street Oyster House, then Apothecary. He ran the cocktail program at Noble and the opening cocktail list at Kraftwork. He met his fiancée and fellow bartender, Phoebe Esmon, in Tangier while she was completing her MFA. They have worked together often, including starting off Kennett’s liquor program, a stint of operating Farmers’ Cabinet’s cocktail bar, and founding the Philadelphia chapter of the US Bartenders’ Guild. They reside in a decommissioned firehouse in Port Richmond.
I began bartending years ago. My friend, Jeff opened his own nightclub in New York. The only cocktails we could make were basic drinks such as Rum and Coke or Vodka and Cranberry. I was also really good at opening bottles of beer! The business was so successful that Jeff opened three more clubs. Eventually, I moved to Philadelphia and managed a nightclub called “Key West.” I began working at Continental Midtown in March of 2006. I enjoy bartending because it gives me the opportunity to connect with all types of fun, interesting people. I love creating my own cocktails such as “The Harry Potter,” “ Justin Beiber,” or most recently, the “Fleur de Lis.” I recently purchased a home in New Jersey and love spending time there with my cats, Dwayne and Vivian!
One of the modern world’s great barmen was born somewhere in the wilds of New Jersey in the midst of our country’s bicentennial celebrations. A bartender by trade since 2000, Shearn now holds the post as General Manager of what he calls “The Greatest Bar on Earth” — Philadelphia’s The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co.
Prior stints behind the bar at acclaimed venues such as Philadelphia’s Alma de Cuba and Zahav only served to whet the appetite for knowledge of this self-taught consummate professional with talent to burn. “I read a lot of books on the golden age of bartending,” Shearn says, “but I learned more about cocktails in the two weeks of training” for the Franklin [under the instruction of New York City’s renowned Death & Co. consulting team] than in nine years of bartending. That being said, Shearn continues to grow his knowledge. Where we could have lost him? Prior interests in architecture and the random bands threatened to pull Shearn out of the game that he continues to redefine. “What makes me feel really great is when guys come into the Franklin from other places I hold in esteem and say they had to see what we’re doing here."
Joshua M. Katz is the President and Heads Business Development for Max and David’s the Philadelphia region’s only destination glatt kosher restaurant. Joshua is an active member in his community serving on various boards and business networks. He is a trustee of the Katz Family Charitable trust, his family’s charity, which supports and enhances the formal and informal education of children everywhere. In his spare time, Joshua acts as a live Auctioneer and Master of Ceremonies for numerous organizations and charities throughout the community.
Help make the difference in a child’s life!
Support Alex’s Lemonade Stand through our online gift shop.
Learn how to host your own lemonade stand or other ways to get involved!
Create a fundraising page to share with family and friends, or login to your existing page(s).
