Meet Dan Choiniere | Bartender & Hospitality Professional

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dan Choiniere and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dan, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I never really knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, in fact I still don’t. But looking at what I’ve done, I’ve always been the happiest when involved in some form of Hospitality. I love running my own businesses because I can dial in the experience for the Guests and offer them the kind of focused service and attention that I know I’ll keep them coming back and tell their friends.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I never set out to be a Bartender, or work in the Service Industry. I sometimes wish I had taken this path 20 years ago, but all of my experiences up and to this point have definitely prepared me for where I’m at and where I’m headed. I tend to call it stumbling uphill. From collecting and trading beers as a stay at home Dad to a part-time job at a liquor store that turned into working for a Brewery, running a Sales Team and launching what would become the most popular IPA in AZ. Then, through layoffs and new opportunities, finding myself in the cocktail world and again, skipping rungs on the ladder to opening my own businesses and opening other people’s concepts. It’s been a wild ride.

I’m so happy now to have found an incredible business partner in David Muhlstein. We are really creating something special with Sugar Cane and every week new opportunities keep presenting them selves and pushing us towards new heights we never even dreamt of 6 months ago.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’ll start out in Downtown Mesa for some old school Video Games and Pinball at the Beer Research Institute. After some good times and cold beers there, we’ll stumble across the street to Phantom Fox Brewing for some Pizza from Goat & Ram and then close the evening off with some amazing tacos from Tacos Chiwas. The next night we can jump on the Light Rail and head to downtown Phoenix for some Guava Empanadas and a house Cubra Libre at Coabana. Then it’s up to Roosevelt Row to visit the crew at The Churchill for some incredible cocktails and hospitality before making our way to Bacanora (if we’ve managed a reservation) for some of the most incredible mesquite-smoked food you’ve ever had. Get the Bone-Marrow Elote and thank me later. Then it’s off to Quartz to see Maxwell and the Team for amazing world-inspired cocktails. We’ll close the Kight at The Captain’s Cabin where Captain David will whip up Grogs and Mai Tais to treat any traveler. The last night, its driving out to the Salt River to see some wild horses and have a picnic, then back in to town for Brunch at Requinto from Chef Erick before a last hurrah at the best dive bar in the west side – Easy Tiger Bar.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My ever loving and patient wife, Jenny, has put up with my many hobbies and stuck by and encouraged me at every step. My business partner, Captain David Muhlstein, who always pushes me creatively. My Mentor and Friend Matt Trethewey, Owner of The Beer Research Institute for always pointing me in the right direction and talking honestly with me. And my dear friend Kirsten Rogge for always believing in me more than I believe in myself!

Instagram: @tiki.dan @sugarcane.phx

Image Credits
Nader Abushhab @naderabushhab images 1-4

Jeffrey Ross @jeffrossphotography
Image 5-6

Trish Vodrazka @trishdishaz
Image 7

Michael Carbajal @r_sic
image 8