Meet Christian Bailey | Mixologist / Bartender

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

Hi Christian, how do you think about risk?
I really love this question as I truly believe that you cannot live life without risk. It is a constant balance between the varied levels but in the end it’s about whether or not you were willing to make it happen.

Sometimes putting yourself out there and being vulnerable means absorbing some criticism that you did not know existed. In my life, I really have had to learn to take that criticism. Whether it be how something looks, how I am doing my process, or how I could better my brand, it really took some opening up.

Trying to be a good mixologist and promoting a brand is very hard. They more connections you have, as it goes, the better you can sell yourself. So I am constantly trying to find ways to make it risky…the juice is usually worth the squeeze.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I run a careful balance between my day job and my passion for mixology. I work in a part of liquor industry that is more regulatory so, not to blur lines I have to really keep a clear separation of the two. In the same light, it has allowed me to meet some people in the industry that have some really good insight on why I like doing what I do. I’m really a one man band so any connections out there are good connections.

My story is simple but really trying to grow it as we speak. But as a mixologist it would be nice to see a next phase with a solid location in the next coming years.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The Phoenix Metropolitan area is really teeming with some fantastic places. I think that during the pandemic years, if they have ever ended, opened up some really cool creative minds that led to some amazing places. So for the cocktail scene one has to check out Undertow, they are known for the immersive tiki vibe with some amazing cocktails. In the same building Platform 18 really is an experience from both the visual and cocktails side. Highball would be another go to for great cocktails and a really nice ambience. Little Rituals in Downtown Phoenix was named as one of the nations top bars. The location and the staff are really good. The cocktails are out of this world and the eats are paired really well. If you stay on the ground floor you can stop in to Bitter and Twisted. They really run an amazing program and have been the motivation for a lot of other bars in the ice and cocktail game.

If I’m looking for eats my go to is Nishkawa on 32nd Street and Indian School. It’s so hard to find good ramen and for some reason these folks have just nailed it. It’s very casual but that shouldn’t take away from their great menu. I wouldn’t miss a brunch at Lucy’s on Bethany Home. Place is amazing. The next non hidden gem that some folks have missed is Crujiente Tacos on 40th Street and Camelback. They arguably have the best tacos in the valley and a solid selection of margaritas to pair with them. They have been a New Times best for several years. Richard Hinojosa Is the executive chef there and just does an outstanding job.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are a lot of people out there that have been a factor in creating my own craft. I think looking at the successes of their own brands has helped to start my own. The most influential people I can think of are those who have also taken some risks. I look a lot to some great mixologists and concept artists such as Dave Kaplan from Death & Co., Jason Asher from Barter and Shake. These two have made a change in the scene nationally or really internationally. Not only from a cocktail perspective but from a concept and creation perspective. They have also mentored some really great people who have in turn opened up some other great establishments themselves such as Libby Lingua and Mitch Lyons of Highball in Phoenix.

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