Instagram story viewer> @nickofnight_> Tagged

Nick

@nickofnight_

2.9K

followers

7639

following

Resources in the Linktree
🏳️‍🌈
BLM | ACAB | Free Palestine 🇵🇸
Toronto Based.
Artist. Mystic. Individual.
@_ofthenight_ 🖤
@_ofthelight_ 🤍

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Some days, when things feel really hard, I find myself holding onto moments like this to get me through. ❤️‍🩹

Pouring Forward was so much more than a fundraiser to me. It was a night where the hospitality community came together and poured their hearts into supporting me during one of the hardest fights of my life.. my battle with cervical cancer.

Seeing so many incredibly talented bartenders in one room, giving their time, energy and talent to help raise money for my treatment and recovery is something I will never forget. There was so much love, laughter, dancing and support in that room, and honestly, I needed that more than people probably realize.

To everyone who came to @thedirtttylaundry , donated, bartended, shared the event, bought a drink, sent a message, or simply showed up for me.. thank you. Your kindness and support mean the absolute world to me. ❤️ We ended up raising $13,286 at Pouring Forward which brings us so much closer to my GoFundMe goal of $90,000 so thank you Toronto. ✨😭♥️

There are days during this journey when my body is exhausted and everything feels overwhelming. On those days, I hold onto moments like this. I remember how many people showed up for me, believed in me, and reminded me that I’m not doing this alone.

I’ll forever be grateful for this night and for the incredible community that helped make it happen. ❤️‍🩹

If you’d still like to support my cervical cancer journey, my GoFundMe is linked in bio . Every donation, share and kind message makes a difference. Thank you.

57

5

Meet the bartenders behind Pouring Forward!

15 of Canadas Leading Bartenders
5 Power Hours
1 Community pouring back into one another

8PM: BIG DAIQ ENERGY

Brenton Mowforth & Dylan Nowo
(@cheerstohappyhour @mr_nowo)
Don’t Poke the Pear
Lambs Palm Breeze, Rum Fire, Lime, Cactus Pear, Pineapple & Mango

Dylan Maloney (@d.t.malonez) Coriander Crush
Lambs Palm Breeze, Rum Fire, Lime, Peach, Coriander, Green Cardamom Balsamic Paint

Dash Tume (@dasht_____) Oregano and Citrus Laced Daquiri
Lambs Palm Breeze, Rum Fire, Lime, Oregano and Citrus

9PM: CANADIAN CLASSICS

Angelina Campigotto (@angeOlivia) Pear and Blue
Sleeman and Sons Rye Whisky. Blue Cheese Distillate, Dry Vermouth, Pear, Höjicha, Chardonnay. Olive
+ Mini Complimentary Kombucha Sample

Julia Choi (@babyjunkyard) Breakfast at Tiffany’s Sortilege, Espresso, Blueberry, Maple Cream. Butter schnapps, Blueberry Pancake Garnish

Kat Garcia (@katsby_) Meet Me At Maple Blvd Spirit of York Canadian Blended Whisky, Cinzano, Campari, Maple Syrup, Pepper

Jess Colacci (@ripjesz) Grizzly Cappuccino
Bearface Triple Oak Canadian Whisky, fresh espresso, cream, maple, tonka bean.

10PM: 10PM: POUR WITH PRIDE

Nick Benyamen (@nickonight) Sugar, Spice, and Magick Absolut Tabasco, Soho, Raspberry Rich, Lime

Bex Gomez Figueiredo (@bexfig) Ring My Bell Absolut Tabasco, Green bell pepper and cucumber cordial, lime, white port and taragon oil

Aaron Hatchell (@aaron_hatchell) We Didn’t Even Kiss Absolut Tabasco, Malibu Pink, Pineapple, Lime, Cinnamon Syrup

11PM: MARTINI MIX OFF

Jacob Martin (@j.w.martin) Tomatini
Ketel One, Castle tomatoes, 15yr White Balsamic, Black Pepper, Shiso

James Grant (oldgrayrabbit) Baked Alaska
Ketel One Vodka, Manzanilla Sherry. Bianco Vermouth, Black Walnut, Chartreuse VEP Jaune, Lagavulin 11

I2AM: STRONG DRINKS. STRONGER GIRLS

Priscilla Zimnicki (@priszim) Berry Passionate
Grey Goose Berry Rouge, Passionfruit Lemon Lime, Vanilla Liqueur

Élise Hanson (@elise.h3) Peach Club Illegal Mezcal, Peach, Fino, Celery, Lime

Amber Mei (@meidrinks) Sugar Spice @ Everything Nice
Bacardi Superior, All Spice Dram, Pineapple, Lime, salted strawberry and coconut syrup

📸: @ji_rosa | @rosaji__studios

109

2

I’ve never been very good at sitting still. 😂
When I was diagnosed with cervical cancer, I knew I wanted to believe that everything happens for a reason.

I knew somehow this experience was going to give me a purpose, but for a while, I had no idea what that purpose was.

Then I started thinking about our community and what I felt like we were missing: more intentional programming, more opportunities to bring our industry together, and more ways to actually take care of the people who spend so much of their lives taking care of everyone else.

And that’s how Pouring Forward was born. 🥰

I poured so much of myself into hospitality for years. Now, I’m experiencing this community pour itself back into me when I need it most.

Maybe that’s the bigger purpose in all of this. Maybe one day, when I’m on the other side of this, I’ll be able to pour into someone else the way this community has poured into me.

And I hope Pouring Forward can keep doing that long after I’m through my own fight. ❤️
Because we’re not just building events. We’re building a community that takes care of its own.

And now that I’ve made it through the fundraiser, I can finally shift my focus back to what my body needs: resting, healing, and taking this one day at a time. ❤️‍🩹

Thank you for pouring forward with me. 🥂

17

2

Sometimes the best medicine is being surrounded by the people you love. 💕

Still feeling so incredibly grateful for this night. 🥹 Thank you to @djalexroc for reading the room and knowing exactly what to play to keep us moving all night long.

To everyone who came out, poured, donated, bid, laughed, danced, worked, supported, or simply showed up for me: thank you. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to properly put into words what it meant to look around that room and see so many people I’ve learned from, worked alongside, competed against, admired from afar, and genuinely looked up to over the years.

Hospitality has given me some of the most incredible people in my life, and Pouring Forward reminded me just how special this community really is. I’ve spent years pouring into this industry, and seeing so many of you pour back into me was something I’ll carry with me forever. 🥂

This was so much bigger than one night. It was a room full of people showing up for one another, and I’m so lucky to be part of it. ✨

Thank you for pouring forward with me.

66

9

TONIGHT AT @thedirtttylaundry

8PM: BIG DAIQ ENERGY

Brenton Mowforth & Dylan Nowo
(@cheerstohappyhour @mr_nowo)
Don’t Poke the Pear
Lambs Palm Breeze, Rum Fire, Lime, Cactus Pear, Pineapple & Mango

Dylan Maloney (@d.t.malonez) Coriander Crush
Lambs Palm Breeze, Rum Fire, Lime, Peach, Coriander, Green Cardamom Balsamic Paint

Dash Tume (@dasht_____) Oregano and Citrus Laced Daquiri
Lambs Palm Breeze, Rum Fire, Lime, Oregano and Citrus

9PM: CANADIAN CLASSICS

Angelina Campigotto (@angeOlivia) Pear and Blue
Sleeman and Sons Rye Whisky. Blue Cheese Distillate, Dry Vermouth, Pear, Höjicha, Chardonnay. Olive
+ Mini Complimentary Kombucha Sample

Julia Choi (@babyjunkyard) Breakfast at Tiffany’s Sortilege, Espresso, Blueberry, Maple Cream. Butter schnapps, Blueberry Pancake Garnish

Kat Garcia (@katsby_) Meet Me At Maple Blvd Spirit of York Canadian Blended Whisky, Cinzano, Campari, Maple Syrup, Pepper

Jess Colacci (@ripjesz) Grizzly Cappuccino
Bearface Triple Oak Canadian Whisky, fresh espresso, cream, maple, tonka bean.

10PM: 10PM: POUR WITH PRIDE

Nick Benyamen (@nickonight) Sugar, Spice, and Magick Absolut Tabasco, Soho, Raspberry Rich, Lime

Bex Gomez Figueiredo (@bexfig) Garden Party Absolut Tabasco, Green bell pepper and cucumber cordial, lime, white port and taragon oil

Aaron Hatchell (@aaron_hatchell) We Didn’t Even Kiss Absolut Tabasco, Malibu Pink, Pineapple, Lime, Cinnamon Syrup

11PM: MARTINI MIX OFF

Jacob Martin (@j.w.martin) Tomatini
Ketel One, Castle tomatoes, 15yr White Balsamic, Black Pepper, Shiso

James Grant (oldgrayrabbit) Baked Alaska
Ketel One Vodka, Manzanilla Sherry. Bianco Vermouth, Black Walnut, Chartreuse VEP Jaune, Lagavulin 11

I2AM: STRONG DRINKS. STRONGER GIRLS

Priscilla Zimnicki (@priszim) Berry Passionate
Grey Goose Berry Rouge, Passionfruit Lemon Lime, Vanilla Liqueur

Élise Hanson (@elise.h3) Peach Club Illegal Mezcal, Peach, Fino, Celery, Lime

Amber Mei (@meidrinks) Coco Berry Crush
Bacardi Superior, Lime, salted strawberry and coconut syrup

50

1

On September 7, Toronto’s hospitality community is coming together to take care of one of its own. 🩵

Pouring Forward is a one-night fundraiser in support of our friend and Toronto hospitality leader Tiffany Desbiens (@bloggingboujee) as she undergoes treatment for Stage II cervical cancer.

Just months after being named one of Canada’s Top 30 Under 30 hospitality leaders, Tiffany’s life changed dramatically with her diagnosis. She has spent her career creating experiences, building teams and showing up for the people around her. Now, the community she has spent years supporting is showing up for her.

Join us at @dirtylaundrybar as 15 of Canada’s leading bartenders come together for five hours of cocktail Power Hours, a Martini Mix Off, music by DJ Alex Roc, onsite activations, prizes and more, with a goal of raising $15,000+ in support of Tiffany through treatment and recovery.

This time, the hospitality is for her. 🩵

Monday, September 7 | 8 PM – late
📍 Dirty Laundry, 1186 Queen St. W.
🎟 Free to attend
🍸 $16 cocktail tickets

Come have a drink, show up for Tiffany and help us pour forward.

#PouringForward #TorontoHospitality #torontoevents

80

4

Join us September 7 at Dirty Laundry for Pouring Forward, where I’ll be alongside 15 of Canada’s leading bartenders for a night of cocktail Power Hours, bar battles, music by DJ Alex Roc and prizes, all to support our friend Tiffany Desbiens @bloggingboujee in her battle with cervical cancer. ❤️
Hospitality has always been about taking care of people. We pour drinks. We create experiences. We celebrate people’s biggest moments and show up when they need us most. It’s time to come together and pour into one of our own.
September 7 | 8 PM–late
Free entry | $16 drink tickets

23

0

Join us September 7 at Dirty Laundry for Pouring Forward, where 15 of Canada’s leading bartenders come together to raise money for one of their own going through cancer.

POURING FORWARD🥂
Monday, September 7 | 8PM–LATE
📍 Dirty Laundry - 1186 Queen St W
🎟️ NO COVER | 🍹 $16 DRINKS

Featuring some of the biggest names in Canadian bartending, cocktails & prizes all night & ft. @djalexroc

“Hospitality has always been about taking care of people. We pour drinks. We create experiences. We celebrate people’s biggest moments and show up when they need us most. It’s time to come together and pour into one of our own.”

🍸 BIG DAIQ ENERGY - 8PM
@dasht______ @d.t.malonez & @cheerstohappyhour

🇨🇦 CANADIAN CLASSICS - 9PM
@ripjesz @ange0livia @babyjunkyard & Kat Garcia

🏳️‍🌈 POUR WITH PRIDE - 10PM
@nickofnight_ @aaron_hatchell @bexfig

🍸 MARTINI MIX OFF - 11PM
@j.w.martin & James Grant

💃 STRONG DRINKS. STRONGER GIRLS. - 12AM
@priszim @meidrinks @elise.h3

“Organizers are planning fun activities throughout the evening, with prizes donated from the hospitality community.”

100% of the fundraising proceeds go toward supporting Tiffany Desbiens through her cancer treatment.

Our goal: $15,000+

Come for the cocktails.
Stay for the chaos.
Pour forward for one of our own. ❤️

🎟️ Tickets online + at the door
🔗 Link in bio

68

8

Word on the street is that trans people know how to PARTY

When I first got into hospitality I could not even begin to imagine an event like this happening. It's so truly surreal to have been able to organize and host such a phenomenal evening and put on THE LARGEST ALL TRANS POPUP CANADA HAS EVER SEEN

Thanks to Christina and @barmordecai for graciously letting us use your space.

Thanks to @bearface.blake @bearfacewhisky @danger.kat @drink_noa @tj.giffard @giffardcanada for standing up with our community at a time when so few are willing to support Queer existence.

Thanks to the indomitable Passerine and King Coyote Ugly for putting on a hell of a show

And to Zellers for making sure the night had a fabulously ass shaking soundtrack

Love you all. Next time let's make it even bigger

📸@goodboykimm

118

4

WHAT A WEEK, TORONTO. ❤️

It was such a privilege to be part of the Toronto Cocktail Conference.

First and foremost, huge love to Jess, Josh & Gord (@bartenderatlas / @gordhannah) for bringing this incredible community together.

We met, worked, drank, laughed and celebrated with so many amazing humans last week, and we want to thank every single one of you.

TRASH PANDAS 🐼
For the help, the energy and an amazing seminar:
@meidrinks • @athaarrrvvaa • @acquired_tasteco • @jamvictoriaa • @jorgeerdgz • @lzkalles • @marie_rb98 • @rksandiego • Santiago Galvis

TRANSFORMED BY THE ELEMENTS 🔥
@barmordecai • @placesyouarecallie • @bearface.blake • @ashton_aurelius • @beckthebartender • @nyxlock • @papaya.salad.girl • @nickofnight_

INCLUSIVE HOSPITALITY @ DIRTY LAUNDRY ✨
Robin Goodfellow & @thedirtttylaundry for welcoming us, and our friends at @glendaloughdistillery for the Irish whiskey love.

BEYOND NOA × 915 DUPONT 🍸
Dan & the legendary @915dupont crew (@yaboiithedude), @twosailorsbartending — and the king himself, our National Winner @drew_walsh, for the crazy drinks, energy and hospitality.

BAR OCELLI × CIVIL LIBERTIES 🖤
@letsbartend & @bar_ocelli for bringing the Ocelli energy to Toronto, and @civlibto for opening your doors to us.

Toronto, you reminded us once again why we love coming here so much.

This industry has never really been about what we pour into a glass. It’s about the people standing around it.

Thank you for the drinks, laughs, conversations, generosity, late nights and incredible hospitality.

We came home exhausted, grateful, and already missing you. ❤️

Until next time, Toronto.

107

10

TRANSformed by the Elements
.
Canada’s largest ALL-TRANS bar pop-up
.
Hard to put into words how magical it was to share the bar top with some incredible bartenders last week as part of @torontococktailconference

Massive thanks to @bearface.blake @drink_noa @giffardcanada @barmordecai @placesyouarecallie @bartenderatlas for making this dream a reality and goodboykimm for capturing the magic!! was great to build relationships with other trans bartenders and feel truly supported all night long 🥰
.
Until next time,
Cheers Queers

105

8

Thank you to @bartenderatlas & @gordhannah for the opportunity to trash panda at this year’s Toronto cocktail conference! 🦝

And to @davemitton and @lot40 for sponsoring the pandas! 💙🥂

Here’s some of my favourite photos taken by @ashleysenja 📸

46

8