The Wine Expert: Julia Battaglini, Secco Wine Bar
Ideal night out? Anywhere with Dave Martin or Nicole Lang, especially ending up at Heritage, Mekong or Pasture.
Favorite drink? Any and all gin or amaro concoctions made by Danny McDermott at Acacia or Mattias Hägglund at Heritage.
Favorite bar memory? Celebrating my 40th at Pegu Club in New York and John Hodgman’s picking up the entire tab. Though I’m not sure if the word memory applies here.
Best advice given to a customer? Napoleon. 354-TAXI.
Hangover remedy? Pho and Gatorade.
The Cicerone: Nathaniel Holland, Taste the Local
Ideal night out? Happy hour at On the Rox and ending with a shot of Chartreuse at Weezies in Carytown with the owner, Todd Gelsomino. Visiting a few of great bars in between.
Favorite drink? If I am only having one or two, Hardywood Park’s Bourbon Cru. If it’s going to be a long night, Strangeways’ Wallonian Dawn Honey Saison.
Favorite bar memory? Hanging out at Mekong with close friends, having An Bui serve up some of the best beers you can find in Richmond.
Best advice given to a customer? Drink what you like. Pay little attention to reviews, ratings, opinions, etc. If you enjoy it, drink it.
Hangover remedy? Plenty of sleep. If sleep is not an option, drink a red eye: a pilsner beer, a shot of vodka, tomato juice and a raw egg.
The Bartender: Becca Flaig, Halligan Bar & Gril
Ideal night out? A group of funny friends, good food, a great happy hour to kick-start my buzz, live music, delicious drinks, and maybe some people watching.
Favorite drink? Rumple Minze or Ketel One and anything!
Favorite bar memory? Country singer Chris Young bought me a shot of Fireball at Penny Lane Pub.
Best advice given to a customer? She’s a man, man. Have you ever been to Bangkok? You’re about to find out.
Hangover remedy? Cookout or Lady N’awlins fried chicken and waffles.
The Mixologist: Sean Rapoza, Balliceaux
Ideal night out? A Negroni at Heritage, then Edo’s Squid for dinner. Maybe catch some music at Balliceaux and a nightcap at a neighborhood spot like Bamboo Cafe.
Favorite drink? The shockingly good Manhattan on draught at New York’s Saxon and Parole.
Favorite bar memory? When you walk into your local bar and your drink is ready before you order. The first time a bartender stirred a martini for me. The list goes on and on.
Best advice given to a customer? “Let me get you a cab,” “You should always use protection,” and “Nothing ‘good’ happens after 2 a.m.”
Hangover remedy? When I worked downtown, I may have advised buying Gatorade and a Red Bull, drinking half the Gatorade, then pouring the Red Bull into the Gatorade bottle. With a shot of vodka.
