In the years leading up to 2013, Kevin Demers has an idea. As most entrepreneurs do, as most visionaries tend to have. Coming off his shifts as a bar manager in Montreal he’s wandering home in the wee early hours of the morning ruminating over how to bring it to life.
Finally, a friend of a friend mentions a space that’s for rent. It just so happens that this space in particular belongs to—drumroll—my dad.
Kevin calls the number listed to visit the space. No answer.
He calls again. No answer.
He calls again, and again, and again, and again. Until suddenly, it’s my dad’s explosive annoyance on the other end of the line.
“WHO ARE YOU?” Is a phrase that initiates what would soon be a lasting friendship and mentorship relationship.
After a decently heated back and forth my dad gives into Kevin.
“Look, if you want the space, you can’t make it my problem.”
This is my dad’s way of saying do your thing, and leave me out of it.
“I promise I won’t!” Kevin exclaims in an exhale.
The space in question is an old building situated on a pedestrian cobblestoned road in Old Montreal. There’s undeniable historical significance here. Stone walls indicate it was built in the industrial revolution if not earlier. Its character and quality are hiding behind years of neglect from the previous tenant, Kevin certainly has his work cut out for him.
For the better part of 2013 and 2014 Kevin works hard to carefully craft a speakeasy built for a niche audience of Montreal’s exclusive movers and shakers. Deliberately railing against typical nightclub crowds, he’s agonizing over every detail to get it right. It’s not unlike a movie montage of someone training for a boxing fight against Muhammad Ali. Kevin works hard to challenge the notion that he’s not just A Guy Who Runs A Bar. He’s not appealing to crowds who dance-on-tables-with-sparklers-in-vodka. He wants people who care about whiskey notes, and value mixology. He wants patrons who see this as a place for convivial gathering of substantial—and potentially—life altering conversations rather than a place for vapid frivolity.
Late in 2014 Kevin continues to toil away in the basement sight unseen. He makes a point of not involving my dad when he runs into hurdle after hurdle when it comes to designing, building, expanding, exploding(!), and nearly financially imploding. He learns masonry and other trades to save money on contractors and space development. It’s in this moment Kevin is unsure if he can take any more pressure when he receives life altering news —you’ll have to listen to this week’s episode to find out what it is!
On go the boxing gloves, back in the ring he goes to get Coldroom to the successful place we know it as today.
It’s important to recognize that at this point in time, speakeasy bars are not really a thing in Montreal. For a culturally prominent city it tends to move slowly—frustrating for people with big ideas. Kevin has since challenged, changed, and contributed to the food and drink experience not only in Montreal but all over the world.
In late 2014 Coldroom opens it’s doors to the public. The heavy metal doors to the basement jolt open. They’re painted onyx black leaving only white negative space for an outline of a circle, within it a traced outline of a rubber duck with a white X in the middle.
In small lettering the hashtag #followtheduck implies it’s location. Soon, black stickers with a traced rubber duck start to pop up all over the city subtly hinting customers towards Coldroom.
Through all of Kevin’s hard work, Coldroom becomes a household name seemingly overnight but knowingly years in the making. The space is dark and intimate, the stone walls are buffed and chic— a strong evolution from their dilapidated original state. Mixologists wear sophisticated aprons, pouring drinks with imaginative enthusiasm. It’s packed but not in the way that makes you want to leave. There’s allure, mystery juxtaposed only by its welcoming warmth, especially in Montreal’s winter months. It’s attracting people from the world of film, business, music, fashion, self proclaimed mavericks and hipsters.
Kevin hasn’t created a bar, or a speakeasy—he’s created an entire subculture.
By late 2016 Coldroom evolves from a new place only discovered through word of mouth to a place where the likes of Ben Stiller, Christina Aguilera, Julia Roberts, and other celebrities are known to pop in and have a tipple. He’s been featured in countless journal articles, magazines and dominates Montreal’s social media. Yet Coldroom remains intimate, a place where conversations and ideas are shared by curious minds over carefully crafted cocktails.
The thing about Kevin is that he’s a visionary with a generous heart, creative spirit and a willingness to roll up his sleeves. He cares deeply about community creating Miracle Montreal one of the first pop up Christmas bars to donate half of it’s earnings to charity. Sure, Kevin’s a dreamer—there’s no doubt about it. He’s also fuelled by the instinct to disrupt the stereotype that the beverage industry can only fit into one specific box that caters to one specific type of person.
This week, I’m meeting Kevin to learn about his story building not only Coldroom, but many of his other ventures as well.
Today, we’re sitting in El Pequeño—a post-war era Cuban inspired bar that challenges the concept of space and time. It sits at 165 square feet on the ground floor neighbouring the basement to Coldroom housing some of the world's rarest rums. To say this place is tiny is an understatement. To say it’s beautiful is also an understatement. To say this episode is motivating, is a vast understatement.
Listening to Kevin, I recognize that people who create notable and exciting experiences have a desire to build something that hasn’t existed before. They see solutions where others see problems and they know that trying to make something happen is far better than letting the opportunity pass them by.
You’ll have to listen to this weeks episode to find out what motivated him to change the course of his life and how he’s made it all happen.
Started from the basement, now he’s here. Kevin—thank you for sharing your time, your passion for food, drinks and community with me.
Check out this week’s podcast featuring Kevin Demers, owner, operator of Coldroom, El Pequeño, BarBello, BisousBisous and visionary of beverage experiences.
Bon Appétit!
xx
Erika
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