Going platinum

Photos:

After a record-breaking number of votes cast in this year’s Best Bartender contest, we are pleased to present our 2009 winner: Gregory Williams of Simone’s Bar.

This laid-back bartender from the Bahamas has lived everywhere from Miami to Michigan, and his expansive social network was perhaps the key to taking the title. Though he started out in last place out of the gate in the Final Four round, he sped into the lead thanks to friends and family rallied from around the world—literally, from study-abroad friends in Japan to a cousin in London voting with his coworkers.

When he’s not at Simone’s, Williams works at African restaurant Iyanze (and soon to reopen sibling spot Bolat) and manages his own fledging clothing line, Iridium (thinknscience.com). We quizzed him on everything from the big win to the significance of his nickname Platinum, which he got while working as a VIP concierge for celebrities at a resort in his native Bahamas.

How have your coworkers taken to your newfound fame?
One of the guys [at Simone’s] gave me a nickname, “Best in show.” Everyone had a lot of jokes and everyone was clowning.…but they told me, “I voted for you and told all my friends to vote for you.” It was a team effort.

Are people coming into the bar looking for you?
A lot of people came in and said, “Oh my god, you’re the dude from Metromix!” We have this other guy that works there named Seneca, and we look sorta similar. He actually works mornings, so when I’m clocking in, he’s clocking out…and every time I come in to work, he told me, “A lot of people have been asking me, ‘Hey, are you Greg?’ and I’m like, ’Uh, no.’” But I’m going to vote for you, because I know a win for you is a win for me too.” So he’s getting a lot of free publicity out of this!

Your nickname, Platinum, is everywhere, from your e-mail address to your Twitter account. What’s the story?
Platinum is considered to be the best and most precious metal in the world. I just try to live a platinum life and have a platinum attitude, being the best at everything I do. I always try to keep things above par. With my clothing line, I want to be the best. With bartending, I want to be the best.

Hey, and now you have the title to prove it!
Exactly! I always try to give people platinum service and…[make] the best drinks that I possibly can so that people…continue to be a customer. You know, the greatest thing is having regulars, people who really want to come back.

Most of your fellow finalists have never been to Simone’s. What would you say to readers who haven’t been there yet?
I would say it’s a sight to see. A lot of work was put into making that place by incredible designers whose ideas are just out of this world. Everyone enjoys working there, so it’s a happy environment. You don’t get attitude.

We were surprised to hear that your first job here in Chicago was working for T.G.I. Friday’s.
It was like, corny. I think that’s one of the reasons why I left that job, it just became really corny to me, and it was really corporate, and I’m not a corporate guy at all. I was just hungry for a job, you know. When I lived in Miami, I had three jobs to save up for college [and that was one of them]. They just transferred me, so it was at least cool to move here and have a job. 

At last week’s bash, you looked very studious behind the bar. Is that a true reflection of your bartending style?
I think was just so focused on trying to push out all those drinks! I didn’t even take the time to just really enjoy it. When I’m at the bar, if we get really busy, then I’ll become focused, but I think the key to my success is that I make people feel special. I’m a genuine dude and when people [are] talking, I’m listening to what you’ve got to say.

You’re a fashionable guy with your own clothing line. They say a lady shouldn’t match your handbag to your shoes. Should you avoid matching your drink to your outfit?
I think you can. A lot of people do that. If you’re dressed up really fancy, you’re going to want a nice fancy martini. If you’re just out with hanging with the boys, it’s, “yeah, give me a Miller Lite!” I think people do like kind of try to match. You think about what you’re putting in your hand.

How are you going to use your title for the greater good of Chicago?
I’m going to hold the title and make all my previous winners proud. I’m going to take it to another level! Bolat’s reopening I think in about two weeks. I’m going to be helping create a drink list there.

Can you give us a preview?
I can’t tell right now because it’s not finished yet, but it’s going to be a lot of refreshing tropical stuff. It’s going to be awesome that I get to put a whole drink list and the whole bar together. It’s going to be my creation, my baby.

Visit Gregory at Simone’s on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Lisa Arnett is the Metromix nightlife and shopping producer. lmarnett@tribune.com