We recently connected with David Muhlstein and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, David thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I’ve been in the service industry for about 20 years now. And I feel in love with Tiki & Rum back in 2007 while I was living in Los Angeles. Back then, the industry was just a job for me. I enjoyed it, but I didn’t feel fulfilled. It helped support my lifestyle of traveling. I remember sitting at Tiki Ti in Hollywood and thinking to myself about the craft and thought that goes into the blending of different rums to create a base for some of these classic cocktails. I remember thinking that there was a lot of thought put into some of these drinks.
I think you have to approach something like this with an open mind. Assume you don’t know anything and just soak it all in. Back then, there wasn’t as much information published and the internet wasn’t what it is today. So I couldn’t just google cocktail specs or read a lot of information on classic Tiki cocktails. I had to do what most did, ask questions to the bartenders and visit as many different Tiki bars to see what everyone was doing. Mind you, there was a good handful in California then, but not like what we see now.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I got in the industry in the early 2000’s. I was playing music in a band at the time and working in a restaurant allowed me to take as much time off as needed for shows and tours. It was an ideal job for someone like myself. That is were my journey in this industry started. As for Tiki, that came later. IN 2007, while I was living in L.A. as I stated before.
I feel into The Captain’s Cabin in early 2019. I had started my employment at Hula’s Modern Tiki here in Phoenix in 2018. The Captain’s Cabin already had a bartender at the time and I was mostly just focusing on the cocktail program for the restaurant. But I secretly was very envious of the bar next door. The freedom to create and explore Tiki further. It was something that I didn’t realize would be made available to me just a few months later. So when the opportunity came to take the bar over, I jumped on it.
The Bar is definitely a labor of love. I spend lots of time prepping that bar and executing classic Tiki as well as signature cocktails. The bar has a max capacity of around 25 people and it’s a one man show for me. I do it all. I don’t have any support staff in here and I work really hard in creating a space that is welcoming and comfortable. I want everyone to feel welcome when they walk through those doors. I really hope its conveyed in my cocktails.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Knowing that when guests walk through my door and sit down that they feel welcome. I enjoy hearing positive feedback on my cocktails. I also enjoying crafting a cocktail to suit the needs and desires for my guests on a whim. its challenging and rewarding.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I want to continue growing and learning. I love surrounding myself with other creatives in my craft. I love asking questions and learning about spirits and what goes into them. My goal in this field is to honestly never stop creating. I hope I get to learn as much as I can in this industry. I truly do love it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @_captaindavid_
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmuhlstein/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-captains-cabin-phoenix-2
Image Credits
Photo by: Nader Abushhab