Frankie Solarik is responsible for one of Toronto's most smashing sensations, and his work on the cocktail scene is far from over.
Solarik opened Queen Street West's BarChef in 2008, and the seasonal, culinary-inspired beverages, which are equal parts intricate and Instagram-worthy, were integral in transforming Toronto's cocktail scene into the thriving industry it is today.
But Solarik wasn't done showing off his cocktail innovations to the city--and the globe. First came Netflix's Drink Masters, a show that put global mixologists to work, testing their ability to create liquid art and ultimately crowning a champion. Then came a set of BarChef candles, bringing the flavours of Vanilla and Hickory Smoked Manhattans into the living rooms of cocktail enthusiasts across the country. And, now comes Solarik's newest venture, another brick and mortar space that allows him to once again have his liquid art on display: Prequel & Co. Apothecary.
Opening in 2023, Prequel will offer the same immersive cocktail experience as BarChef, but has been dubbed as the place "where the story begins." Located just steps away from Solarik's original spot, Prequel is located at 1036 Queen Street West and is slated to open in early 2023. According to the website, the cocktail bar is "inspired by the apothecaries of the Art Nouveau era of Paris 1890-1910."
For the interior design of the space, Solarik partnered with Tim Luke Design to bring his vision to life. Based on Instagram photos, the space will have tons of intricate, designed wood reminiscent of legitimate apothecaries from the turn of the century. The pair knew each other before getting to work on the Prequel interior, too, as they had already worked together on the Drink Masters set.
While there is no exact opening date for Prequel & Co. Apothecary yet, the information will be shared on Instagram and on the bar's website.
