LA’s Best Bartender John Henry Binder at James’ Beach

Article from Oct. 18, 2017

If you have not had the good fortune of chilling at James Beach and getting to know John, who is also co founder of Venice Duck Brewery, here is a bit of his story.

A 23 year veteran bartender at James’ Beach, Binder says his love for good beer started with drinking Sierra Nevada while getting a history degree at UCSB.

The actual plan to launch a beer making operation hatched in 2003 at Hal’s bar where John met his business partner Christian Warren. Ten years later Venice Duck Brewery kicked out its first batches in 2013. Starting with a modest 20 bar account, Venice Duck Brewery was quickly picked up by So. Cal liquor distribution giant Southern Spirits.

Now widely recognized as one of the areas best microbreweries, Venice Duck Brewery offers three brews: Dog Town Duck is their IPA, Stoner Duck is their brown ale, and Lucky Duck is their wheat beer.

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When John is not slanging drinks in one fashion or another, he likes snowboarding, listening to Pearl Jam, hanging with his daughters ( Sophia, 15 and Gioanna, 11) and taking tandem bike rides through Venice.

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Here is a message from James Beach!

We want to honor our dear friend and master bartender, John Henry Binder, who is about to leave us at James’ Beach to pursue his dreams and enter a new chapter in his life. We all grew up together for over two decades and while we’re excited for his future success; it’s hard to say goodbye. 23 years ago, we had just started James’ Beach. James asked all of the bartenders; who wanted to take a chance working outside at the funny small bar with a palm tree growing through it? John volunteered and claimed his spot in Venice history and our hearts. After so many fun nights, Holidays, James’ Bond parties, friends birthdays, celebrations of every kind, people finding their dates and mates, 911, wakes, times we needed comfort, community or just to have a friend – through it all he captained the patio ship. We believe in neighborhood, love and friendliness and we will continue the connecting, love and friendliness that John cemented into the very fiber of that bar, that helped keep Venice, Venice. So let’s raise a glass of Dog Town Duck and toast John Henry Binder. We love you John!

Check out photos from his 2017 “Best LA Bartender” celebration!

It was an spectacular evening of revelry at James’ Beach. The locals came out en masse to toast one of their own, as John Henry Binder was crowned 2017 Best Bartender in Los Angeles. Folks took turns on the mic sharing warm memories of John, Daniel Samakow presented John with the coveted L.A. Weekly hardware, Venice Paparazzi set up a fun photo party, and people ate, drank, laughed, and cheered their way through the night in what was one of the best events ever.

Cheers to you, John Binder, the King of The Pour!

View 10.18.17 John Binder Day event pics by Venice Paparazzi.