LAILAW TAHERZADEH
36, Humboldt Park
Behind the bar: Tuesdays-Fridays (and occasionally Monday or Saturday) at Maude’s Liquor Bar in the West Loop
Bartending bio: Growing up in the Dallas area, restaurants and bars were a way of life in Lailaw’s family. “My parents migrated over from Iran to go into hospitality … before I was born,” she said. “[My dad] was a chef for many years, a bartender for many years and eventually had his own deli. … Talks at the kitchen table were always about hospitality.” While her male cousins were encouraged to bartend at her uncle’s restaurant, she wasn’t—but that didn’t stop her from doing so elsewhere. “I always wanted to do things that women were traditionally told they weren’t supposed to do. Culturally … it was never supported that I took the bartending route. It’s really important that women are looked at the same way in this craft.” After moving to Chicago, Lailaw bartended at Matilda, Leopold and Bavette’s before settling at Maude’s.
Signature drink: Polaire, a tequila-based cocktail with herbal and orange notes ($13 at Maude’s)
Bartending style: “Every bartender is a mixologist, but not every mixologist is a bartender,” Lailaw said. “I think you have to adapt to your guest’s needs, whether it’s more conversation, less conversation, strictly knowledge. … The strongest bartenders are ones that engage their guest and somehow captivate them and get them to come back and see you.” Lailaw has been told she can multitask well, especially on busy nights. “I keep my cool, I’m pretty even-keeled.”
When she’s not bartending: She loves painting—everything from murals to smaller works for homes. Though she draws some parallels between art and bartending—like the artful act of painting bitters through the foamy topper on a shaken egg white cocktail—Lailaw said she sees more similarities to her past hobby of playing soccer. “I’ve always been pretty athletic, so that’s where I get my hand-eye coordination and speed [for bartending.]”
Lessons learned from her family: “I definitely learned from my father helping him out [during] summers,” she said. “He would always tell me to treat my guests well, how to be hospitable … how to help direct, how to be realistic.”
Drinks of choice: “I’m a tequila drinker,” she said. When she’s out, Lailaw also enjoys wine and beer, “or just entertaining at home is my actual favorite of all.”
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