If Daniel Ponsky looks familiar, it might be because you’ve seen him doing stand-up comedy at L.A.’s Laugh Factory, Comedy Store or The Improv. Or you might have seen him on TV’s Bar Rescue and Back to the Bar, which he appeared on for several years. Today, you can see Ponsky working as a mixologist at The Cabinet of Curiosities and The Lock at Bally’s.
After years working his comedy craft in L.A., where he was born and raised, Ponsky decided, “I didn’t want to be one of those broke comics living out of a car, and bartending was a way I could make money while focusing on my craft.” After two decades of working in comedy and sharpening his bartending skills all around L.A., five years ago, Ponsky decided to bring his skills to Vegas.
“Vegas has always been my absolute favorite travel destination,” he says. “I wanted to see if I could mesh with it.” Mesh he did, working at Sahara before he joined the opening team at Bally’s.
Ponsky works the lounge portion, The Cabinet of Curiosities (and yes, the lounge is filled with a collection of cool curiosities) and hidden speakeasy The Lock, where he personally curates cocktails. Besides the drinking adventure you’ll go on at The Cabinet of Curiosities and The Lock, Ponsky completes the experience with his awesome personality and mad bartending skills. “Behind the bar, I’m a comedian,” he says. “I have fun with my guests; I get ’em laughing. There’s nothing better than that. Being able to incorporate comedy and bartending in one space is exciting for me—that’s what keeps my passions flowing.”
Libation: Black Widow
Through Nov. 14, guests can check out The Cabinet of Curiosities’ “Spooky Cocktails,” like the Black Widow. How cool is a black cocktail?! It’s mixed with Crème de Cassis, Kahlua, vodka, activated charcoal, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ginger beer. “It’s got a sharp, earthy, ginger vibe to it,” Ponsky says.
Benefit: Inside The Lock, they show old black-and-white films. (Until Oct. 31, they’re silent, black-and-white horror films!)
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