Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds donates to help bartenders

Photo: Aviation American Gin

Vancouver screen favourite Ryan Reynolds is donating $10,000 to the Canadian Professional Bartenders’ Association as bars remain closed across the country.

The Deadpool actor announced that, as owner of Aviation American Gin, he would also add “an additional 30 per cent tip” throughout April for every bottle ordered online.

“For the incredible bartenders in my homeland. We at Aviation Gin miss and love you all,” @VanCityReynolds tweeted.

“It’s been a big project that we’ve been working on for the past couple of weeks,” says CPBA president Trevor Kallies. “Aviation was one of the first brands to come back with something solid.”

As soon as the COVID-19-related layoffs hit the bartending community, the CPBA executive got on the phone to hammer out a plan to help their colleagues. The result is the CPBA Relief Measures Fund, which offers immediate financial assistance to members.

“We were just trying to figure out ‘What do we do?’” Kallies says. “We’re trying to be an advocate for Canadian bartenders.”

The association had some money set aside for events, which, of course, have all been cancelled. “We figured, at the very least, get this money into the hands of our bartenders,” Kallies says. “That money is way better off in their hands, doing what they need.”

The fund is not doling out enough cash to, say, pay a bartender’s rent, but it will help pay the bills in a short-term crunch. As Kallies says, “The first thing was everyone needs to take a trip to the grocery store, so let’s take care of that. Let’s get people some food in the fridge.”