If you’ve ever been scrolling through Instagram looking for a great cocktail, you may have come across @mrmartinis_. The account, run by Liam Torney, Alec Silowan, and Joe Long, is a compilation of cocktail ratings – Espresso Martinis, specifically – from all over Boston. Want to know where to sip your next beverage? Give the guys a follow. They’re passionate about good cocktails and good times. They started their Instagram account as a dedication to showcasing Boston’s gastronomic treasures, one sip at a time. Read on to learn about their favorite spots, their social media philosophy, and their advice for newbie influencers.
Tell us a little about yourself. How’d you end up in Boston, and what inspired you to create your Instagram account?
We all grew up in and around Boston. Most of us grew up in Weymouth, MA and hung out in the city on the weekend. Now that we’re a bit older, some of us have moved into the city and now spend much more time there. We’re big restaurant guys and are lucky that Boston has so many gems.
What makes the Boston restaurant scene special?
What sets the Boston restaurant scene apart is the remarkable individuals who bring these establishments to life. From the dedicated staff and talented bartenders to the visionary owners and passionate chefs, it’s their unwavering commitment to excellence that infuses the dining experience with unparalleled quality and brilliance. As a review page, we’ve had the privilege of visiting numerous restaurants, and time and again, we’ve discovered that the true magic lies in the people who pour their heart and soul into creating memorable culinary moments.
Name the top five dishes on your Boston food bucket list.
Our top five espresso martinis can be found at:
- Woods Hill Pier 4
- Bricco
- 2TWEWNTY2
- Wicked Craft
- 1928 Beacon Hill
What do your friends and family think of your life as an influencer?
Our friends and family have taken quite the liking to our content. The Espresso Martini is such a popular drink in the greater Boston area, and because of the community we have developed, people recognize us on the streets as the “Martini guys.” Our followers take our advice on the best places to get a good drink. We’ve made a lot of new connections and with the help of our events, we bring together a great crowd of espresso martinis lovers.
What’s your food photography/videography philosophy, and can you share your top tips for taking awesome food photos or videos? Do you use any fun tools or equipment for snapping the best ‘gram worthy content?
Our philosophy to keep it simple, real, and honest for our viewers. We try to make raw videos of our experiences at each restaurant so that people can get the true feeling of the restaurant. We then edit the videos and put them out to the public. It’s important that we keep it simple so that our crowd can connect with us.
What advice would you give someone just starting out as an influencer?
Be yourself. We didn’t intend to be influencers, but instead a page that people could rely on for honest takes on Boston restaurants. A second piece of advice is to make sure you love the content you’re putting out. Don’t force it or it’ll end up feeling fake. Film things you love and are passionate about and make sure to put your personality behind it.
Which Boston restaurants and chefs are nailing it on social?
Wicked Craft’s social presence is really impressive. They’re always putting out awesome videos of daily happenings, new cocktail and menu items, and Sunday brunch hype content. We’ve watched them grow their community to nearly 20K followers in less than 2 years which is really impressive.
Beyond chefs, what are your top three favorite food Instagram accounts to follow?
- @Discover.Boston
- @DiningBoston
- @stoolpresidente‘s pizza reviews
Favorite spot that everyone should try once: Lifted at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport
Favorite place to splurge: Wicked Craft
Favorite brunch spot: Wicked Craft
Favorite pizza joint: Poopsies
Favorite neighborhood for food: North End
Favorite spot to take visitors from out of town: The Grand
Favorite foodie book or movie: Mr. Boston Cocktails Book
