Punch Up: Industry talk and training session.
Continuing on with the week of 50 best, I was invited to and attended a unique North America’s 50 Best Bars Official Event. This one had no alcohol, but it did still back plenty of punch (intended pun).
This was created as an industry event with and for bartenders. Hosted by former bartenders who knew and could personally speak to the need for balance in this line of work.
Held in Mount Pleasant’s Monarch Boxing gym, presented by former bartender and current professional boxer Leila Beaudoin, who supported our session alongside certified coach and industry veteran Brian Grant of Monarc Boxing.
Leila Beaudoin is a Canadian professional boxer. She has a record of 11 wins, 1 loss, and has challenged for the IBF, WBO and WBA female super-featherweight titles in 2025. She is scheduled to face Paulina Ángel for the vacant interim WBA female super-featherweight title at Théâtre Capitole in Quebec City, on June 11th, 2026.
This event was offered as a way to cleanse and take rest mid-week, to have a break and breathe of fresh air in between spirit seminars and nights of celebrating North America’s 50 Best Bars. To literally sweat some of it off.
As guests trickled in we took the time to gear up with NOA branded hand wraps. For those who needed the help, Monarch staff were ready and available to wrap your knuckles and wrists for you.
We first heard from Leila Beaudoin as she spoke to the realities of bartending where opportunity and peer pressure may have those in the industry burning the candle at both ends. Drinking after shifts, drugs to take the edge off, and not getting enough sleep. She advocated the ability to say no and to not drink, noting that options like NOA and other non-alcohol spirits didn’t exist when she worked at the bars. So now having them as options has really changed the industry and allows anyone the ability to enjoy a cocktail without any of alcohol’s side effects. In her present, when she is having a cheat day, but is still in training, she can go out with her friends and have something tasty, instead of just drinking water.
As for the actual boxing, this was a beginner-friendly session where we warmed up, learned the basics, and got in some drills. We began by jumbling rope, then learning the difference between jabs and punches, with footwork added on when we grew more confident. We then got a chance to gear up and face one another with gloves and pads, before taking it out on the bag. All the above while both our in-house coach and visiting athlete came around to give us pointers.
The class then ended with de-wrapping and a non-alcoholic punch social featuring NOA. This was a great private, limited-capacity session, for the bar and hospitality community. Built around the idea of movement, health, and community. For the people who pour their energy into everyone else’s nights.
Monarc Boxing Club
79 W 3rd Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Y 3T8
monarcboxing.com
