Up Close & Personal: Sly Augustin
In the first of our new series, we talk to Sly Augustin, owner of London’s Trailer Happiness, about the ins and outs of running a bar business, how he deals with failure and setbacks, and what he wish he’d known before becoming a bar owner
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The future is yours to create: Teo ParkTeo Park is a Seoul-based bartender who finds meaning in sharing everyday life with his guests, one drink, one conversation at a time. As he prepares to open his new bar Hand in Hand, Teo reflects on his quiet perseverance, romantic approach to bartending, and what it meant to represent Korea on the international Red […]
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The future is yours to create: Joel PoonJoel Poon is a seasoned hospitality professional and creative force behind Reka:Bar in Kuala Lumpur. With a background in Hospitality Management and a passion for taking care of people, Joel blends technical precision with heartfelt storytelling in every drink he creates. Known for his curiosity, mentorship, and drive to constantly evolve, he’s a respected voice […]
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The future is yours to create: Ruka HattoriRuka Hattori is a bartender from Japan known for her thoughtful, story-driven cocktails that blend cultural tradition with modern creativity. Her approach to hospitality is personal and precise, always centered on making genuine connections with her guests. With a quiet confidence, she brings a unique voice to the international bartending scene. A little bit about […]
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The future is yours to create: Heng LyheangHeng Lyheang is a passionate bartender from Cambodia whose journey into hospitality began with a spark of inspiration at a high school graduation party. Growing up in an NGO, he discovered bartending as a creative outlet and a way to connect with people from all walks of life. Today, he channels that early motivation into […]
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The future is yours to create: Vandena YanartaVandena is the Bar Manager of Club Soda Canggu and a proud Balinese native whose passion for hospitality was sparked by the film Cocktail. Known for his warmth, creativity, and deep respect for nature, he brings soulful storytelling and environmental consciousness into his work behind the bar. His journey reflects a blend of island spirit, […]
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The future is yours to create: Ahe LiAhe Li is a passionate bartender from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, known for his joyful spirit and thoughtful creativity behind the bar. A proud member of Roma Roma, an Italian-style pizzeria bar, Ahe brings warmth, curiosity, and storytelling into every cocktail he creates. His work reflects a blend of Taiwanese heart and Italian inspiration, making each drink […]
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The future is yours to create: Julian ShortFrom Sin + Tax bar in Johannesburg, our seventh interviewee in our series is beverage director Julian Short. He chats about life-changing travel experiences, talking more about the impact of working with alcohol, and sharing our failures A little bit about me I have been bartending since 2014. I started bartending because quite simply, I […]
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South Korea’s happiest bar owner on driving his local cocktail industryTerry Kim has built an empire of bar excellence in South Korea. He explains how happiness can inspire future generations as his local industry continues to grow – and how he ascended to the top of his game ‘Happiness’ is the word Terry Kim uses the most when talking about his career in hospitality. Approaching […]
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How Aki Wang is Leading Taiwan’s Bartending CommunityOne of the Asia’s bartending greats, Aki Wang, founder of Indulge Life Hospitality Group, is consistently advocating for Taiwan’s bar industry to push its limits. He shares his insight and experience on what local culture could provide to the international bartending arena In 2007, Aki Wang had just won one of the biggest cocktail competitions […]
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The future is yours to create: Josephine SondloFifth in our new series is Josephine Sondlo, founder of Sizwe Studios in Stockholm. She talks about her habit of repetition, how to be smarter working with brands, and why goal setting is important A little bit about me I was born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden, and while food and drinks have always been […]
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Up close & personal: Juan Yi Jun, No Sleep ClubFor the final instalment in our series, we spoke to Juan Yi Jun, owner and co-founder of No Sleep Club. Jun talks about the compromises that are necessary as you scale up your business, the experience of managing staff throughout the Covid-19 crisis, and developing her own skills as a leader since then, in order […]
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The future is yours to create: Keith MotsiKeith Motsi, head bartender at VIRTÙ and head of beverage operations at Four Seasons Hotel Toyko at Otemachi is the sixth in our series. He tells us how he loves to see other people flourish, why the term ‘role model’ has become obsolete, and what we should encourage the next generation to do A little […]