Lucas was all set for bible school and a life as a pastor — then cocktails happened and politely derailed the plan. Today, he brings a sharp, on-the-ground perspective on the trends shaping Kuala Lumpur’s drinking culture. He speaks candidly about English-speaking crowds drifting from cocktails to protein shakes, alongside big-spending Chinese-speaking guests who are increasingly open to learning about cocktails. From Malaysia’s diverse, multi-layered bar scene to the myth of

Sarissa brought Employees Only from New York to Singapore, shaping and educating an entire generation of dive-bar cocktail drinkers along the way. Sarissa’s journey took her from New York to Singapore in 2011, where she was recruited to help build what would become one of the most successful clubs in the world at Marina Bay Sands. That experience laid the foundation for a career beyond nightlife operations, eventually giving her the opportunity to launch her own F&B company,

Aki has been in love with Manhattans ever since her first sip at D.Bespoke — a classic that sealed her fate behind the bar. Aki moved from Japan to Singapore with a growing passion for cocktail-making, learning from Japanese bartenders both at home in Japan and in Singapore. It wasn’t the path she originally imagined — she graduated with a teaching degree and once aspired to be an elementary school teacher. But her love for meeting people and connecting with them led her behi

At first glance, Junglebird might feel tiki — but Divy is quick to set the record straight: it’s not tiki, it’s Malaysian, the place he’s proudly called home since 2017. Divy moved from the UK to Kuala Lumpur to open Junglebird, a rum bar that’s become a cornerstone of the city’s cocktail scene. It may not be the conventional career his parents once imagined — think doctor or lawyer — but behind the bar, Divy found something that truly resonates with him: an interest in the h

If not for his natural talent behind the bar, Yugnes would likely have ended up in the army — a path that makes his discipline, grit, and work ethic all the more evident in his cocktails today. Yugnes is the creative force behind The Elephant Room, a cocktail bar known for boldly showcasing the depth and diversity of Indian cuisine through drinks. From savory, boundary-pushing serves like the Crab Rassam — a martini-style cocktail made with actual flower crabs — to meticulous

Palm is known not just for his generosity towards his team, but also for his unapologetic love of his corgi — two things that say a lot about the kind of bar owner he is. Palm is one of Bangkok’s cocktail OGs, now running the award-winning Dry Wave Cocktail Studio after a long, influential career in the bar and spirits industry. Beyond the drinks, it’s his bubbly personality that defines the experience — the kind of hospitality where you walk in as a customer and leave as a f

Felix’s journey behind the bar took him from Germany to Malaysia, where he met Cheryl — and eventually convinced her to take the leap with him into opening a bar. Felix and Cheryl are the co-founders of Chez Chez — and partners both behind the bar and in real life. Their easy banter, playful disagreements, and shared rhythm are instantly familiar to anyone who’s lived and worked with their other half. It’s that genuine chemistry that gives Chez Chez its warm, fun, slightly ch

A no-nonsense industry vanguard, Niks champions fair employment standards — and has zero tolerance for dirty bar toilets. Niks is one of Bangkok’s true originals — the driving force behind transforming Chinatown’s Soi Nana into one of the city’s most vibrant cocktail-hopping districts. Long before it became fashionable, he was shaping the area’s identity bar by bar, helping redefine how Bangkok drinks. His influence reached a global audience after being featured on Netflix’s

Maria may look serious behind the bar, but don’t be fooled — when martinis are involved, Maria can quite literally drink anyone under the table. She is the bar manager of Penrose, and while she may be relatively new to the bar world, her rise has been nothing short of remarkable. Formerly a professional dancer — and a Miss Universe Malaysia 2018 finalist — she brought discipline, stage presence, and grace into bartending, where she underwent rigorous training under Jon Lee wh

With an interesting tattoo history and an even wilder love for his dog Lola, Pae has racked up more than a decade behind the bar — all while somehow looking like he’s barely old enough to drink. Pae is the face of Funkytown, bringing his signature energy and talent to Bangkok’s cocktail scene. His journey has taken him from Shanghai to Tokyo and now back home, but bartending wasn’t always the plan — he once set his sights on becoming a chef and even studied in Melbourne for i

With her bubbly personality and a twelve-seater bar built for intimate chats, snagging a seat at June’s counter is hands-down the best way to spend your night. June hails from South Korea but has made Singapore her home, where she co-founded Hup San Social Club and quickly became a warm, familiar face behind the bar. For her, bartending is more than a craft — it’s the rare chance to connect with guests in a truly intimate, personal way. That love for genuine interaction shine

Meet the ex-engineer and globetrotter whose latest passion project is a cocktail bar where he explores flavor pairings together with his wife and his adorable Munchkin cat named Whisky. Chong Hau has a knack for reinventing himself every few years. He began in IT, then shifted through a series of new pursuits before landing on his latest obsession: flavour exploration. His extensive travel and dining experiences opened his eyes to how ingredients can be elevated when treated

Dave swears he’s done with running Bar Stories at least once a week — but after 20 years behind the stick, he knows he’s far too in love with bartending to ever walk away. Dave is the man behind one of Singapore’s OG cocktail institutions, Bar Stories — though he’ll be the first to admit he didn’t start out with noble intentions. In his younger days, he got into bartending because he thought it’d help him meet girls. Fast-forward more than 20 years in the industry, and while

She might look fierce with her tattoos and that semi-permanent long-sighted squint, but behind the bar Shirmy turns out some seriously mean cocktails. Shirmy is one of Kuala Lumpur’s pioneering female bartenders, a trailblazer who has spent years proving her mastery of the craft. After cementing her reputation as a cocktail maven, the pandemic pause gave her the chance to recalibrate and finally realize a long-held dream: opening her own bar. Today, she helms Bar Terumi, wher

Patty loves her cocktails, and she knows her limits, which is why bartenders who are familiar with this bubbly barfly would never give her straight shots. Patty is one of Bangkok’s most beloved barflies — the kind whose smile gets her recognized in cocktail bars across the city and beyond. While rumors swirl about her owning some mysterious bar, she’s quick to set the record straight: she runs a bakery, not a bar. Still, her genuine love for great drinks and the people who ma

Vijay may champion regional spirits — but he’ll tell you straight up that milk punches should disappear and that most modern cocktails all simply look the same. Vijay is the driving force behind Native, a bar built on a steadfast, sustainability-led philosophy that champions local and regional ingredients. For nearly a decade, he has pushed the boundaries of what a truly rooted cocktail program can be, earning Native repeated recognition for its thoughtful approach to flavor,

Jon is best known for putting Penrose — and Kuala Lumpur — on the cocktail map, thanks to his steadfast commitment to elevated classics (and never selling just bottles). Jon brought his Singapore-honed cocktail experience home to Kuala Lumpur when he opened Penrose in 2022. The bar quickly earned a place on Asia’s 50 Best Bars, cementing his role in pushing KL’s cocktail scene forward. His mission hasn’t slowed since. With the launch of Lavantha, Jon continues to introduce ne

With a firm dislike of Fernet shots and a soft spot for cats, Amanda’s playful spirit hides the depth of her experience as a globetrotting veteran of the bar industry. Amanda’s bartending journey began in Malaysia, where her talent quickly set her apart before taking her across the world. She went on to hone her craft in Singapore, New York, London, and Hong Kong, building a global résumé shaped by some of the industry’s most dynamic cities. Now back in Kuala Lumpur, she’s ch

Shen is a stalwart of the Penang cocktail scene, known for putting the island on the map when Backdoor Bodega earned a spot on Asia’s 50 Best Bars. His influence has only grown since. He remains a driving force in Penang, championing its distinctive owner-operated bar culture and creating platforms like Penang Cocktail Week to showcase the city’s talent. Shen’s steady leadership continues to shape Penang into one of the region’s most characterful cocktail destinations.

With a focus on technique-driven methods of creating cocktails, Rich's ethos at Workshop14 has always been about using all-local ingredients. Rich’s colourful journey from Ghana to Vietnam eventually brought him to Hanoi, where he founded Workshop14 — now one of the city’s most exciting bars. His cocktails are deeply technique-driven, blending local ingredients, regional spirits, and a flair for creative experimentation to deliver fresh, unexpected experiences in every glass.