Back in the day, bartending might have been a man’s domain. But not anymore! Women have shown that they have the skills and flair to be bartenders as well. For quite a few years now, many women have taken to bartending, several of whom have paved their way ahead and are in the limelight. And to enlighten you with proof, here are 10 women bartenders in India who’ve reached heights and have broken the glass ceiling.
10 Women Bartenders In India
- Shatbhi Basu
- Ami Behram Shroff
- Dhanashree Kirdat Punekar
- Vibhuti Angane
- Feruzan Billimoria
- Colette Pereira
- Ipsita Chakraborty
- Sonam Rai
- Arati Mestry
- Hemali Bendre
Shatbhi Basu
If you’re talking about OG people, then you have Shatbhi Basu as one of the pioneers of women bartending in India. She has been a consultant, a brand ambassador, and a bartender for over four long decades. But most of all, Sharbhi Basu has been and will continue to be a great inspiration to budding bartenders in India.
Adding to her list of achievements, she now runs her own bartending school in Mumbai called Stir Academy of Bartending. She is also the proud author of books such as The Can’t Go Wrong Book of Mocktails and The Can’t Go Wrong Book of Cocktails.
Her zeal for the art doesn’t fade and she encourages those around her by conducting various workshops across the country. There is much to learn from this legend and that’s why she takes the top spot on this list.
Ami Behram Shroff
Ami Behram Shroff grew towards the craft when she was just in her teenage years and ever since then, she hasn’t looked back. The result is that she is now one of India’s most recognized female bartenders. Additionally, she happens to be the country’s first flair bartender, and watching her work is nothing short of a show!
As of today, she has performed at over 20 destinations across the nation and internationally. Plus, she’s one of the few people that come to mind when they need someone for gigs and events – such is the name she has made for herself. Ami Behram is also the winner of many events and competitions in which she was the solo woman participant. Pretty impressive, right?
When she is not doing what she loves most, you will find her trekking, backpacking, and camping.
Dhanashree Kirdat Punekar
Dhanashree started out with the intention of becoming a culinary chef, but life had other plans. Her interest in bartending piqued when she came across beverages. That’s when she began crafting her own cocktails and mocktails, and later developed an interest in mixology.
Now she popularly goes by the nickname “liquid chef” and works as an Operations Manager at Stir Academy of Bartending.
Vibhuti Angane
Not many people think of bartending as a career option since it’s unconventional, and there is only a certain niche of people who are interested in the craft. Vibhuti Angane was one of those few who chose this route and decided to take bartending to the next level.
With years of experience under her belt in the hospitality industry, Vibhuti now teaches at the ICE College of Hotel Management in Mumbai. Her dedication to her craft and the lengths she’ll go to create something brilliant are the qualities that make her get a spot on this list.
Feruzan Billimoria
Feruzan Bilimoria is another individual who is known as one of the best women bartenders in India. Feruzan began as a chef. But one day, she had to fill up for a fellow bartender at an event and that’s when her career took a different path.
She began freelancing and slowly made her way to the top. The journey included a ton of ups and downs, but ultimately the process helped her to garner a whole list of achievements. Her determination opened doors, and she worked in some of the most prestigious outlets such as Mumbai’s London Taxi, JW Marriot, and Romano’s. Currently, she’s the brand ambassador of Stranger & Sons – a reputed gin brand – where her main domain lies in cocktail research and educating the masses about the brand.
When it comes to her life mantras, a verse from her favorite book Liquid Intelligence by Dave Arnold takes the cake: “Question everything and search for the answer yourself.”
Colette Pereira
Colette had a steady job in the Public Relations and Marketing sector. But she left everything behind and chose bartending. Plus, she got the support of her family and that boosted her confidence even more.
She graduated from Cocktails & Dreams, a prestigious bar school in Mumbai, and currently works at Hakkasan in Mumbai, bringing her innovations and cocktail experiments to life.
Ipsita Chakraborty
Although born and raised in Malaysia, Ipsita Chakraborty has not forgotten her Bengali heritage and tries as much to infuse her culture in her preparations. Coming from a corporate field, Ipsita moved to the bartending scene without having formal training; she just decided to take the plunge!
She considers herself to be a “cook” when she’s behind the counter. While creating her cocktails, she loves using homegrown ingredients and is a huge promoter of zero-waste. When it comes to a signature drink, Ipsita is known for her Bitter Sweet Symphony. This tequila-based drink has a bitter-sweet tinge to it that’s inspired by Patrón Cafe, a coffee-based liqueur. Her other well-known creations are the Tom Yam Martini and Smokey Whiskey.
Sonam Rai
Coming from a small town in Bihar and without any formal training in the craft, Sonam Rai is a quick learner and has a more hands-on approach. She attributes her knowledge to her time as an assistant bartender at Mumbai International Airport’s GVK Lounge, where she honed her mixology skills.
With a penchant for dehydrated fruit garnishes and citrus drinks, she has carved her own persona in her signature drinks such as Bloody Habanero Margarita, Gin Grapefruit, and Basil Ginger Ale.
Arati Mestry
Now bar manager at the Seven Rivers Brewing Co, Taj Group, Arati is known for her competitiveness. She reached the finals of the Ultimate Bartender Championship where she competed against 19 men for the title. This shows that Ararti didn’t allow the gender factor to affect her while she was competing, making her strong and fierce.
When it comes to her favorite cocktail, she enjoys the Negroni – sweet vermouth and bitter Campari mix with gin. She states that this drink represents her personality as she sees herself as a complete yet simple person.
Hemali Bendre
A strong contender and one of India’s Top 12 World Class bartenders, Hemali Bendre is someone you should keep your eyes on. Her main motivation lies in cocktails served by classy bars around the world. If you look into her menu, you won’t find exact replicas of her inspirations, but creations of her own.
Innovation is the name of the game for Hemali Bendre. Aiming to create the best for her customers, her out-of-the-box creations are the reason why she’s one of the top women bartenders in India.
One of her signature cocktails is the Lady of the Lakes – a mixture of pink guava, grapefruit cordial, and grapefruit tonic, blended with a tinge of gin.
Summing Up
Now you know some of the top women bartenders in India. They have not only succeeded in breaking stereotypes but also inspired a whole generation of women to take up the art. So go out there and create a name for yourself.
FAQs
Who Are Some Of The Best Women Bartenders In India?
Some of the best women bartenders are Shatbhi Basu, Ami Behram Shroff, Dhanashree, Kirdat Punekar, Vibhuti Angane, Feruzan Billimoria, Colette Pereira, Ipsita Chakraborty, and many more.
Can Women Be Bartenders In India?
Yes, women can be bartenders in India. This profession is not restricted to a single gender at all. In 2007, the supreme court overturned the 1914 law that prevented women from tending bar.
What Industry Is A Bartender In?
A bartender is part of the catering industry.
Is Bartending A Good Career?
Bartending is an exciting career and one of the most sought-after positions in the hospitality industry. Although this profession is highly competitive, you can still make a decent wage to support yourself from it.
Where Can I Learn Bartending In India?
You can learn bartending in India from colleges such as the pan-national Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition (IHM colleges), Heritage Institute of Hotel & Tourism, Mixoflair Institute of Beverage Studies, and many more.
Are Bartenders And Baristas The Same?
Baristas mainly serve and prepare coffee-related beverages whereas bartenders deal with alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.
What Qualities Make A Good Bartender?
A good bartender will have good knowledge of drinks, impeccable customer service skills, and good time management.
Is Working In A Bar Hard?
Many are of the opinion that working in a bar is easy. But for this job, you need to be on your toes. Making sure that you don’t mess up an order and remembering what ingredients to include in a cocktail requires a good amount of experience.
