A cocktail is an art. And every cocktail you have today has been perfected by generations of bartenders carefully playing with flavours and spirits. Some have contributed so much to the bar industry, of which we are unaware, that we have decided to list the 5 most influential bar industry figures as per the renowned magazine Bar World 100.
1. Ryan Chetiyawardana
Known as Mr Lyan, Ryan Chetiyawardana is an award-winning bartender and businessman. He founded the now-closed Dandelyan (Lyaness stands at its spot now) which was awarded the title of World’s Best Bar, 2018. His first venture was White Lyan, a cocktail bar in London that offered cocktails made from zero perishables, meaning no fruits or ice were used in the making of the drinks. He is also the owner of Cub in London and Super Lyan in Amsterdam.
Ryan Chetiyawardana has always explored and experimented in his career, playing with cocktails to eliminate waste, and taking innovative and unique approaches to flavour. He is known to use his drinks as a medium to start conversations around global issues, such as sustainability.
2. Alex Kratena
A multi-award winning bartender, Alex Kratena co-founded non-profit organisation P(OUR) along with Ryan Chetiyawardana. A former Head Bartender of Artesian in London, he has led his team and bar to bag multiple awards with Artesian being awarded World’s Best Bar four times from 2012 to 2015 and he himself collecting the award for Best International Bartender in 2012 and Bar Personality of the Year 2013.
Alex Kratena recently launched his own venue Tayer + Elementary in London and a liqueur brand Muyu alongside his business partner Monica Berg. He is known for changing common perceptions around drink and hospitality in the industry, and presenting a new cocktail experience to his customers.
3. David Wondrich
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David Wondrich is an author, educator and a historian, considered to be an expert on the history of cocktails. His books Punch and Imbibe talk about the forgotten styles of cocktail making, with Imbibe collecting the famous James Beard award in 2007. He is also one of the co-founders of the prestigious America’s Beverage Alcohol Resource which offers an advanced training programme for bartenders.
David Wondrich is worshipped by mixologists around the globe, having taught and continuously teaching many to perfect their cocktail skills.
4. Ivy Mix
Starting her career in Guatemala at the age of 19, Ivy Mix stands as an award-winning co-founder of Leyenda bar, Brooklyn today. She is considered to be one of the best in the industry, possessing great knowledge on agave cocktails and the hospitality business. She won the American Bartender of the Year award in 2015 (Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards) and doubles as a global project consultant these days.
Ivy Mix co-founded Speed Rack in 2011, a global initiative that encourages female bartenders by holding competitions, and raises funds for breast cancer research.
5. Monica Berg
Beginning her career in Norway at the age of 18, Monica Berg is considered a leader in the industry today. Co-founding P(OUR), and winning the Linie Honorary Award (Norway) in 2015 and Industry Improver award at the Nordic Bartender’s Choice Awards in 2017, she has paved a way for herself from dreaming big to achieving big. She is the co-owner of Tayer + Elementary, London and liqueur brand Muyu alongside her business partner Alex Kratena.
Monica Berg is overseeing the bar and spirits programme at Himkok, a micro-distillery bar in Oslo. She is an enforcer of staff sustainability, seasonal produce and equality at workplace.
