This week I sit down with Leah Dunnigan, Bar Manager at Savile Row in Brisbane; a bar that’s equal parts thousand-bottle whisky temple, high-volume cocktail machine, and late-night dance party. Leah’s story is wild: from anxious uni student with a stutter to Baxter Inn head bartender, Bar Planet AVM, and now the woman steering one of Australia’s most-loved bars... all while being a mum and a recent Bartender of the Year winner.

We talk about the real stuff: night shifts with a toddler, what supportive employers actually look like, the pressure to perform, burnout, sobriety resets, and why “silly” cocktails absolutely have a place on serious menus. It’s honest, energising, and very Leah.

• 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

  00:47 Leah's Journey into Hospitality

  02:21 Transition to High-End Bartending

  06:13 Balancing Motherhood and Career

  08:23 Challenges and Support in Hospitality

  15:51 Future Aspirations and Industry Challenges

  21:53 The Excitement of Hospitality

  22:38 Creative Drink Innovations

  26:51 Memorable Bar Experiences

  29:48 Handling Burnout in Hospitality

  31:36 Quickfire Questions and Fun Stories

  39:10 Leaving a Legacy in Hospitality

• This episode includes discussion of mental health, burnout, abusive dynamics, and sexual assault within the hospitality industry.

  • Find Leah at Savile Row, Brisbane

  • Keep an eye out for Leah’s upcoming conversation series

  • Follow Overproof and hit ★★★★★ on Spotify/Apple

  • Share the episode with a friend in hospo who needs permission to set a boundary

  Host: Sarah Dawn Mitchell — Overproof
  Guest: Leah Dunnigan — Bar Manager, Savile Row (Brisbane)
  

  Here’s to slowing down and still having fun behind the bar.

Join Johnny G and myself as we discuss what Club Suntory is doing for the community, educations and diversity.Then listen up! We are talking all things NZ Bar Con, Suntory has gone all in this year with 4 events!Sign up to the events atnzbarcon.comand sign up to Club Suntory atClub.suntory.com

What a line up for the final Maybe Cocktail Festival Round Table!

In this episode of 'OverProof,' I sit down with

• Giacomo Gianotti, founder of Paradiso Bar - currently rated Worlds #1 Bar in The Worlds 50 Best
• Giorgio Bargiani, Assistant Director of Mixology at The Connaught in London
• Simone Caporale, founder of Sips & Boadas, Flavour Blaster, Canaima Gin, The Art of Shaking, Amaro Santoni
• Stefano Catino, Founder of The Maybe Group & Maybe Cocktail Festival.

We sit down to share their personal highs, lows, and wildest experiences in hospitality. From career milestones like being named the world's best bar to the challenging moments of managing staff and maintaining excellence, these industry icons delve into what it takes to stay at the top.

They also discuss their unique approaches to cocktail creation, how they inspire and motivate their teams, and the importance of finding joy in daily interactions.

This is one of my favourite interviews so far - just packed with insights into the lives of those who do hospitality best. I cannot wait for you guys to listen!

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming the Guests

00:24 Meet the Panel: Bartenders' Backgrounds

02:14 Highs in the Hospitality Industry

08:57 Lows in the Hospitality Industry

17:32 Wild Stories: The Buffalo Moments

28:31 Pride in Ownership and Unique Cocktail Concepts

30:58 A Day in the Life of Simon Caporale

32:33 Living Unconventionally for Focus

34:59 Balancing Work and Personal Life

37:09 The Importance of Hard Work and Consistency

39:08 Innovative Cocktail Presentations and Inspirations

42:31 Working with Family and Team Dynamics

44:55 Finding Joy in Repetition and Excellence

50:38 Staff Motivation and Leadership

53:02 Quickfire Questions and Wrap-Up

WHAT A LINEUP - In this roundtable discussion, I chat with some of the most notable figures from the cocktail industry.

I chat with

• Ricardo Nava, owner of Bar Mauro and Bacardi brand ambassador from Mexico City;
• Stefano Catino, director of the Maybe group and Maybe festival;
• Jacob Briars, Global advocacy director for Bacardi; and
• Agostino Perrone, Director of mixology at the Connaught Hotel in London.

They delve into their humble beginnings in the hospitality industry, discuss the importance of passion and curiosity, and weigh in on trends they’d like to see more or less of in the industry. The conversation also covers the evolution of cocktail competitions, and the significance of delivering unforgettable guest experiences. With a mix of humor, nostalgia, and valuable advice, this episode is a must-watch for anyone passionate about the world of cocktails and hospitality.00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Remarks00:41 Meet the Guests: Introductions and Backgrounds01:00 Early Career Stories and First Hospitality Roles02:00 The Journey to Global Advocacy03:05 Building a Career in Mixology05:28 The Importance of Education and Networking20:36 Opening a Bar: Challenges and Successes26:49 Reflections on the Hospitality Industry32:09 The Importance of a Harmonious Home33:10 The Evolution of Cocktail Competitions34:31 The Birth of 42 Below's Extreme Competitions36:16 The Impact of Cocktail Competitions on Bartenders38:42 Challenges and Stories from the Bar45:42 Bartending Trends and Preferences54:04 Memorable Bars and Bartending Experiences01:01:05 Final Thoughts and Reflections

I was lucky enough to be able to bring Overproof to the Maybe Cocktail Festival - thanks to Campari Australia for sponsoring the trip!

This is the first of three round tables I hosted - in this episode I sit down with

• Happy (Alex Gilmour) from Conrad Singapore Orchid - who own the liked of Manhattan bar in Singapore. He is the beverage director for the group and an advocate for the Burnt Chef Project helping better prepare and advocate for mental health support in the industry.
• Sebastian Tollius from Clemente Bar at Eleven Madison Park in New York. He is the beverage director and doing some really interesting fermentations - particularly with koji.
• Finally, Evica Domonji from Mirror Bar in Bratislava. Evica worked her way up from barback to senior bartender and now gets the insane opportunity to travel all around the world representing Mirror bar at festivals and takeovers.

These three have so much experience and knowledge to offer and I hope you find as much value from this coversation as I did.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:29 Legendary Hangover Stories

02:31 The Burnt Chef Project

04:56 Mental Health Practices in Hospitality

09:42 Bar Concepts and Innovations

15:29 Guest Experience and Personal Touches

17:14 Hospitality Journeys and Career Growth

21:45 The Value of Guest Shifts

22:17 Networking and Cultural Exchange at Mirror Hospitality Expo

24:32 The Importance of Genuine Passion in Hospitality

27:28 Onboarding and Training in the Hospitality Industry

30:59 Quick Fire Questions: Trends, Guilty Pleasures, and Must-Visit Venues

38:10 Leaving a Legacy in Hospitality

39:27 Final Thoughts and Advice

In this episode of Overproof, we're joined by the humble, hilarious, and deeply thoughtful Andy Chu, owner of One or Two Bar in Melbourne. Originally from Hong Kong, Andy shares his journey from underage sips of alcohol in physics class (yep) to dropping out of engineering school and pursuing hospitality full-time.

We chat about the philosophy behind One or Two Bar, a venue that flips the script on Melbourne drinking culture by prioritizing quality over quantity—and intimate, meaningful service over big groups and rowdy nights. Andy opens up about the ducks (yes, ducks), how a bar concept can start with a restless night, and the challenges of doing things differently in an industry that often plays it safe.

From licensing battles to unexpected vomit trails, we go deep on what it really takes to open and sustain a tiny venue with big heart—and how introverts can still thrive in hospo.00:00 Introduction and Guest Background00:32 Journey into Hospitality02:31 Balancing Creativity and Social Interaction04:11 Concept and Creation of One or Two07:51 Challenges and Realities of Running a Bar11:39 The Duck Story and Bar Events14:48 Financial and Operational Challenges18:06 City Life Realities18:34 Challenges of Opening a Bar18:41 Financial Struggles and Location Issues23:09 Staffing and Service Standards24:30 Quickfire Questions29:42 Hospitality Horror Stories32:40 Legacy in Hospitality

Empowering our Industry: Kristine talks about founding The Ada Coleman Project and her journey through hospitalityKristine shares her extensive background in various roles including pastry chef, restaurant owner, sommelier, and beverage director. We discuss her journey from Los Angeles to Italy, her experiences in the industry, and the challenges she has faced, such as navigating a new restaurant through unexpected wildfires.

Kristine shares why her and Kaitlyn founded The Ada Coleman Project, an advocacy initiative founded to support and elevate women and non-binary individuals in the hospitality sector. The guest explains the project's inception, its goals to increase gender equity through education and mentorship, and its early successes in global activations and partnerships. 00:00 Introduction and Welcoming03:40 Guest's Background in Hospitality04:34 Living in Italy05:19 Travel Experiences08:51 The Outer Coleman Project20:05 Challenges in the Hospitality Industry25:20 Overcoming Setbacks and Emotional Challenges26:43 Balancing Leadership and Humanity27:14 Community Support During Tough Times27:56 The Future of Hospitality and Diversity29:29 Measuring Success in the Ada Coleman Project32:40 Engaging Partnerships and Sponsorships34:03 Quickfire Questions: Memorable Drinks and Trends42:14 In the Weeds: Thriving in High-Pressure Situations45:09 Leaving a Legacy in Hospitality

PRIYANKA BLAH

• Founder of The Dram Attic

• Hospitality Coach

• Independent Consultant for Emerging Spirit Brands
  Bar World 100 Most Influential

• Academy Chair – World’s 50 Best Bars

I sit down with Priyanka Blah, to discuss her take on the industry.

Priyanka is a beverage industry veteran from Bangalore, India, who has been active for over 15 years.

Priyanka shares her experiences and challenges of promoting South Asian bartenders and bars, as well as her role as a hospitality coach.

We chat about preconceived notions about these regions, the importance of social media in boosting local talent, and her strategies for maintaining health and wellbeing while traveling.

She also emphasizes the need for more guest-focused hospitality and chats through how she got to where she is today.

Let's give South Asian bars and cocktail culture the recognition they deserve!00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:23 Guest Background and Career Journey01:15 Spotlighting South Asian Bars02:35 Challenges and Misconceptions06:10 Hospitality Coaching and Consulting08:09 Travel Experiences and Health Tips14:46 Building a Personal Brand18:40 Women in the Whiskey Industry22:29 Hospitality Industry Insights30:45 Quickfire Questions and Fun Stories36:07 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Find Priyanka here:

The Dram Attic

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