We raise a glass to these cocktail queens, who prove that gender is no barrier to success in the world of mixology.
It’s not often you’ll find female bartenders in Singapore’s male-dominated industry. But nowadays, more female bartenders are rocking the night shift and helming the bars. That’s why our eyes light up whenever we encounter one in a cocktail bar, a secret speakeasy, or the latest watering hole. Our excitement and admiration grow, and we’re curious how they got to where they are today. We speak to five female bartenders who open up about their unique experiences navigating this industry.
5 female bartenders shaking up Singapore’s cocktail scene
Yana Keller, head bartender at Atlas
Yana’s foray into bartending was an unexpected turn from her initial role as a barista at Atlas. After watching the talented bar team, she was inspired to switch her vocation. The head bartender says the transition felt natural, and being a woman in this industry has only added to the uniqueness of her journey.
However, Yana has encountered her fair share of challenges. When she first started in the industry, she noticed there weren’t many female bartenders who held the top spots. “We had to prove ourselves by breaking the typical stereotypes and showcasing that gender doesn’t define our capabilities,” she emphasises. Today, the landscape has changed, with an increasing presence of women in the industry, including the diverse bar team within Atlas.
Throughout her career, she found inspiration in mentors like Singapore Cocktail Bar Association’s vice president Vivian Pei, whose commitment to nurturing female talent has been influential. “Her support has significantly impacted my growth in this field,” she acknowledges.
Reflecting on standout moments, she recalls a journey filled with incredible experiences, one of which was leading the launch of Atlas’ drinking menus. From contributing to individual drinks to spearheading entire menu concepts, the evolution was humbling and empowering for Yana.
Yana’s favourite cocktail: The classic Sloe Gin Fizz. Even though you can find it almost anywhere, the drink becomes special when each bar puts a twist on it. Yana equates it to a little adventure in discovering how bartenders interpret this cocktail.
If she could create a cocktail inspired by Singapore, what would it be? A variation on another cocktail classic, Grasshopper. She’d call it Garden City and use cognac, pandan, mint cacao, coconut cream, and freshly grated nutmeg for the finishing touch.
Her recommended drinking spot in Singapore: The Writer’s Bar. “Imagine stepping into a sophisticated lounge that feels like a cosy library. It’s the perfect spot to unwind and savour a top-notch selection of spirits, wines, and cocktails. The ambience might inspire you to pen down your masterpiece,” Yana enthuses.
Ong Zi Ping, bartender at Gibson
Gibson’s Zi Ping decided to pursue bartending because she was fascinated with unexpected drink flavour combinations and the science behind concocting them. She credits her studies in materials science at Republic Polytechnic for her career and interest. As she progressed in her career, Zi Ping realised both the bartending industry and the STEM sector were still male-dominated. However, things are changing. “I’d say we’re encouraged and offered opportunities to join them as much as men are,” she opines.
Still, she’s faced her share of gender-specific obstacles, such as when guests indirectly hint that they’d prefer to have their cocktails made by male bartenders. Zi Ping takes it in her stride and attempts to prove them wrong, because “your bartender’s gender should never determine the quality of the drinks”.
She adds: “While it’s not possible to convert everyone to think this way, that’s okay because I still love what I do, and I have no regrets pursuing this career despite the challenges.”
Zi Ping finds it rewarding when guests enjoy a drink she’s made for them and return to seek her out for another cocktail. Another feather in her cap is when customers name-drop her and recommend Gibson to their friends. “It shows that I’ve made a difference and motivates me to continue crafting exceptional drinks,” she proudly shares.
Zi Ping’s favourite cocktail: Daisy, a sour-style classic cocktail you can find in most bars.
If she could create a cocktail inspired by Singapore, what would it be? She’d concoct a drink containing Nanyang coffee and butter, and name it Coffee From That Time. “The buttery notes help to mellow the coffee’s harsher flavour,” Zi Ping explains. The cocktail is inspired by her adoration for kopi gu you.
Her recommended drinking spot in Singapore: Zi Ping’s fond of Ziggy Zaggy, a gastropub located at Kallang Riverside. It’s cosy enough to hang out with friends, and she enjoys craft beer on tap and the spot-on curated drinks.
Hazel Long, head bartender and owner of Junior the Pocket Bar
“I kind of stumbled into bartending. It wasn’t in the ‘10-year plan’ I had for myself,” Junior the Pocket Bar’s head bartender and owner says. “But it’s one of the great decisions I made in this lifetime.” Hazel’s career has been different from the get-go, which she attributes to the values that her parents, mentors, and people around her have imbued her with.
When she first joined the scene, Hazel adopted a dismissive attitude towards misogynistic comments and perceived them as part of the norm. After working with supportive female peers and considerate male colleagues, the head bartender has shifted her focus to actively identifying instances of misogyny and advocating for a more inclusive and respectful workplace environment.
She explains: “Choosing silence over action doesn’t grant me any favours and allows this behaviour to continue without feedback. So now, my biggest challenge is heightening my senses, recognising when misogyny is present, and addressing it.”
Having been in the industry for some time, Hazel tells us all her achievements hold significant personal meaning since they’re testaments to her dedication and hard work. “Gender-specific awards are not a norm in my industry, and I see no reason to make space for that,” she states.
Hazel’s favourite cocktail: Hanky Panky, the first modern classic created by Ada Coleman. The cocktail contains gin, fernet branca, and sweet vermouth. “The balance and complexity allow them to shine while introducing a different side to those polarising ingredients,” she says.
If she could create a cocktail inspired by Singapore, what would it be? “Wow, what a loaded question!” she exclaims. If it were up to her, the drink would be similar to a Long Island Iced Tea, with gin, rum, whisky, cognac, a kaya orgeat, Ceylon tea, curry spices and gula melaka. The concoction would be served tiki-style: in a Merlion glass, topped with crushed ice.
Her recommended drinking spot in Singapore: Besides Junior, her current favourite bar is The Store along Neil Road. Everyone’s warmly welcomed and it serves great cocktails. “I’ve never left The Store without a smile and a good time.”
Fit Asri, assistant principal bartender at Jigger & Pony
Fit Asri’s bartending journey is fuelled by her deep appreciation and love for spirits as well as the craftsmanship behind each quality cocktail. However, the assistant principal bartender at Jigger & Pony says being a woman navigating a male-dominated industry can be taxing. The long hours are a prime example: she has to be at the bar most days; after clocking out, she continues researching and developing new cocktails. These responsibilities, on top of those she fulfils in her household, contribute to the physical and mental toll.
“Nevertheless, I power through with the motivation and reminder that I’m a woman, and we can also be fearless leaders,” she declares.
Even though Fit has difficulty picking the one person whom she’s inspired by (“There are too many to mention!”), she eventually settles with Sophia Kang, One-Ninety Bar’s head bartender. “She caught my attention since the start of my bartending journey, and I was really inspired by her achievements throughout the years,” she explains. Fit also gives a shout-out to Sugarhall’s principal bartender Sam Loh, who has guided her since day one.
Fit finds it heartwarming when she learns she’s inspiring others to pursue a career behind the bar. After a local polytechnic student visited Jigger & Pony and enquired about Fit’s bartending journey as part of their project, they eventually became a bartender too. She says this has motivated her to “touch more hearts and create a positive impact on others, breaking the negative perceptions of this career being too difficult for a female”.
Fit’s favourite cocktail: “(Margarita) was the first cocktail I’ve ever drank, and it unlocked my passion for the craft,” she tells us. Her go-to is Cafe Iguana’s slushie margarita – she has no problem nursing a jug alone!
If she could create a cocktail inspired by Singapore, what would it be? Taking inspiration from Singapore’s melting pot of cultures and our love of food and drinks, Fit says she’d come up with a drink called Little Dot. Her concoction will combine our national flower and tropical fruits.
Her recommended drinking spot in Singapore: Did you know there are cool watering holes in the heartlands? Fit loves dropping by O/T Bar located in Woodlands. According to her, the drinks are stellar on top of being friendlier to your wallet. “Give it a try!” she urges.
Shayla Lee, former bartender at Night Hawk (now a law student in London)
This young ingenue says she was hugely inspired by 28 HongKong Street’s head bartender Tamaryn Cooper and Barbary Coast’s general manager Ronalie Carranza, who share similar capabilities, charisma, and confidence. But her biggest source of inspiration is Trisha Leong, aka Taco, the senior bartender at Night Hawk. “She’s always willing to teach you when you need help and will never scold you if you do something wrong,” Shayla shares.
When she was first introduced to the industry, Shayla admits she didn’t think much about the impact of gender on her experience. However, she observes that male customers in Singapore tend to get comfortable (“sometimes too comfortable”) around female bartenders, especially when they’re tipsy. “Whether it’s making inappropriate jokes when I’m taking their order or slipping an arm around my waist when I’m walking past them, it’s all behaviours they’d never show to male staff,” she shares.
Shayla surmises that some male customers don’t respect women’s personal space or the professionalism of the bar, which is why she’s grateful for her male colleagues at Night Hawk, who stand in solidarity with her. While she’s learned to de-escalate situations over time, Shayla says it’s good to know that the team has her back.
One memorable experience that has stuck with Shayla is when Night Hawk encouraged her to participate in the Flor de Cana Sustainable Cocktail Challenge last year. “I felt supported throughout the journey, all thanks to the wonderful team. I gained much more confidence from the whole competition and throughout my time as a bartender.”
Say hello to these female bartenders and sip on their cocktails the next time you drop by their bars!
