In the last two decades or so, the line that was drawn between careers for men and women has been fading rapidly. It is great to see women embracing careers that we could only have dreamed of in the past, exceling in them and making adequate living out of them.
In this interview, we speak to Morine Mahadi, an alumnus of the Diageo Bar Academy who has carved a niche for herself as a bartender and mixologist. Here is her story.
Please give us a brief introduction of yourself. Your name and what you do.
My name is Morine Mahadi, I am a bar lady/mixologist at Tribe Hotel. I’ve been doing this for 5 years now, (since 2019). Other than making drinks, I make sure the bar is well stocked, I interact with guests and in general just ensuring people have a good time when it comes to their drink experiences.
What does it take to be in your line of work in terms of studies, passion, special interests, and work ethic?
You have to learn and understand whatever you are working with beverage-wise. I went to Nairobi Bar School to acquire knowledge about drinks. The other stuff you learn on the ground, like being at the bar and interacting with guests. Also, you can’t be boring. You have to bring your best everyday. Be yourself, have positive energy and good vibes to match the different personalities you meet and interact with. I keep an open mind all the time to accommodate the different people I meet in my work.
At first it’s very exciting being around so much alcohol because you’ve probably never experienced it before. But the longer you train, and work with the products, the novelty and excitement wears off and you treat it with professionalism. I respect alcohol because it gets me paid, and that keeps my grounded. When you are a bartender as a career and not just to party, there’s a discipline that naturally comes with it. We don’t drink on the job but just like chefs, we have to taste what we make before serving.
What do you like most about your work?
One of the perks is getting to meet and interact with so many different people. When I started out I was the only lady in most bars I worked at. They teasingly called me the garnish of the bar. Being in such a male dominated space means I stood out and I found it a good challenge to step up to. I am passionate about bartending, I get to do what I love everyday. I love interacting with people and seeing them have a good time. You make tips, you meet people amazing people, some who open doors for you just from making them a drink.
Is bartending your full-time work or something you do part time?
I am a full time bartender. I have been since I got into the industry. My heart is here. If I was to do anything on the side, it would still be in the same line of work.
Do you intend to further your studies and bartending career?
Definitely. I am looking forward to going back to school to learn flair bartending. I want to be a flair lady bartender, I’ve not seen many and I want to be one of the few.
Was your family receptive of your choice of career?
I started off with a hospitality course. When I gained an interest in mixology and bartending it was difficult telling my parents I was going to be handling alcohol. I had to ease them into it but over time they have seen content of me behind the bar doing my thing and they’re okay.
What did you learn with Diageo Bar Academy and how has that impacted your career in bartending?
I learnt about Diageo Bar Academy earlier on in my career from my colleagues and trainings held at my workplace. I have learnt so much more there because it’s an online platform and with this digital age it’s easier to get information online. I enrolled in it because when it comes to bartending there are not a lot of physical books you can find to get information from. DBA is equivalent to having a book. You can learn anything and catch up on industry trends and news. It’s been a great learning platform for me. Anything I need and want to know is already there, I just have to find it. It’s a great resource not just for bartenders but anyone in the bar industry.
Having knowledge and being associated with DBA is a great opportunity. When you’re with DBA they [industry] already can trust you. You have the knowledge and the skills and an understanding of what is required for the job. If you’re invested in building a career and growing in the industry it’s a great association to have.
How do you keep up with rapidly changing trends in bartending and especially cocktail making?
There’s so much information online. Everyday there are updates of new things. I have so many pages that I follow of other bartenders and people in the industry. You pick something from each person and from all the different things you are able to figure out what to incorporate in your work.
Other than online, we get trainings at my workplace, masterclasses from industry experts and people from different markets coming to exchange and share knowledge. You have to be constantly curious and open to learning and keeping up with what’s happening in the industry.
What is your favourite cocktail to make and why?
Classic gin and tonic. I am gin girl currently, I love working with gin and tonics and you can never go wrong with that pairing. My other favourite cocktail to make is a negroni because it is a pretty straight forward drink to make but it can also go terribly wrong, it is a simple drink that requires a lot of skill and attention.
What challenges do you encounter in your work?
Meeting or working with bartenders who are not likeminded or motivated to do better. Some bartenders are not in it as a career or long term, they are here to try something different and fun. Just for vibes. It’s disappointing because when you are as passionate about bartending as I am, you’d like to meet people who are likeminded and invested in learning and challenging themselves and putting in their best work everyday.
In your opinion, how is the reception of female bartenders in society?
In most cases I am often the only lady at the bar. You meet guests who challenge you. You get challenged a lot and put on the spotlight which is why you need to know your stuff. It grows you and builds your confidence.
The advantage I have over my male counterparts is I have a keener sense of detail. I notice the smaller details my colleagues wouldn’t. And as a female I am naturally better at multitasking and juggling the demands of being behind the bar which involves making drinks, talking to guests, taking drink orders, cashing bills etc. all at the same time.
What would you advise young girls who would like to pursue a career in bartending but are not confident enough? Or they’re afraid of family and society?
If you want to pursue bartending as a career, you have to be sure you are going to like it even ten years from now. It’s going to be amazing, but you have to stand out and do things differently. It’s not just about making drinks. You can choose a different niche for yourself. Come out here open minded, ready to do things differently and challenge the industry.