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