The Drinkery

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Owners, Günter Boisits and Aidan Mautschke, sit down with Bar Magazine to tell us more about their contemporary and speakeasy cocktail bar, which has been acclaimed as one of the ‘50 Best’.

Tell Us About The Drinkery

Over the past three years, my business partner and I seized the opportunity to acquire a mixed-use space and meticulously transformed it into the remarkable bar it is today. Throughout the renovation process, we took great care to preserve the natural beauty of this 250-year-old National Monument that now houses our establishment. Our focus then shifted to developing a bar programme that perfectly suits the space, which tailored the path to where we are now.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAVE BEEN THE KEY ELEMENTS TO YOUR SUCCESS?

Both of us are actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the business. We have taken great care in selecting our staff, ensuring that they embody the values and essence of our brand. The challenges posed by the Covid-19 lockdown compelled us to be highly attentive to the running of our business, as our industry faced immense pressure and many of our colleagues unfortunately lost their establishments.

WHAT ARE YOUR SHORT AND LONG-TERM GOALS?

Our short-term goal is to establish ourselves as one of the leading cocktail bars in South Africa and strive towards further global recognition. After being mentioned in the ‘50 Best Discovery’ list in 2022, and receiving a second Top 10 Regional Honouree award in 2023 – Top 10 Best International Cocktail

Bar Middle East and Africa by Tales of the Cocktail – we have set our sights on a longterm goal of being recognised among the top 100 bars in the world. Looking ahead, our long-term aspiration is to continue evolving and eventually compete with the best.

HOW DO YOU STAY CURRENT AND UP-TO-DATE WITH TRENDS IN AN EVER-CHANGING INDUSTRY?

Being located on the southern tip of Africa does present certain challenges in terms of the likelihood of international travel, unlike our counterparts mostly in the Northern Hemisphere. However, we have overcome this obstacle by dedicating countless hours to researching international trends through the ever-present resources of social media. Additionally, we have initiated a programme to invite international bartenders for guest shifts, allowing us to bring global influences to our bar and vice versa. After recently being hosted at Employees Only SG for a guest shift, we are ready to do a lot more traveling with the bar in the future.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO AN UP AND COMING BAR/ RESTAURANT?

It is important not to believe that a substantial amount of start-up capital is necessary. Instead, focus on researching the style of service you wish to provide, and be prepared to invest a minimum of 80 hours per week of hard work. Avoid getting caught up in the hype of the industry, where artificial status can create a false sense of success without having solid business fundamentals in place.

WHAT TRENDS DO YOU SEE ARRIVING IN THE UK INDUSTRY?

Based on previous experience hosting Nightjar for a guest shift, and our observations of bars we actively follow, we’ve noticed a prevalent trend of offering an extensive selection of cocktails that are often pre-batched, and largely prepared in advance. This approach helps streamline the cocktail service, ensuring both speed and consistency across each drink. It’s worth noting the significant labour, technique and knowledge that goes into creating these pre-batched drinks before the final serve.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE UK BAR OPERATORS?

When establishing your bar, it’s crucial to select a theme and remain committed to it. Avoid compromising on your vision and pay careful attention to the staff you hire, as they serve as daily ambassadors for your brand. Their dedication and alignment with your bar’s theme will contribute to a cohesive and authentic experience for your customers.

IF YOU WERE TO OPEN A BAR IN THE UK SCENE, WHAT ASPECTS OF YOUR VENUE WOULD YOU BRING?

Throughout our three years of operation, there’s one aspect we hold in the utmost importance —maintaining an inclusive atmosphere without pretence within our space. It’s truly gratifying to witness people of all backgrounds having an absolute blast effortlessly. Other factors, such as the choice of music, the layout, or the overall ambiance, are subjective and should be tailored to suit the specific characteristics of your venue.

Instagram: @thedrinkeryza