Drew Fleming put the Isle of Man on the global cocktail stage when was named the winner of the inaugural 50 Best Bars Scholarship as part of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022. Two years after his momentous achievement, 50 Best catches up with him to reflect on his remarkable journey
Since winning the very first 50 Best Bars Scholarship, Drew Fleming hasn’t wasted a single second of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity the programme affords its recipient.
After getting a taste of the international bar scene via a duo of stages (internships) at Katana Kitten in New York (No.27 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023) and Connaught Bar (No.5 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023) many, including Fleming himself, suspected he would trade his quiet life of the Isle of Man for one of the world’s cocktail capitals.
But Fleming defied all expectations, returning to and remain on the Isle of Man. In his eyes, his mission to revolutionise the island’s hospitality sector from the ground up remained unfinished. Taking everything he learned over the course of the scholarship, Fleming has since shared his newfound wisdom with his compatriots. His impact can already be seen in the bar he co-owns, Kiki Lounge, which was shortlisted for the Bar Employer of the Year accolade within the Class Bar Awards 2024.
Drew Fleming was just 21 years old when he was named the recipient of the inaugural scholarship
Ahead of the 50 Best Bars Roku Scholarship 2024 opening for applications on Thursday, 6th June, read on to find out how Fleming used his well-earned experience to make his mark on mixology.
It’s been almost two years since you collected your trophy for the 50 Best Bars Scholarship. How did you feel when you name was announced?
“It was absolutely crazy. I was grateful to have just made it to Barcelona as a finalist and soak up the atmosphere of the event, so to walk away as the winner of the scholarship was an indescribable feeling.”
Your prize for winning the scholarship was the opportunity to work at Connaught Bar and Katana Kitten. How valuable were these experiences?
“Having only lived and worked on the Isle of Man prior to the scholarship, it was hugely beneficial. The chance to be completely immersed in two exceptional bars in new countries was the impetus I needed to continue to grow and learn without having to take the leap away from the Isle of Man full-time. It reinvigorated me and strengthened my belief that hospitality is my calling.”
Is it true that Connaught Bar offered you a job after you worked there?
Fleming turned down a job offer from Connaught Bar's legendary director of mixology, Ago Perrone
“During my last week with the Connaught Bar team, I was actually offered a job, which I genuinely thought was a joke to begin with (I don’t have the Italian accent for the bar for one!) It was, however, a sincere offer and one I seriously considered, but my heart was set on staying on the Isle of Man. I care deeply about my home and feel a real sense of duty to buck the trend of moving elsewhere to seek opportunities in hospitality – it’s time to start creating our own here on the island.”
What was the most memorable lesson you learned from the experience?
“Being able to learn from and shadow two heavyweights in global hospitality was pivotal in shaping my values and philosophy as a young bartender. A huge takeaway from the experience was working in two establishments that couldn’t be more different in approach, yet the feeling they leave guests with is identical. It taught me that great hospitality is the quintessential ingredient to a great bar, regardless of drinks programme or venue concept.”
Are there any learnings you’ve applied to your bar?
“There was an endless list of tweaks and refinements I picked up from my time in London and New York. A couple of notable elements that we’ve been able to implement at Kiki Lounge have been a welcome drink, which I learned from Connaught Bar, and the use of silent signals to communicate as a front of house unit without speaking. These have allowed us to exceed guests’ expectations from the first interaction and set the tone in our local market, which has perhaps lacked refinement in the past.”
How important is it to have schemes like this scholarship for young aspiring bartenders?
“The most important thing to do when getting into hospitality is to taste and to experience as much as you can. Taking inspiration from destinations, dishes and drinks and making them your own is the essence of good hospitality. To have a scheme like the 50 Best Bars Scholarship available where you can dive headfirst into staging at some of The World’s 50 Best Bars with world-leading mentorship and guidance – that is genuinely priceless.”
You’ve just finished touring the UK, with a few more dates still in the calendar. How has that been for you?
Kiki Lounge has been on tour, bringing its tropical taste of the Isle of Man to the UK mainland
“It’s been incredible to work alongside and learn from some of the UK’s best bars. The tour is part of our long-term strategy to grow the island’s hospitality sector and increase awareness that cocktail culture does exist outside of the big cities. The scene here is still very much in its infancy, but we want to prove to local talent that bartending is a viable career path right on their doorstep.”
What does the future hold for you and the bar?
“A big programme for us this year is centred around TT (the annual motorcycle road race that doubles the island’s population for two weeks) where we’re bringing Himkok (No.10 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023) to our shores to give them a taste of Manx life. Likewise they’ll be able to bring global attention to what we are doing here. Beyond that, we’ve been fantasising about opening a proper old school pub with a twist, but that’s one for the future.”
Did the scholarship help you prepare for this?
“One hundred percent! So much has happened since winning the scholarship, which includes becoming a co-owner of Kiki Lounge, and this experience definitely prepared me for that. In terms of quality, it raised the bar tenfold both inside and outside the glass for me and my team.”
Where can we catch you next?
“On Wednesday, 10th July, Kiki will be heading to the Seed Library in London for a guest shift. We also have more takeovers planned later in the year across the country at Couch in Birmingham, Project Halcyon in Manchester, Coupette in London and many more.”
Finally, if you had to give one piece of advice to future applicants, what would it be?
“Be authentic and make your personality shine. It’s often said that people visit bartenders, not bars; and this sentiment can be carried through to so many aspects of life. It’s definitely no different with the scholarship. Passion is infectious and you’ve got to show that in your application, but it has to be genuine. Reflect on why you’re charmed by a career in hospitality and distil that into your application.”
Want to experience this for yourself? Applications for the 50 Best Bars Roku Scholarship will open on 6th June 2024 for bartenders across the globe over the age of 21 with under five full years’ experience in the hospitality sector. Click here to pre-register your interest in the scholarship.
The 16th edition of The World’s 50 Best Bars list, sponsored by Perrier, will be announced on Tuesday 22nd October 2024. To be the first to hear about the latest news and announcements, browse the website, follow us on Instagram, find us on Facebook, visit us on X and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
