Here’s the speakers at the Boothby talks at Maybe Cocktail Festival

The juggernaut of international bar talent that is the Maybe Cocktail Festival kicks off tomorrow — and we’re hosting a day of talks at El Vista on Wednesday, from 11am to 3pm.

I can’t wait. We’ve got some of the biggest names in the bar world opening up for live, on stage interviews, and we’ll unpack what makes their bars work, the mistakes to avoid, and give you the knowledge to be a better bartender, bar owner, and brand-builder.

The best part? It’s free to attend — arrive at El Vista at 11am on Wednesday 15 April, grab a drink, and get inspired.

It’s going to be a jam-packed, interesting and entertaining four hours — take a look at the sessions in store below, and check out the full Maybe Cocktail Festival timetable here.

How Handshake Speakeasy works. Eric Van Beek & Rodrigo Iriarte (Mexico City) interviewed by Sam Bygrave.
Handshake Speakeasy landed at number one on The World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2024, having been a fixture on the list since 2021. We’ll unpack the reasons behind its success, how they continue to operate at a world’s best level while meeting huge guest demand, and more.
What’s behind Sip & Guzzle’s success? Steve Schneider (Sip & Guzzle, New York) interviewed by Sam Bygrave.
The charismatic Steve Schneider returns to Australia repping his New York bar, Sip & Guzzle. The bar, which Steve owns with the acclaimed Shingo Gokan, has been busy since day one, landed on The World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2025, and has been named the best burger in America. So how do they operate day to day? What makes the bar tick? What lessons has Steve picked up the last few years? We’ll get all that and more.
The bar business, now and beyond — advice from five continents.
Join bartenders and owners from Sin & Tax (South Africa), Atlas (Singapore), Bar Madonna (New York), Kaito (Mexico City), Wax On (Berlin), and Dre Walters (Sydney), hosted by Sam Bygrave, and hear what the successful bar of the future will look like.
How two bartenders make content that travels the globe. Sketchy Bartender creators Sam Boevey and Tom Chandler interviewed by Sam Bygrave.
With millions of views on social platforms, what have the guys behind the Sketchy Bartender series learned about communicating drinks to the world?
(Bar)life lessons in 20 minutes with Philip Duff (Old Duff, The Philip Duff Show) interviewed by Sam Bygrave.
Philip Duff is one of the bar and spirts world’s foremost experts and educators ; he’s been a bar owner, consultant, writer, drinks brand founder, Tales of the Cocktail’s first director of education, and now a podcaster. He’s not shy of an opinion, so strap in — we’ll talk about the New York scene, where consumers are at around the world, and how to think about brand building whether it’s for a bar or booze.
How to make a bar that lasts with Josh Harris (Trick Dog, San Francisco) interviewed by Sam Bygrave.
Josh Harris from San Francisco bar, Trick Dog (the best cocktail bar in America in 2025), discusses their novel approach to menu concept and design, their latest menu, and the keys to longevity — whether that’s for their bar (which is now 13 years old), or for oneself.
The All Star All Hands Hot Seat Inquisition!
Step aboard the lukewarm take machine. We’ve gathered as many international and local stars as we can for this rapid fire, anyone can answer, question and answer session. How dirty is too dirty for a Martini? Which drinks ore you? Which bar scene is best? Send us your questions and we’ll the get the answers — email them to hotseat@boothby.com.au ASAP.