Drinks Chat

In this episode, we sit down with Pete Firth of Froth Brewery to explore the journey behind the brand—where creativity meets craft. From brewing bold beers to building a lifestyle-driven identity, Pete shares insights, challenges, and the moments that shaped Froth’s rise across 3 venues in WA & 1 more to come. Follow us on Instagram⁠https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

In this episode of Drink Chat, we sit down with Bradley Woods, CEO of the Australian Hotels Association, to talk pubs, people, pressure points, and the future of Aussie hospitality. A candid, straight‑from‑the‑bar chat about leadership and keeping the industry strong. Bradley shares insights from the front line of Australia’s pub and hotel industry – from staffing pressures and rising costs to regulation, advocacy, and the future of the local.Follow us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

In this episode, we’re joined by Lee Behan and Niall Tolan, the co‑owners behind one of Perth’s most beloved Irish pubs — Molly’s. From their journey bringing a true Irish heartbeat to the CBD, to the stories behind the bar, the chaos, the community, and the craic that keeps the place buzzing — we dive into it all.Whether you’re a regular at Molly’s or you’ve only heard the legends, this chat serves up the laughs, the lessons, and the passion that fuels one of the city’s most newest iconic pubs.Follow us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

In this episode of Drinks Chat, we sit down with Global Brand Ambassador Nick Baxter, the quietly brilliant force behind Archie Rose’s presence in Australian Distilling. Nick shares his journey from curious spirits lover to becoming one of the most trusted voices representing Archie Rose, Australia’s most awarded distillery. We dive into what drew him to the brand in the first place, the people who shaped his path, and how working with a distillery so focused on innovation continues to push him professionally and personally.From championing Archie Rose’s boundary‑pushing whisky program to building genuine relationships across the industry, Nick talks candidly about what it means to represent a brand he truly believes in — and the pride he takes in helping grow the Australian spirits category from the ground up.Follow us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

This week on Drinks Chat, we catch up with Ross Drennan and Drew Flanagan, the visionary duo behind some of Perth’s most iconic venues, including The Old Synagogue, Stories and The Beaufort.They chat big ideas, bold builds, and what it takes to shape Perth’s hospitality scene from the ground up. Grab a drink and dive into a fast-paced convo with two of the city’s most ambitious operators.Follow us on Instagramwww.instagram.com/drinkschat

In this episode of Drinks Chat, we’re joined by Pippa Dowden and Murray Walsh, the passionate duo behind Bar Love. From building one of WA’s most loved hospitality brands to creating a venue that put people, culture, and great drinks at the centre, this is a conversation about community, creativity, and doing things differently.We dive into their journey in the bar world, the challenges of hospitality, what makes a truly great venue, and the ethos behind Bar Love’s welcoming, feel‑good approach. Whether you’re in the industry or just love a great bar experience, this chat is packed with insights, stories, and plenty of heart.Follow us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/Follow Bar Love on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/barlovebar/

On this episode of Drinks Chat, we welcome Jamie Burnett and Chris Masten, the dynamic duo behind Top Up Wines.  Top Up revolutionises Western Australian wine by running the first-ever people’s choice wine awards, giving consumers a direct voice in selecting the state’s best drops via a public vote.In our conversation, Jamie and Chris reveal:·     How Top Up empowers wine lovers to choose the Top 100 WA wines each year, with over 20,000 votes and 1,600+ entries in the inaugural run.  ·     The origins of Top Up—born from Jamie’s idea with wine veteran Scott Spalding and AFL premiership player-turned-wine-enthusiast Chris Masten.  ·     Their motivations: celebrating WA’s diverse wine styles and regions, breaking downelitism, and ensuring even non-experts have a seat at the table.  ·     Highlights from the Awards: WA’s favourite styles—Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir—and how the format celebrated all nine regions of the state.  Whether you're a seasoned wine collector or newly exploring WA wine, this episode offers an insider’s insight into disrupting a traditional industry with a refreshing, inclusive, and fun approach 🍷.Follow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

In this episode of Drinks Chat, we sit down with Ruben Storm from Liquor Barons Morley to uncover the passion behind his store and the community he’s built. From rare spirits and boutique wines to the trends shaping WA’s drinking culture, Ruben shares insider tips and stories that every drinks enthusiast will love. Whether you’re chasing something unique or just want to know what’s hot right now, this conversation is packed with local knowledge and personality.Follow us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

Andrew Dawson, the mind behind Yeah Wine — a label that’s rewriting the rules and pouring personality into every bottle.We talk hustle, heritage, and how Yeah Wine is making wine feel fresh again — no fluff, just real talk.If you love wine, stories, and a bit of rebellion in your glass, this one’s for you.Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

Neilo & Jose from Copper & Oak Liquor Merchants join us to share the story behind their award winning independent family owned liquor stores. From wine and artisanal spirits to craft beer and rare finds, they talk about building a trusted brand, curating a diverse selection, and what it takes to keep customers coming back to their stores. Follow us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

In this episode, we sit down with Katie Saldaneri, the passionate force behind Bolt Coffee, to explore what it really takes to run a thriving specialty coffee business. From early morning brews to managing a dynamic team and keeping the community caffeinated, Katie shares the behind-the-scenes of daily operations, the challenges of staying consistent, and the joy of building something meaningful—one cup at a time.Whether you're a coffee lover, a small business owner, or just curious about what fuels a local café, this conversation offers a grounded and inspiring look at the rhythm of life at Bolt.Follow us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

 In this episode, we’re joined by none other than James Gentile, Bar Director at Gibney Cottesloe and 2025’s Bartender of the Year.James shares his journey from mixing classics to redefining the cocktail experience with Gibney’s signature tableside service. We chat creativity, hospitality, and what makes a drink unforgettable.Follow us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

In this episode, we’re joined by Steve Cloughley, the man behind WA Cellars and one of Western Australia’s most trusted voices in wine and craft beer. As the Chief Product Taster and curator at WA Cellars, Steve has built a reputation for sourcing exceptional drops and championing local producers.We’ll go beyond the label to hear how Steve & his wife Marie built his business, what drives his passion for quality, and what trends he’s seeing in the WA drinks scene. Whether you're a casual sipper or a seasoned collector, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Follow us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

This week, we’re joined by none other than the unofficial mayor of Fremantle — Tim Buckton! With decades of experience as a General Manager in a variety of hotels & venues across Australia & overseas, Tim has become a pillar of the WA hospitality scene. Now co-director of W1 Hospitality, he’s channeling his expertise into building future-forward venues rooted in community, culture, and a whole lot of character. We dive into his journey from the floor to the boardroom, the secrets behind running great venues, and why Fremantle continues to be the soul of WA’s hospitality. Grab a drink and pull up a stool — this one's for the hospo heads and Freo lovers alike.Follow us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

Break the Brew Ceiling with Carrie Watson & Mel Jacobs.In an industry historically dominated by men Carrie Watson and Mel Jacobs are rewriting the script — one pint at a time. From navigating leadership to staying true to the Little Creatures legacy, this episode is all about challenging norms and pushing the boundaries of hospitality.Follow us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/ 

Simon Thai- Crafting Success from Bottle Shop to Bar. Simon isn’t just your average business owner. He runs four successful liquor stores across the city and operates Hygge Bar a cozy, up-and-coming bar that's quickly becoming a local favourite. From managing multiple storefronts to navigating the challenges of hospitality, Simon’s journey is all about hustle, smart strategy, and staying ahead in a competitive market.In this episode, we’ll unpack how he built his liquor empire, what it takes to run multiple businesses at once, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or just love a good business story, this one’s for you."Let’s get into it."Follow us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/Check out Simon's Bar https://www.instagram.com/hyggebar.perth/

The Authentic Table with Dao from Baan Baan.We are joined with Chef / Owner Operator Dao, the powerhouse behind Baan Baan Thai Restaurant — a place that’s become known not just for its bold, authentic Thai flavours, but for its heart. As both chef and owner-operator, Dao wears many hats: from crafting dishes rooted in tradition, to managing a busy kitchen & bar, to running the day-to-day of a growing business.In this episode, Dao shares what it takes to stay true to your culinary roots while navigating the realities of business ownership. We talk about the challenges of being both in the kitchen and at the helm, what authenticity really means in today’s food scene, and how Dao built something that’s as much about community as it is about cuisine.Follow us on Drinks Chathttps://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/Check out Baan Baanhttps://baanbaanperth.com.au/

Micro Tarducci - Wine Service with StyleWhat a great chat talking about Mirco's Journey in Hospitality & how we got the passion for wine & strived for excellence in the wine arena. Mirco has had some great experiences all over the world in hospitality & he shares many of these in this interview. Follow us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/Go see Mirco for a drink at https://www.theheritageperth.com.au/

Bringing People Together with Music & Beers with Frazer Devine. Another great episode of a Hospitality Journeyman from the UK who has found a home in Perth, Australia after many successful years all over the world. Frazer takes us through his hospitality experiences & how he was combined that by being a successful DJ & promoter. Follow us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drinkschat

Beers, Venues & Brewing with Damo & Jade from Bailey Brewing Co. We jump on the microphone with Damo & Jade; two of the pivotal team members for the Bailey Brewing Company from the Swan Valley, to discuss the growth & success of the brand. A great insight into how passion & building something that is embraced by the public is what Bailey Brewing Co. is all about.Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

Family Wine Legacy with James Talijancich. We are on location in the Swan Valley for an amazing chat on the legacy of Talijancich Wines spanning through 3 family generations starting in 1932. James goes through his learnings & how he relates a lot of his a lot of his wine making decisions to playing basketball.Follow us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

Craft Beer Ethos & Education with Joel Beresford. Very Informative Chat on Joel's journey to get the Perth Public to embrace craft beer from humble beginnings to great heights of running the best craft beer venue in Australia.This Episode is Part 3 of 3 Episodes taking time with the 3 owners from Fallow Liquor & Eatery.Follow Us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

Building Venues & Setting Trends with Daniel Sterpini. Insightful chat on how Daniel Sterpini started a career as a chef, then has navigated his journey to designing & building hospitality venues & create some of Perth's interesting Hospitality concepts. This Episode is Part 2 of 3 Episodes taking time with 3 owners from Fallow Liquor & Eatery.Follow us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

People, Place & Produce with Stuart Laws . Stuart Laws Chef, Owner Operator & TV personality talks about his career & how fresh & quality produce is paramount to amazing cooking.This episode is Part 1 of 3 Episodes taking time with 3 owners from Fallow Liquor & Eatery.Follow us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

Insightful conversation with Hospo Lifer Dane Oddy. Dane has endured a life in hospitality working alongside his family & learning the ropes in various roles & multiple venues. After many years in the game Dane now leads from the front with a unique perspective on management & leadership. Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

We are back for 2025!! We dive in the world of Pisco with Miguel Bellido of Lima Cantina in Leederville, Perth. Miguel shares his passion for Pisco & how he has carved a niche in the market educating the masses on this fascinating spirit at his venue Lima Cantina. Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

Adam & Emma wrap up the year the was 2024 in Drinks. Jump on for a listen as the team goes through the drinking trends of 2024 across all categories, touch base on some cool openings of 2024 & overall talk about the industry. Thanks for your listening & all your support in 2024, now onto 2025. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

We jump on with Ryan Gregory; owner operator from Andaluz Bar & Tapas in Perth. Ryan goes through his story on how he step up one of the first tapas bars in Perth with his wife Carla. Anyone looking to open a bar should listen to this one to hear some great insights from Ryan. Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

We chat to Kim Tyrer from Galafrey Wines this week. Kim shares the journey of Galafrey Wines from Mount Barker in Western Australia. A very personal & informative chat on how to manage & operate a family owned wine business. Follow us on Instragram https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

We welcome Nick Tesar from Four Pillars to chat about his journey in hospitality. Nick shares some great tips on competition bartending & how to carve a career in different positions in the hospitality game. Follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat

We catch up with Guy Southern who chats about his interesting journey into the Drinks industry by way of writing articles on craft beer. After many years writing craft beer articles, Guy has now enriched himself firmly the the WA Beer scene being an integral advocate in this space. Great listen here guys!! Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

We jump on with David ' Xander' Stucken from Cocktail bar Terrarium in Perth. We dive into his career journey & how he has created a number of successful cocktail competitions & events to enhance the younger generation of hospitality. Check out Terrrarium here: https://www.terrariumperth.com/ Follow us via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

We Jump on with the Drinks Encyclopedia; Brendan Scott Grey of Bar Love in Perth. Brendan chats through his Hospitality career journey. He shares some great insights into mentoring young bartenders & creating interesting programs and events for the bar industry in Australia. Follow us via Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

In this series we chat to some amazing Wine people of the Perth Hospitality scene. What is like to be a Sommelier & learn insights from each different guest on the show. This week we chat to Iesha Poor from Mayfair Lane Pub & Dining Room Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

In this series we chat to some amazing Wine people of the Perth Hospitality scene. What is like to be a Sommelier & learn insights from each different guest on the show. This week we chat to Alex King from The Shorehouse. Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

In this series we chat to some amazing Wine People of the Perth Hospitality Scene. What is it like to be a Sommelier & learn insights from each different guest on the show. This week we talk to Sophie Johnston from State Buildings Perth. Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

Emma Farrelly has produced award wining wine lists across many venues in Perth. As Director of Wine at State Buildings, Emma is responsible for the wine programs for each outlet. Along with a strong presence in the wine judging scene, and all of this while being a mum of 2 boys! This is a chat with an absolute rockstar who is at the top of her game her in the Wine Scene in Perth. Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

Internationally renowned Wine Expert Foni Pollitt talks about how she came to be business owner of Mayfair Lane, her love of learning, teaching and how she passes her time when not engrossed in the world of wine. Follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

EPISODE 19: Dyllan Balm Next Generation Bartender Series: We chat to up & coming Drinks Professionals about life in the Drinks & Hospitality Industry in 2024. This week we chat to Dyllan Balm from Foxtrot Unicorn, Perth. Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

EPISODE 18: Ruth Chapman Next Generation Bartender Series: We chat to up & coming Drinks Professionals about life in the Drinks & Hospitality Industry in 2024. This week we chat to Ruth Chapman from Lums Wine Bar, Subiaco. Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

Next Generation Bartender Series. In this series we chat to up & coming Drinks Professionals in our about life in the Drinks & Hospitality Industry. This week we talk to Jac Landmark from Frisk Small Bar, Perth. Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

Next Generation Bartender Series. In this series we chat to up & coming Drinks Professionals in our about life in the Drinks & Hospitality Industry. This week we talk to Ana Mitchell from 18th Amendment from Geelong, Victoria. Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

The Cocktail King of Geelong- Gorge Camorra joins us to share his wisdom on venue creation, cocktail competitions, the importance of mentorship & wellness in such a demanding career. He owns & operates successful bars such as 18th Amendment, Manhattan Bar & Non Disclosure Bar in Geelong, Victoria. Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

Patrick Torres joins us from Old Young's Distillery from the Swan Valley to discuss his career & life at Old Young's. There is also a fun debate on the Tommy's Margarita Specs which may take on a further challenge in the future with Patty & Adam. Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drinkschat/

What an absolute pleasure and privilege to have Paul (Higgo) & Jo Higgins on the show! These two true Hospo legends took the time out of running their city centre venue The Shoe Bar to share their journey through hospitality here in Perth. We discuss their engrained family values with their staff & strong loyal customer base which is an absolute testament to their continuing success!

We welcome Nick & Trudy Stacy the owners of Clandestine Vineyards & Breakfree Wines. This power couple backed by decades of industry experience and time-earned wisdom share their story on all things work, life & their keys to building a successful wine company. https://clandestinevineyards.com.au/

Hospo Veterans Andy McIntyre & Mitch Keane known to most as Macca & Rummy chat about their journey of Hospo Life, Bottling & Kegging Cocktails for their business Idle Hands. These legends are paving a way for fresh cocktails straight to venues on tap & straight to your home fridge in bottled versions.

Jimmy McKeown Co-Founder, Master distiller of Whipper Snapper Distillery shares his story of how two guys from country WA with big dreams and bounds of passion are now celebrating 10 years of owning their own distillery here in Perth. Not to mention a little accolade of making a world winning whiskey! Not bad for 2 little whippersnappers! https://whippersnapperdistillery.com/

Drinks Education with Dhiva Thangathurai Republic of Freo Educator Dhiva takes us through how she transitioned from a gin enthusiast to a Spirits Educator. With a background in PR & Journalism, Dhiva uses her skills to enhance customer experiences through learning & story telling.

Shining a light on such an important topic, the incredibly passionate Darielle has identified how critical it is for mental health to be part of the workplace conversation in our industry. Such an insightful chat and some helpful tips for people or businesses to help better support our wonderful community! https://www.thewanderlustage.com/