Iain Griffiths has been involved in the hospitality industry for over ten years with an extensive knowledge of all aspects of the business from his experience in his native Australia where he not only oversaw the opening of several bars and clubs, but also the creative aspect of the cocktail world having worked at both Black Pearl in Melbourne and Eau de Vie in Sydney.
Once departing for the UK, Iain spent a year running Bramble Edinburgh where it achieved No. 10 in Worlds 50 Best Bars, he was crowned Global winner of the Caorunn “Storytellers Cocktail Competition” and he had a chance meeting with future collaborator Ryan Chetiyawardana aka Mr Lyan.
Once moving to London, the pair saw a string of success, moving the Mr Lyan brand into a position as industry leaders in innovation, first with the opening of White Lyan and then on to Dandelyan and many other projects, pop ups and launches.
They were awarded co ‘Innovator of the Year’ at the Imbibe Awards 2014 whilst later in that same year, White Lyan was also crowned ‘Best New International Cocktail Bar’ at the Spirited Awards and then number 20 in “World’s 50 Best Bars”. From there Dandelyan opened to much acclaim, winning the same award for 2015 at the Spirited Awards, in 2016 moving 47 places to No. 3 in the world and having their menu take the title of “World’s Best Cocktail Menu” and in 2017 taking the Spirited Awards “Best Bar in the World” alongside two other awards as well as hitting No. 2 in World’s 50 Best Bars.
In 2016, Iain took his cocktail for Bacardi Legacy, the Carta Switchel, all the way to Global Finals, reaching the top 8. He then also launched Trash Tiki with partner Kelsey Ramage, an online platform and touring pop up.
Trash Tiki has helped create an accessible and no nonsense approach to the growing issue of food waste and sustainability in the food and drink world. In 2017, the pop up visited over 30 cities as part of their World Tour, running workshops for bartenders in every city as well to help everyone think a little more how they can “#drinklikeyougiveafuck” as the pair say. Iain also won the first ever “Bartender’s Bartender” at the World’s 50 Best Bars in 2017
Iain has had the opportunity to present around the world, from Bar Convent Berlin & Tales of the Cocktail, to FutureFest & SxSW. His focus continues to be sustainability for bartenders in every aspect, as well as closely working with the flavour industry and some of the world’s top chefs.
Find him: Instagram