Let’s start at the beginning, who are ya and what do you do in the drinks biz? 

Hey everyone! My name is Anna Sebastian and I am currently working as a hospitality consultant for bars, restaurants, hotels and brands. I took the risk earlier this year to quit my job and give it a go working for myself and since then it’s been a bit of a whirlwind. Even in this short time I’ve seen working for yourself is totally different, so much more freedom but also a lot more responsibility to make sure you are generating business to you can pay yourself but it was the best thing that I could have done. 

Tell us about your booze biz journey – where/when did you first get into the world of drinks?

Like a lot of people, it just happened, I had a military career ahead of me with Sandhurst and the Artillery but when unfortunately due to an illness I was medically discharged. I found myself working in nightclubs in Mayfair and the West End as well as working in Public Relations in the day time which was where I really started to get an insight into bars and restaurants. In 2010 I joined The Savoy which was so pivotal in my career, it really changed everything for me and introduced me to the diverse world of hospitality and the opportunities that come with. I was there for 7 years starting as a host and leaving as manager. 2017 I joined the Langham to reposition the Artesian Bar and over the 4 years I was there I looked after the beverage programme for the hotel. That move allowed me such a different insight into things and allowed me to grow as a person. It was where I also set up Celebrate Her late 2019 which started off as just a one-off event and is now in the process of being set up as a charity.

What’s the best thing about your job?

The freedom that comes with working for yourself to start with but also the people I meet on a daily basis that make the industry what it is from new talent to the leaders that continue to be an inspiration.

Tell us something about the drinks world we might not know.

We’re often held back so much by tradition or the opinion of the dead we don’t realise how many opportunities we are missing out on. The drinks world now is less about the drinks but more about the people and making a difference and impact on our community.

What is your favourite cocktail and who makes it the best?

My go-to drink is either a Vodka, super dry martini with no garnish, usually drank with Gabi Sasnauskaite who is now killing it at LX PR, or a negroni. I love Eve Bar by Adam Handling and, of course, The Savoy for martinis and champagne

You can teleport to any bar in the world, what bar are you hitting up, what are you ordering and who do you hope is there when you arrive?

Right now I’d love to go see Holly Graham who is based in Hong Kong and see her with Gabi – it literally wouldn’t matter what bar as long as there is champagne and a cool vibe but if we are in Hong Kong and there was no curfew then We are Pontiac would be amazing. Otherwise would be amazing to go and see Martin Hudak at Maybe Sammy.

Can you remember the first drink you ever legally ordered in a bar? Would you still order it now?

I’m pretty sure it was a mojito if it was a cocktail – I was really into those when I was 18, but in reality, It was probably a vodka cranberry in a Wetherspoons in South London. 

You’re stranded on a deserted island but there’s a lifetime supply of one bottle there to keep you company – what is it?

Hard question….apart from water but I’d probably go for Rosé wine – anything by Mirabeau. Wine is timeless and Rosé on a desert island is perfect.

What is your hangover cure?

Generally, I try and avoid them as much as I can. But otherwise Ice cold sparkling water, diet coke, green juice and some sort of food to restore me back to life!

Type

Booze hounds