- Name: Fay Barretto
- Instagram: @mrbartenderandthecrew
- Industry Experience: 19 years
- Favourite Drink: Godfather and Martini, the Martini tradition is her favourite
- Favourite Non-Alcoholic Drink: Coca-Cola
When a friend asked Fay Barretto, back in Fay’s college days, what the five things are Fay really likes, little did Fay know it would spark a journey filled with adventure, curiosity and learning. The first on Fay’s list? Alcohol, of course. Even though Fay’s closest friends wondered why someone would choose to be a bartender, Fay walked the path of mixing drinks, curating sumptuous cocktails and creating flavorful brews.
Now, 19 years in the industry, Fay finds herself as a skilled bartender and a consultant at Mr. Bartender and the Crew. When Fay’s not busy stirring lip-smacking beverages, Fay runs training and development programs for the staff at various bars.
After traveling the world and being exposed to new ideas and culture, Fay felt there was a dearth of a safe space for people who were different, who didn’t fit the norm, in India. Bartending was still a very male-dominated profession. Fay wanted to create a space for all kinds of people whether feminine, queer or part of the LGBTQ community.
This gave birth to Mr. Bartender and the Crew – where any person, no matter what they identify as, can train and work in the bartending industry.
Regarding inclusivity, Fay said, “We have grown a lot in terms of acceptance. And I can feel it like, you know, I feel it today.” However, Fay feels we can still improve in terms of respecting people’s boundaries and strive to treat each other equally. Fay elucidates, “I feel if people understood that, hey, if this pretty girl is not actually a girl and wants to be called a certain thing, if men could appreciate and respect that, that would be a game changer for us in society.”
Besides training and development, Fay inculcates an atmosphere of mindfulness, professionalism and sensitizing employees to respecting the preferences of their peers and customers in Fay’s programs.
Besides inclusivity, Fay is constantly innovating. Fay’s creativity shines at Scarlet House, a delightful cocktail bar that serves an eclectic and emotive mix of beverages with the charm of an old Catholic house in Bandra.
Fay closes her interview with an emphasis on bars being more inclusive and toning down the importance of pseudo-masculine energy. Fay’s famous last words? To hire bartenders that are more focused on being better human beings than being the best bartenders. This, Fay explains, would create a safer space for people to work in.
– Written by Nemisha Sharma
