Ever dreamed of opening your own bar? Simo, Chris, and Jack — the team behind Dram — are here to tell you what it really takes.

In this candid, in-depth conversation, they’ll lift the lid on the realities of ownership: from behind-the-scenes logistics and financial pressures to front-of-house challenges, staffing, and the rollercoaster of building a brand from scratch. Expect honest insights into the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

Whether you’re considering your first venture or simply curious about the mechanics of bar ownership, this session offers invaluable lessons, hard-won wisdom, and maybe a few stories you didn’t expect to hear.

Strictly for working bartenders only. The Ballot is now closed but if you would like to be considered for any last minute availability please email [email protected]

The Bartender Knowledge Exchange at London Cocktail Week is a programme designed for bartenders to learn from some of London’s most respected venues.  Offering unrivalled access pre-or-during shift - these collection of peer-to-peer learning are a chance to sharpen skills and take inspiration back to the bar. Curated by festival founders Hannah Sharman-Cox and Siobhán Payne, these sessions connect hospitality professionals directly with the people shaping the industry in London right now. Tickets are incredibly limited - some with just a handful of tickets available.