Ryan Chetiyawardana (Mr. Lyan) Breaking the Rules of Bartending

This week, Damian sits down with one of the most innovative minds in the cocktail industry, Ryan Chetiyawardana (aka Mr. Lyan). Renowned for challenging conventions and pioneering some of the world’s most groundbreaking cocktail bars, Ryan takes us on a deep dive into his journey from chef to bartender, the philosophy behind his award-winning bars, and his approach to sustainability, flavor, and creativity.

From ripping up the rulebook with White Lyan (the first cocktail bar to remove ice, citrus, and perishables) to his new Irish whiskey project, Fierfield, Ryan shares his insights on how bartenders can break boundaries and make drinks that truly connect with people.

What We Cover in This Episode

🍸 Ryan’s Journey – How he transitioned from the kitchen to the bar and what drew him to cocktails.

🔥 White Lyan & Challenging Cocktail Traditions – The radical concept behind White Lyan and why it became a game-changer.

🌍 Sustainability in Bars – Why sustainability is more than just cutting food waste and how bars can make a real impact.

🏆 Winning ‘World’s Best Bar’ (Three Times!) – What it takes to lead an award-winning bar and how the industry has evolved.

🥃 Firefield – A New Take on Irish Whiskey – How Ryan is rethinking whiskey by blending tradition with innovative infusions.

📖 Masterclass & Making Cocktails More Accessible – His experience teaching cocktail creation and making mixology easy for everyone.

🍵 Underrated & Overrated Cocktail Ingredients – Why tea is a must-have and why fresh strawberries might be overrated.

🚀 Advice for Bartenders & Hospitality Pros – Finding your unique path in the industry and embracing your passions.

Key Takeaways

✔️ The best cocktail bars challenge conventions while staying rooted in hospitality.

✔️ Sustainability is about more than just food waste—it’s about industry-wide change.

✔️ Cocktails should be fun, engaging, and made for everyone, not just the elite.

✔️ The best bartenders understand flavors, storytelling, and human connection.

Guest Links & Recommendations

🔗 Follow Ryan Chetiyawardana – @MrLyan

🔗 Explore Ryan’s Bars & Projects – Mr. Lyan Website

📖 Ryan’s Books – Good Things to Drink & Good Things to Mix

📺 Masterclass – Watch Ryan’s cocktail course alongside Lynette Marrero

🥃 Firefield Whiskey – Ryan’s latest Irish whiskey project with JJ Corry

📚 Book Recommendations: The Bartender’s Manual (Jim Meehan), Flavorama (Dr. Arielle Johnson)

#CocktailAcademy #RyanChetiyawardana #MrLyan #CocktailPodcast #Mixology #BartenderLife #SustainableCocktails #WhiskeyInnovation

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