This week I sit down with Leah Dunnigan, Bar Manager at Savile Row in Brisbane; a bar that’s equal parts thousand-bottle whisky temple, high-volume cocktail machine, and late-night dance party. Leah’s story is wild: from anxious uni student with a stutter to Baxter Inn head bartender, Bar Planet AVM, and now the woman steering one of Australia’s most-loved bars... all while being a mum and a recent Bartender of the Year winner.

We talk about the real stuff: night shifts with a toddler, what supportive employers actually look like, the pressure to perform, burnout, sobriety resets, and why “silly” cocktails absolutely have a place on serious menus. It’s honest, energising, and very Leah.

• 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

  00:47 Leah's Journey into Hospitality

  02:21 Transition to High-End Bartending

  06:13 Balancing Motherhood and Career

  08:23 Challenges and Support in Hospitality

  15:51 Future Aspirations and Industry Challenges

  21:53 The Excitement of Hospitality

  22:38 Creative Drink Innovations

  26:51 Memorable Bar Experiences

  29:48 Handling Burnout in Hospitality

  31:36 Quickfire Questions and Fun Stories

  39:10 Leaving a Legacy in Hospitality

• This episode includes discussion of mental health, burnout, abusive dynamics, and sexual assault within the hospitality industry.

  • Find Leah at Savile Row, Brisbane

  • Keep an eye out for Leah’s upcoming conversation series

  • Follow Overproof and hit ★★★★★ on Spotify/Apple

  • Share the episode with a friend in hospo who needs permission to set a boundary

  Host: Sarah Dawn Mitchell — Overproof
  Guest: Leah Dunnigan — Bar Manager, Savile Row (Brisbane)
  

  Here’s to slowing down and still having fun behind the bar.

Join Johnny G and myself as we discuss what Club Suntory is doing for the community, educations and diversity.Then listen up! We are talking all things NZ Bar Con, Suntory has gone all in this year with 4 events!Sign up to the events atnzbarcon.comand sign up to Club Suntory atClub.suntory.com

What a line up for the final Maybe Cocktail Festival Round Table!

In this episode of 'OverProof,' I sit down with

• Giacomo Gianotti, founder of Paradiso Bar - currently rated Worlds #1 Bar in The Worlds 50 Best
• Giorgio Bargiani, Assistant Director of Mixology at The Connaught in London
• Simone Caporale, founder of Sips & Boadas, Flavour Blaster, Canaima Gin, The Art of Shaking, Amaro Santoni
• Stefano Catino, Founder of The Maybe Group & Maybe Cocktail Festival.

We sit down to share their personal highs, lows, and wildest experiences in hospitality. From career milestones like being named the world's best bar to the challenging moments of managing staff and maintaining excellence, these industry icons delve into what it takes to stay at the top.

They also discuss their unique approaches to cocktail creation, how they inspire and motivate their teams, and the importance of finding joy in daily interactions.

This is one of my favourite interviews so far - just packed with insights into the lives of those who do hospitality best. I cannot wait for you guys to listen!

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming the Guests

00:24 Meet the Panel: Bartenders' Backgrounds

02:14 Highs in the Hospitality Industry

08:57 Lows in the Hospitality Industry

17:32 Wild Stories: The Buffalo Moments

28:31 Pride in Ownership and Unique Cocktail Concepts

30:58 A Day in the Life of Simon Caporale

32:33 Living Unconventionally for Focus

34:59 Balancing Work and Personal Life

37:09 The Importance of Hard Work and Consistency

39:08 Innovative Cocktail Presentations and Inspirations

42:31 Working with Family and Team Dynamics

44:55 Finding Joy in Repetition and Excellence

50:38 Staff Motivation and Leadership

53:02 Quickfire Questions and Wrap-Up