Legends
Bio authors in the book
Václav Vojíř
Václav Vojíř (20.12.1970) is a legend of the Czech bar scene and a recognized personality in the field of beverage culture. He was the one who laid the foundation stone of the cocktail phenomenon in the Czech Republic, after having completed his work experience in Munich in 1991 at the bar Der Clou.
His establishment (Bugsy's bar), which bears the name of the famous American gangster, was established in 1995 in the heart of Prague's Old Town in the post-revolutionary era. The perfect American piano bar style soon became a phenomenal success. Just as the daring Bugsy laid the foundations of Las Vegas in the arid Nevada desert, Vojíř began to build a cocktail culture in the land of beer that was almost non-existent in the Czech Republic thanks to the totalitarian regime.
From the basement he built a respected cocktail bar that became a symbol and a place for the perfect drink. In 1996, Newsweek magazine put it on the map of the best bars in the world. Václav Vojíř took part in the only bartending competition in Cuba, where he won 2nd place with the Almond Cigar cocktail, which is still part of the stylish menu today.
Vojíř himself is a lover of cigars and champagne. His bar has an amazing collection as part of the Champagne Wine Chronology project.
He also introduced Mojito, High Society, Negroni and Old Fashioned cocktails to the Czech audience for the first time, drinks that would become big hits in Czech bars in the future. Today's cocktail menu is based exclusively on the original recipes of local bartenders.
Václav Vojíř has hosted many important personalities but his bar has always focused on the local clientele. He himself has trained many great bartenders and today we can say a whole generation. He promotes the rule to drink yes, but less and better. He refers to Bugsy's bar as his first illegitimate child. Today, he runs other establishments in the metropolis. The cocktail era of Bugsy's bar continues to this day and Bugsy's bar is rightly seen as an institution.
Charles Schumann
An icon of the German bar scene with a worldwide reach, a charismatic master of the classic drink and author of the bestseller The American Bar. His bars and personality played a pivotal role in the cocktail revolution.
Charles Schumann has remained true to his principles: he simply wants to have things the simple way. Cocktails? Preferably classic and with just a few ingredients. Good service, the best quality, no frills. More than anything else, Charles likes things honest and direct. Sometimes you can find him sitting in the garden of his bar, with an apron over his suit, cutting potatoes. “There is no secret to the Schumann's roast potatoes, except that I’m the only one who can make them”.
At a time when most people are long retired, Charles still finds time to run a bar. His passion is boxing. And then there's modeling. He was spotted on the street by a Yohji Yamamoto scout, so he became a model for the designer. He went on to run campaigns for luxury goods, Hugo Boss and Campari.
Stanislav Vadrna
World-renowned and respected bartender Stanislav Vadrna holds a Slovak passport and was born in 1976 in Trnava. However, he was born a second time in 2005 in New York City, where he suffered a heart attack. This describes his very intense life, which he has dedicated to education and self-discovery around the world. In doing so, he has gradually developed into one of the most respected mentors of the bartending craft on the planet.
He is the recipient of prestigious awards, including the best drinks list in the world, when he worked for the Paparazzi bar in Bratislava.
He later founded his own school, the Analog Bartending Institute, which trains bartenders on every continent. Stan Vadrna is also the global ambassador for Nikka Japanese whisky and is seen by the Japanese themselves as the man who connects East and West. His mentor is Master Kazuo Yueda of Tokyo's Tender Bar.
Stanislav Vadrna is a fascinating personality and a man who always sees things a little differently than the average person.
This well-travelled Slovak always has something mythical and innovative up his sleeve, but at the same time coming from his roots. His hands have been used by many bartenders in the world's best bars and hotels such as the Burj al Arab in Dubai.
His way of learning is based, among other things, on the Japanese philosophy of Ichi-go Ichi-e - which means "to appreciate the uniqueness of the moment", which he applies in his personal and professional life.
He describes himself as an ethnographic soul who seeks out other cultures, their way of creating, their attitude towards life and the way they enjoy it.
He himself prefers to drink water and fresh juices made from organic fruits and vegetables.
Stanislav (Kaiholomālie) Vadrna is very active on social media where he demonstrates the materialization of his incredible journey and understanding, which he passes on dynamically and effectively.
Kazuo Uyeda
Javier de las Muelas
Erik Lorincz
