You might have switched on the TV recently and seen a local reality dating show set in a restaurant. And you may well have noticed that the Bartender is a big fixture. Well in this case, it’s veteran bartender and host, James Devlin with 20 years of hospo experience under his belt. We chat to him about how he got his TV gig on First Dates.
How did you get into the hospitality industry?
I started as a glass collector back in my home town of Liverpool and quickly fell in love with the social aspect of the job.
Where are you working at the moment?
When I am not working behind the bar at the First Dates Restaurant, I am flinging drinks and shaking cocktails at private events and parties. During the summer I mainly work on the super yachts as their on-deck cocktail bartender – I love it! If you have seen the show ‘Below Deck’, it is just like that.
How did you land the TV gig, and what is it like?
I applied through a casting link on Facebook and was lucky Warner Brothers and Channel 10 chose me. It’s a dream come true. I am a huge fan of the show in the UK, so being able to be the bartender here in Australia, is awesome. I get to meet and work with the most amazing people and characters in front and behind the camera, we are all one big ‘First Dates’ family.
What are some of the things you love about hospitality?
I love the social aspect; I am definitely not a 9-5 desk jockey – been there done that and hated it. I love meeting new people, trying new drinks and new takes on old things. I also love craft ale and the variety out here in Australia is amazing.
The marg is still a winner everywhere and the sour is making a cheeky little comeback (something I am happy about). I saw a lot of wine-based cocktails come through in the summer months. I have been enjoying my own take on a Mojito but replacing the rum with sav blanc, it’s refreshing and delicious, and easy to make a jug of it to share with friends.
What are some of the things you don’t like about the hospitality industry?
The setup, clear down and the restock, I am a social butterfly, and that feels too much like a ‘workout’ for me (but I appreciate it has got to be done). Oh, and I also hate it when people puke in the toilets.
Are there any bars overseas that are on your hit list?
I love finding speakeasies and hidden bars wherever I go. The best place for this so far has to be New York. I did a two-week speakeasy tour of New York back in 2019, it was awesome.
Trends. What cocktail trends are hot right now? And what do you see happening in the next year or so.
There is so much going on in the cocktail world right now, with eventing opening up, everyone is out there keen to try new things. The marg is still a winner everywhere and the sour is making a cheeky little comeback (something I am happy about). I saw a lot of wine-based cocktails come through in the summer months. I have been enjoying my own take on a Mojito but replacing the rum with sav blanc, it’s refreshing and delicious, and easy to make a jug of it to share with friends.
Do you have any mentors or people that you really respect in this industry that have helped you along the way?
One person stands out: my dear friend Andrew Miles from back in the UK. He has worked in hospo for as long as I have and has taught me so many great things when it comes to cocktailing. Still to this day he will comment or correct me on things I do in my content on Instagram. If you want to see some of the great content I create, follow my Insta @james_devlinfd
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Still doing what I do, making great drinks and meeting great people. I am slowly building online content through my Instagram and have started working with some amazing brands which I hope to continue and grow.