Move over, Mister! Let’s make some room for the women behind the bar and those who made the drinks that made cocktail history.
This month, we’re making a splash for the legendary ladies who muddled gender lines and mixed things up by liberating the bar for themselves. The early notion was that bartending was strictly a man’s job—an occupation rife with blatant sexism where men discriminated against women under the pretense of protecting them from the corruption of the job, or from liquor itself.
But rules are made to be broken, if not slightly bent, by women fully-imbued with the temerity and tenacity to take on the establishment and erstwhile exclusions—and there were many. Here are just a few who made drinks and crafted their legacies by standing up so women everywhere could stand behind the bar.
Valentine Goesaert
Ambitious and enterprising, Valentine Goesaert was a tavern owner, who survived Prohibition and post-Prohibition leveraging every loophole within the stern laws designed to restrict women from bartending.
When a law passed in 1947 that banned women bartenders unless they were either the wife or daughter of the bar owner, Goesaert hired noted attorney and women’s rights pioneer Anne Davidow. Together they sued, taking the case all the way to the Supreme Court with the argument that the law violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Alas, the Court ruled 6-3 against Goesaert and Davidow, but their landmark case set precedent for gender discrimination, and when Davidow finally convinced Michigan to repeal the law, it forever raise the bar for equality behind the bar.
Ada “Coley” Coleman
In an era when women were seldom welcomed behind the bar, the incomparable Ada Coleman was an absolute legend. To regulars, she was “Coley” and to others, including the London Daily Express, she was “England’s most famous barmaid.”
Head Bartender over the iconic Savoy American Bar in London, Coleman was a consummate hostess to affluent clientele, from Marlene Dietrich and Charlie Chaplin to the Prince of Wales and legendary actor, Sir Charles Hawtrey, who inspired her most famous invention, the Hanky Panky, a Negroni-like cocktail made with gin, sweet vermouth, and Fernet-Branca.
Arguably one of the best-known bartenders in history – female or otherwise – Coleman trained fellow Brit Harry Craddock, who wrote definitive bartending guide, The Savoy Cocktail Book and to this day she remains a revelation to bartenders around the world.
Audrey Saunders
If the future is female, she’s likely behind the bar with the audacious Audrey Saunders—a legendary NYC bartender who amassed worldwide adulation for her industry success and mastery of cocktail reinventions, like the Gin Gin Mule.
Much like women bartenders before her, she encountered and overcame the dubious doubts of a male-dominated field to become one of the most prolific bartenders of our time. Audrey Sanders is known for championing the return of classic ingredients and her modern interpretation of venerable drinks, like her Old Cuban which is a Mojito topped with Champagne.
She’s been featured on television, radio and in myriad publications, including The New York Times, The Times (UK), New York Magazine, Wine & Spirits, Food Arts, Food & Wine, and Saveur., and yet, Saunders is at home, at her best in a bounty of ideas… behind the bar, a tireless mentor to the many likeminded bartenders who revere the craft and creation of cocktails.
More than a footnote.
Valentine, Coley, Audrey—bartenders maligned and marginalized for being a woman and women remembered for being a bartender. Let’s raise a glass (or two) to these ladies who made drinks, made history, and helped shape cocktail culture.
Cheers!
Events

Sip & Soak It Up: Sazerac Through the Ages
Taste your way through Sazerac’s storied history with archivist Nick Laracuente. Your journey begins with a sample of Sazerac de Forge Cognac made in Segonzac, France, where the Sazerac family were distilling Eau de Vie in the 1600s. The Sazerac family grew into international distributors as their products are shipped to New Orleans. A pour of Sazerac Rye follows to highlight the industry transition as France’s grape stocks were plagued by phylloxera giving rise to a popularity in rye whiskies. Next, sample a bourbon from Sazerac’s Buffalo Trace Distillery, the oldest continuously operating distillery in America. During Prohibition the distillery was even permitted to remain operational, to make whiskey for "medicinal purposes.” When Prohibition ends in 1933, only four distilleries in Kentucky are capable of producing whiskey – Buffalo Trace, then known as George T. Stagg Distillery, is one of the last standing. Lastly, enjoy an exclusive pour to toast what is on the horizon as Sazerac continues to Honor Tradition and Embrace Change through constant experimentation and innovation as it develops spirits fit for any occasion. Your ticket price ($45) will include tasting of four Sazerac products, light refreshments, new information and artifacts not shared with the public before, as well as the opportunity to ask questions about any of our historic brands directly to the caretaker of Sazerac’s history! Seating is limited. This is a 21+ event.

Sip & Soak It Up: Sazerac Through the Ages
Taste your way through Sazerac’s storied history with archivist Nick Laracuente. Your journey begins with a sample of Sazerac de Forge Cognac made in Segonzac, France, where the Sazerac family were distilling Eau de Vie in the 1600s. The Sazerac family grew into international distributors as their products are shipped to New Orleans. A pour of Sazerac Rye follows to highlight the industry transition as France’s grape stocks were plagued by phylloxera giving rise to a popularity in rye whiskies. Next, sample a bourbon from Sazerac’s Buffalo Trace Distillery, the oldest continuously operating distillery in America. During Prohibition the distillery was even permitted to remain operational, to make whiskey for "medicinal purposes.” When Prohibition ends in 1933, only four distilleries in Kentucky are capable of producing whiskey – Buffalo Trace, then known as George T. Stagg Distillery, is one of the last standing. Lastly, enjoy an exclusive pour to toast what is on the horizon as Sazerac continues to Honor Tradition and Embrace Change through constant experimentation and innovation as it develops spirits fit for any occasion. Your ticket price ($45) will include tasting of four Sazerac products, light refreshments, new information and artifacts not shared with the public before, as well as the opportunity to ask questions about any of our historic brands directly to the caretaker of Sazerac’s history! Seating is limited. This is a 21+ event.

Sip & Shop
Holiday Sip & Shop Thursday, December 14th, 2023 5:00pm – 8:00pm Join us for a Holiday Sip & Shop to prepare for the gift-giving season in style! This event promises to bring the spirit to light with beautifully packaged spirited gift sets, cocktail accoutrements, clothing, barware and even fun gifts for our four-legged friends! DJ87 will keep the season bright with holiday favorites spinning all night. Enjoy a complimentary spiked Apple Cider while you shop. If that didn’t get you feeling merry and bright, Santa will be on site from 5:30pm – 6:30pm for a holiday photo keepsake from LazyEye Photography! Opt-in to a mini cocktail class offered every half hour where you can experience a classic holiday cocktail and leave with the recipe to recreate at your own celebration! Just $12.25! (See what we did there??) When you register to join us for this complimentary event, you will have the opportunity to pre-purchase homerun gifts!
