Women in Hospitality: Honoring Female Bartenders and Servers for Women’s History Month

The hospitality scene relies on skill, creativity, and hard work. But for a long time, it wasn’t the most welcoming place for women. Take California for example—it was illegal for women to serve drinks behind a bar until 1971 unless they were the owner’s wife or daughter. Thankfully, things have changed, and women are now bringing fresh energy to the industry—literally.

From award-winning bartenders to groundbreaking organizations, let’s raise a toast to the women making a splash in hospitality.

The Trailblazers

• Ada Coleman (1875-1966): Known as “Coley,” she was one of the first well-known female bartenders and served as head bartender at The Savoy in London, where she created the classic Hanky Panky cocktail.
• Joy Perrine: Dubbed the “Bad Girl of Bourbon,” she played a big part in bringing bourbon cocktails into the limelight.
• Audrey Saunders: A modern mixology star and founder of Pegu Club, which has become one of NYC’s most influential spots.

Women Shaping Hospitality Today

• Pink Boots Society: This global nonprofit supports women and non-binary folks working in the beer industry.
• Ivy Mix: Co-owner of Leyenda in Brooklyn and a strong advocate for women in bartending.
• Monica Berg: Co-founder of Tayēr + Elementary, recognized as one of the World’s 50 Best Bars.
• Lauren Paylor O’Brien: Named World Class Global Bartender of the Year in 2022, she’s a champion for fairness in hospitality.

Women Are Still Fighting for Equal Space

There are tons of women making waves in this industry now and in the past.  But even with all the progress, women in hospitality still deal with issues like wage gaps and harassment. By supporting women-owned bars, mentoring up-and-coming talent, and advocating for safer workplaces, we can help make sure the next generation of female bartenders shines.

If you are interested in learning more, please email us at support@certifiedalcoholtraining.com. And there are some great reads about women in alcohol too. You can also check out books such as: Drinking Like Ladies: 75 modern cocktails from the world’s leading female bartenders; Includes toasts to extraordinary women in history A Woman’s Place Is in the Brewhouse: A Forgotten History of Alewives, Brewsters, Witches, and CEOs, Whiskey Women: The Untold Story of How Women Saved Bourbon, Scotch, and Irish Whiskey, and Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol. 

This Women’s History Month, let’s honor the women behind the bar, and keep making history.