Ryan Chetiyawardana, better known as Mr Lyan, is one of the most accomplished and influential bartenders and operators of the modern era. He is “him” as the zoomers might say (or the bee’s knees for the old souls).
By no means are these claims hyperbolic — if there’s an individual award for Chetiyawardana to have garnered, he’s won it; if there’s a coveted list for his bars to have topped, he and his charismatic bartenders have done that too. But despite Mr Lyan’s illustrious career — which also includes a published book, an online masterclass course for novice cocktail enthusiasts and multiple “world’s best bar” awards — he still remains one of the kindest, most considerate and humble personalities in the global bar industry. Where some celebrity chefs and bartenders let their successes turn them into compassionless egotists, Chetiyawardana remains steadfast in his mission to innovate, educate, and champion community, diversity and talent in the hospitality industry through myriad initiatives, and in how his bars operate day to day. Simply put, he’s a classy gentleman — well, most of the time.
