Hello, I'm Iyan.
Dutch native, easy going bartender with a curiosity for mixology and a love for rum.
Bartending is a passion I stumbled upon by accident and I haven't looked back since. I started out as a bartender at a private events venue, working mainly club bar and terrace, serving beers, wines, soft drinks, coffees, and a limited menu of cocktails and highballs to a crowd of 200-350. Here I also completed my course for a social hygiene certification, which allowed me to work as a project leader, working as host and contact person for organisations renting our venue and making sure everything went according to the wishes of respective organisers. Shortly after leaving this company I enrolled in the EBS international bartender course and mixology course, as the small cocktail menu had intrigued and inspired me to want to learn more about the world and art of cocktail bartending. The month at EBS I still look back on fondly and has given me lasting friendships. Almost directly after graduating I was hired to work as a head bartender for the Harbour Club in amsterdam oost, a position I only held for about 5 months, as I discovered my personal style was not suitable for such a large, fast paced venue. I wanted something smaller, where the focus on quality was the priority over the speed. Hence I finished my work and simultaneously looked for something closer to home, having just moved to Haarlem. In Haarlem, I found Bar Number 5. A small, homely cocktail bar which, at that point, lacked anyone with proper experience and education and the owner was excited to bring me onboard after talking about all the ideas I already had that could be potential improvements to the venue, as at the time the revenue was going down considerably. I have since worked as a head bartender there and have, with the team, developed a new menu, given workshops and personally trained the staff. Since I started my work there, the revenue has started going back up to minimal levels and continues to rise.
Education
European Bartender School Amsterdam International Bartender Course (4 weeks) - Oct 2023
European Bartender School online Mixology Course (2 days) - Oct 2023
Stichting Vakbekwaamheid Horeca online Social Hygiene - Nov 2022
Work experience
Bars on Sight - N/A Bartender, July 1, 2024 - Jan. 1, 2024
Bar Number 5 - Bar Number 5 Head Bartender, March 1, 2024 - Sept. 1, 2024
Harbour Club - Amsterdam - Oost Head Bartender, Nov. 1, 2023 - March 1, 2024
Akhnaton - Amsterdam Project Leader, Jan. 1, 2023 - Sept. 1, 2023
Akhnaton - Amsterdam Bartender, July 1, 2022 - Dec. 1, 2022
