Lukas Stafin Purl London Manager

Every great bar needs someone to hold the reins and here at Purl London that someone is our Manager, Lukas Stafin. Polish born and bred from Szczecin, Lukas joined our team in May 2016 and has taken Purl from strength to strength. As well as being based at Purl, Lukas is also involved in the consultancy side of the business and has run projects for us in many places including Dubai, NYC, Bahamas, Maldives, Paris and Berlin.

 

When did you start your career in the beverage industry & how did it come about?
It was back in 2005, I was working in a small hotel in Suffolk and one Friday night I was asked to assist the bartenders. It was a busy night and I had no idea what I was doing however, I really enjoyed the vibe, and the bug bit me!

What made you pursue a career in this industry?
The movie ‘Cocktail’ with Tom Cruise. I was into cocktail flairing in the beginning so this movie influenced me in this direction. When you work in a bar everyday is different, something that I missed when I worked in retail or in an office.

What is it that you like about working in a bar and what in particular drew you to Purl?
I like meeting new people from around the world and it gives me the opportunity to visit places normally I wouldn’t see.  Purl is a place I knew from when I first moved to London, however I never thought I would get the opportunity to work here! It’s a place where a lot of great bartenders have worked, a place that pushes the boundaries of the cocktail world, where creativity is a must and this is what I love about Purl. Plus working with Bryan is an amazing experience, thanks to him I do what I do right now!

As a Manager, what is it that you look for in a person to know they will be a good fit for Purl?
Definitely personality. This is key. Someone that can fit within the small team that we have at Purl, but at the same time can bring something new to the table. Being able to run the whole bar is important too as bartenders at Purl must know, not only how to mix, but also how to host, work the floor, bar-back or even be a doorman. 

Where do you draw your inspiration from for these crazy cocktails? 
Inspiration for cocktails comes from people who visit Purl. From talking to customers about their favourite spirits, flavours, style of cocktails our guests inspire us to create our menus. Cocktails should be fun and that’s what we strive to achieve.

Your favourite cocktail?
Daiquiri – most simple and most difficult to make properly.

Preferred apparatus?
Mixing spoon and glass shakers.