My Life
I grew up in Izmir, on the Turkish Aegean coast. It was in Izmir’s lively streets that my life took a big turn, back in 2000 on New Year’s Eve. Me and my friends from middle school were celebrating at the Mercure Hotel, thanks to my friend’s dad who managed the place. That night, there was this American bartender doing a guest shift, showing the local staff some cool tricks and passing on his knowledge. We were just 14, barely starting to learn English, but man, that dude was impressive! His love for mixing drinks was so contagious, it really fascinated me. That night planted a seed of ambition in me that I’ll never forget. It was like a calling unlike the conventional aspirations of youth. I became that weird kid, who swapped his dreams of doctor’s stethoscopes and fire hoses for the art of mixology.
“I became that weird kid that wanted to become a bartender”
Gökhan Kuşoğlu
By the age of 17, I found myself behind the counter of a café, preparing shitty coffees and cocktails. But: it was fun. Alongside a fellow apprentice, we learned the basics of service, welcoming the locals and forging connections with each order served. From the pulsating beats of sprawling discos to the neon-lit corners of vodka bars, my journey began decade across the bustling landscapes of Izmir and Bodrum – each venue a chapter in my pursuit of excellence.
But, if you want to be internationally acknowledged, you simply have to be in Istanbul. Thus, I embarked on a new chapter, joining the ranks of Babylon, orchestrators of grand festivals. Yet, it was the arrival of Soho House that offered me a unique opportunity, a chance to ply my trade amidst the city’s chic elite. I simply sent them my CV swiftly ascended from bartender to bar manager.
