Introduction to Rum

A veteran of the hospitality industry with over 15 years of experience, Chris Hopkins, Bacardi’s National Account Portfolio Ambassador has been involved in every facet of the hospitality world since he began his international career many years ago in his hometown of Perth, Western Australia.  From a start with a catering and event management company, to running beverage programs in Las Vegas’ most prestigious resorts, Chris has an outstanding resume of global hands-on hospitality experience.

It began when he left his position of Assistant General Manager at the award winning Paddington Ale House to start working with the largest operator of public houses in the world, Bass Breweries in London in 2000. Shortly after that move, Chris noticed the cocktail bar scene in the UK was beginning to change and it inspired him to move into the drinks world. Chris joined the team at The White House, the first private members lounge concept outside of Central London, where he quickly rose up the ranks from AGM to overseeing the entire beverage program during his tenure. This role helped jumpstart his cocktail career and Chris began working for The Soho House Group, where he helped with the opening of two new venues and assisted in the execution of their annual ‘Pop Up” Soho Houses.

A life across “The Pond” beckoned and at the end of 2004 Chris moved stateside where the burgeoning cocktail scene was developing. After working at the renowned Range Restaurant and Tres Agave in San Francisco, the bright lights of Las Vegas came calling and in 2009 Chris moved into the hotel side of the business. When The Cosmopolitan Hotel opened in 2010, he began as an opening team member of The Vesper Crew and soon moved back into management as the Cosmopolitan Property Mixologist. From there. Chris became Corporate Mixologist for Wynn Resorts in Las Vegas where he oversaw the development, implementation and training for 27 different bars and restaurants with a team of over 200 bartenders and apprentices, all the while upholding the title of Vice President for the USBG Las Vegas Chapter. In 2014, Chris co-founded Cocktail Roadshow, a global hospitality consultancy company specializing in beverage development, training and event management for liquor and hospitality companies of all sizes.

In October 2016, Chris joined the Bacardi Trade Advocacy Team as the National Accounts Portfolio Ambassador giving him the opportunity to develop, plan and execute national account trainings, brand programing, drink strategy creation as well as bartending advocacy building around the country on behalf of Bacardi’s award-winning spirits. Chris currently resides in Miami but typically you will find him traveling around the country sharing his exceptional knowledge on behalf of the brand’s portfolio.