Shows
The Cocktail SceneThe Irish Coffee Episode: What made the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco World Famous On This Month’s Episode of The Cocktail Scene,I sat down with Clark from the iconic Buena Vista Café in San Francisco , the legendary bar that brought Irish Coffee to America. With roots going back to the early 1900s, the Buena Vista became world-famous after travel writer Stanton Delaplane returned from Ireland and convinced the café to perfect the warm, whiskey-laced drink he discovered abroad. Clark shares the rich history, quirky legends, and behind-the-bar stories of one of the most beloved drinks in the U.S. — and the café th...2025-06-2216 min
The Cocktail SceneThe Pornstar Martini Episode: Was Christina Aguilera the zeitgeist of the Pornstar martini, why margaritas are having a moment & how drinks brands should approach trendsIn this episode, myself and cocktail expert, Dani Umoette, (previous Absolut brand ambassador and prestige bartender) & chat about how pop culture influences cocktails, why tequila is suddenly booming and how drinks brands should approach on trade strategy. He has the hottest take that Christina Aguilera was the zeitgeist of the Pornstar martini and how new drinks plans should approach strategy.@thecocktailscene2025-05-0635 minThe Cocktail SceneVoices Radio: Pack it up, pack it in. Looking back on our trip to Nicargua, volcano boarding, home stays and a big night out in San Juan del SurOn this week’s show, Ali and I reflect on an amazing two weeks in Nicargua, where we boarded down an active volcano, did a home stay on the island of Ometepe and partied our lives away in San Juan del Sur. It resulted in some questionable tattoos…@thecocktailscene2024-10-2800 minThe Cocktail SceneVoice Radio: Looking back on our trip to Baccalar, Caye Caulker, San Ignaciox@thecocktailscene2024-06-211h 02The Cocktail SceneMorocco: Marrakesh Spesh - Couple's Hammam, Souks Galore, Influencers in the wildBetter late than never! Ali Mather is back for a Marrakesh Spesh. On this episode, we recap on our trip to Marrakesh. Expect all the usual parts - Eimear's eyes & ears, Ali's local hero. @thecocktailscene2024-06-0349 minThe Cocktail SceneVoice Radio: Looking back on our trip Oaxaca, Puerto Escondido, 14 hour bus trips & petrol heads, literallyIn this weeks episode, we look back on our time in oaxaca city and Peurto escondido aka surfers paradise. Ali’s clothes continue to shrink and Eimear brings a new segment to the pod, with her weekly observations. @thecocktailscene2024-04-221h 00The Cocktail SceneVoices Radio:Looking back on our trip to Guadalajara, clowning around in Tequila, delicious tortas and batanga's galore!On this month with Voices Radio, we are going back to our time in Guadalajara, our day trip to Tequila with a tasting at El Tequileno. We talk food recommendations, clowns on buses and the simple, most delicious cocktail from Tequila called the Batanga. @thecocktailscene2024-03-2559 minThe Cocktail SceneVoices radio: Looking back on San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato and the boujiest wedding in Puerto VallartaThis month on voices radio, we look back to our journey from San Miguel de Allende through to sayulita. @thecocktailscene2024-02-1900 minThe Cocktail ScenePack it up, pack it in special - Dry Jan Recap with the Princess of Ireland Kevin Charles WadeThis week's edition, we're talking packin in the drink for a month with the fabulous Kevin Charles Wade@thecocktailscene2024-02-0726 minThe Cocktail SceneVoices Radio: Pack it up pack it in - A year on...time to look back.Pack it up, pack it in is now LIVE on Voices Radio for a monthly podcast. Tune in monthly Voices RadioIn this episode, we rewind back to the start of the adventure and revisit Mexico City. The start of our backpacking journey, two novice travellers in their 30's take on Mexico City on a budget. The learning - stick to the traveller's route! We crammed in alot in Mexico City, top things to do:- Xochimilco - Venice of Mexico City - Lucha Libra - Wrestling - Teotihuacan - Ancient Ruins (t...2024-01-1900 minThe Cocktail Scene2023 Best bits, the golden nuggets of advice to take in to 2024 with you!A compilation of the best bits from Pack it up, Pack it in interviews in 2023. These nuggets of info will set you up for success in 2024. Thanks for all the support & love for the podcast so far, here's to next year!@thecocktailscene2023-12-3116 minThe Cocktail ScenePack it up pack it in with bar owner Chris Tanner, we talk about the London bar scene, the highs and lows of setting up your own bar, the concept of DramThis week, I chat with Chris Tanner, bar owner of Londons hottest new bar, Dram. Chris has worked in the hospitality industry for over a decade and he's finally taken a leap of faith to open his own bar with his two business partners. We talk about how he got started, what he's learned and the dedication needed to open your own business.@thecocktailscene2023-12-1827 minThe Cocktail ScenePack it up, pack it in with Jo from Clutter Porch - talking fast fashion, thrifting in Central America, rag shops and sustainable shoppingOn this weeks episode, I am chatting with Jo from Clutter Porch, who has her own thrift shop. She talks sourcing vintage, the truth about fast fashion, getting stuck in Guatemala during lockdown and her advice on setting up a sustainable business.@thecocktailscene2023-12-1041 minThe Cocktail ScenePack it up, pack it in with cofounder of Foxes Bow whiskey, Alice Carroll, she shares her experience of setting up her own business, tips on how to get started with your own brand and how they are disrupting the whiskey categoryOn this week's episode, I catch up with Alice Carrol, co founder of Foxes Bow whiskey, who is now based over in Texas as she grows her brand in the US. She shares great tips on how to get started with your own brand, the highs and lows in her story so far and how Foxes Bow are disrupting the whiskey market.@thecocktailscene2023-12-0143 minThe Cocktail ScenePack it up, pack it in with comedian Killian Sudermann, we talk about his career in comedy, being social media famous and blocking out the likersThis week, I chat with the hilarious Killian Sudermann on rising to Instagram stardom during lockdown, getting started as a comedian and what's on the cards for him for 2024.@thecocktailscene2023-11-2634 minThe Cocktail ScenePack it up, Pack it in with Jade Laurice - setting up a fashion brand in London, how to self promote, highs and lows of doing your own thingThis week, I catch up with Jade Laurice a London based designer, fashion blogger and model who has worked with brands like Adidas, Puma and Fenty Beauty. We talk about how she set up her own brand, how she promotes her brand and the highs and lows of being your own boss.@thecocktailscene2023-11-1939 minThe Cocktail ScenePack it up Pack it in with Collette Cooper, musician and actress based in London.On this week's episode, I chat to Collette Cooper, a musician from London who has also acted in the likes of Coronation Street. She's had an incredible career and her personality is unmatched@thecocktailscene2023-11-1229 minThe Cocktail ScenePack it up, pack it in with Sam McArdle, we talk the highs and lows of a career in acting, his new play 'The Manny' and managing setbacksThis week, I sit down with Irish actor and playwriter who is just about to debut his play 'The Manny' next week in the Smock Alley Theatre in London. We talk about the resilience needed to persevere in a career in acting, taking a leap of faith and his time as a male nanny in London.@thecocktailscene2023-11-0535 minThe Cocktail ScenePack it up Pack it in with Ciaran Gaffney, founder of Seanchoiche - Irish storytelling, the importance of community, the power of public speakingOn this weeks episode, I catch up with Ciaran Gaffney, founder of Seanchoiche, to talk about the Irish story telling night that has become the hottest ticket, not just in Ireland, across the world! We talk about living abroad, the need for human connection in a post Covid world and everything in between!@thecocktailscene2023-10-2243 minThe Cocktail ScenePack it up with Katie & Luke from the Ungraceful Guide - Budget Backpacking, Travel with a toddler, Working while travellingThis week, I catch up with Katie and Luke from the Ungraceful Guide, who are an Irish family travelling full time around the world. We talk about their journey so far, how they manage backpacking with a 2 year old, work on the road and how they got started on their journey!@thecocktailscene2023-10-1553 minThe Cocktail SceneNEW TRAILER: A podcast interviewing those who have ditched a conventional lifestyle to pursue their passions!What started as a journey of two thirty somethings quitting our job and 'packing it in' to travel Central and South America has now turned into a podcast interviewing those who have packed in a conventional lifestyle to pursue their passions!@thecocktailscene2023-10-1300 minThe Cocktail SceneTHE COMEBACK - Return to Ireland & UK, Ali's first Guinness back, Lady of Leisure, & snapping back to reality2 months back post travel - what a journey it has been! We reflect on our time away, our misconceptions about travelling, what we've learned and how we have been immersing back into reality...@thecocktailscene2023-08-0836 minThe Cocktail SceneColombia: Bogota, Bad Bunny, Colombian Football Match & A snazzy Penultimate NightOur final week travelling! and we've gone full bouj. We finished our week in Medellin and stayed in Laurelles, close to the football stadium were we watched a (pretty average) match. We decided to treat ourselves in Bogota and stayed in a hotel, that Pablo Escobar had put his family into when he was on the run. We had a B.N.O with some pals we met along the way and had the most STUNNING final meal in a restaurant called Prudencia@thecocktailscene2023-06-1539 minThe Cocktail SceneColombia - Medellin, stories of Pablo Escobar, Eimear's birthday surprise, exploring the waterfalls of Jardin & lots moreEimear's bday week kicked off with a great start with a tasting menu at Carmen in Medellin and a night star in the boujiest hotel! We visited Communa 13, once the most dangerous place in the world and explored the buzzy city. We took a day trip to Guatuape and climbed the infamous rock with the most incredible views and spent a few days away from the city in the most stunning little town called Jardin@thecocktailscene2023-06-0140 minThe Cocktail SceneColombia - Santa Marta Heat, Tayrona Park, Minca Blissfullness, Travel Safety Precautions and a dollop of Mexican madnessA mix of city and countryside vibes this week! A few sketchy situations, including a near death motorbike experience in Minca. We got the party started with karaoke in a Mexican restaurant and we finally spotted a toucan!@thecocktailscene2023-05-2338 minThe Cocktail SceneColombia; San Andres Island, Caribbean vibes, living the boat life & a visit to Rasta Man Richie's eco-farmWe left the city of Cartagena on a high with a visit to one of the world's best cocktail bars and a soak in a 'healing' mud volcano. Then on to San Andres island with a 2 week hiatus from our usual 'back packing' life, chilling by the beach and soaking up the sun. Our pals Lisa and Emma came to visit, we befriended our air bnb host and her family and we lived our best life's with boat tours to the famous quays of the island.@thecocktailscene2023-05-1640 minThe Cocktail ScenePanama & Colombia; Panama City & its Cosmopolitan ways, a village 'fete' in Chitre, a Chicken on the bus & a wild start to Colombia in CartagenaA jam packed week in Panama, we partied with locals in Chitre & visited Ron Abuelo distillery before heading to the cosmopolitan city of Panama. Ali nerded over the Panama canal & we partied the night away with our new 'travel fwend' Hattie before making our way to Colombia.@thecocktailscene2023-05-0139 minThe Cocktail SceneCosta Rica and Panama; Puerto Viejo's Carribean vibes, Bocas del Toras, another hospital run & overfamiliar situationsWe finished off our Costa Rica trip in Puerta Viejo and then made our way to Panama, starting with Bocas del Toras. Ali had another trip to the hospital with a NASTY mosquito bite and Eimear enjoyed Margarita Monday.@thecocktailscene2023-04-2437 minThe Cocktail SceneCosta Rica, Sloth Spotting, Whitewater Rafting/Falling into rivers & Tarzan SwingingThis week, we explored La Fortuna, Monteverde & Manuel Antonio with our friends coming to join from London/Ireland! We were pure thrill seekers, taking on a Tarzan swing in MonteVerde, Ziplining across the Cloud Forest and White Water Rafting in La Fortuna. Pura Vida 4 Lyf@thecocktailscene2023-04-1440 minThe Cocktail SceneEpisode 12 - Nicaragua; Ometepe, San Juan de Sur, DIY Sunday Funday's, Ropey Tattoos & all the seltzersA very HOT week exploring Nicaragua with a homestay in Ometepe, a relaxing few days in San Juan de Sur and gazing into a live bubbling volcano in GranadaWe ended the week with a boozy Sunday Funday resulting in two ridiculous tattoos and a raging hangover2023-04-0541 minThe Cocktail SceneNicaragua: Ometepe Island, San Juan de Sur, DIY Sunday Funday's, Ropey Tattoos & all the seltzersA very HOT week exploring Nicaragua with a homestay in Ometepe, a relaxing few days in San Juan de Sur and gazing into a live bubbling volcano in GranadaWe ended the week with a boozy Sunday Funday resulting in two ridiculous tattoos and a raging hangover@thecocktailscene2023-04-0541 minThe Cocktail SceneNicaragua, Half Way Mark, Volcano Boarding & Restaurant Walk OutsWe've reached our half way mark! After 73 days living in each other's pockets, tensions were tight, with a 'volcanic' explosion from Eimear in a restaurant. Volcano boarding was added to the list of terrifyingly thrilling shit we've done & we joined a pub crawl with a load of 18 year olds ! An eventful week no doubt@thecocktailscene2023-03-2936 minThe Cocktail SceneGuatemala; Antigua, Paddy's Day frolicking & Hiking Acatenango VolcanoLegs still burning from our trek up to Volcano Acatenango and exploring all that Antigua has to offer! Great fun for Paddy's Day in the local Irish pub, Flora & Eimear got a bit ahead of themselves....@thecocktailscene2023-03-2338 minThe Cocktail SceneGuatemala; Lake Atitlan, Hospital Runs & miscommunications about SlothsA jam packed week, clocking up nearly 30 hours on buses, staying in 6 different hostels and enjoying all that Guatemala has to offer. Special guest, Flora Stobart has arrived!@thecocktailscene2023-03-1736 minThe Cocktail SceneMexico & Belize; Baccalar to finish, Unbelizable food, Caye Caulker & Eimear is retiring to a Carribean IslandBEST WEEK EVER! An end to our 7 week trip around Mexico, finishing in Baccalar with it's crystal blue waters & finding paradise in Caye Caulker. Snarkling tour with Regga Sailing Aventures, trying Fry Jacks in our favourite brunch spot Paridiso Restaurant and drinking bucket loads of illuminious orange fanta YUM@thecocktailscene2023-03-0738 minThe Cocktail SceneMexico; San Cristobal, Traveller Belly, Fun Pose & Footie PredictionsThis week, we chilled in San Cristobal, Ali endured some terrible food poisoning and we explored the amazing canyons of Chiapas! We met some hilarious new people and ate some decent food too@thecocktailscene2023-02-2745 minThe Cocktail SceneMexico; Oaxaca City, 14 hour buses, Sun, Sea & Puerto EscondidoThis week we explored the amazing city of Oaxaca, with a walking tour around the city and an excursion to the petrified lakes! We then headed to the sunny South for a sunburn filled week in Peurto Escondido - find out more about our recommendations on PackitupPackitinPod on Insta@thecocktailscene2023-02-2140 minThe Cocktail SceneMexico; Guadalajara, Tequila, Clowning around & sleep deprivationOn this week's episode, we explored Guadalajara, Tequila, Ajicic & just touched down in Oaxaca. We ate possibly the best meal so far in Mexico in a local market in Guadalajara at Super Tortas Lokas y Kalientes, and drank a Batanga in one of the World's Best Bars@thecocktailscene2023-02-1351 minThe Cocktail SceneMexico; Puerto Vallarta, Wedding fun, Potato currency and Sayulita beachesOn this weeks episode, we look back on an epic week in Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita, celebrating Eimear's brother's wedding and enjoying the coastal towns. Lapping up the last bit of luxury before returning to backpacker life next week!@thecocktailscene2023-02-0642 minThe Cocktail SceneMexico; San Miguel de Allende, Taco Tours in Puerto Vallarta & New FwendsThis week, we headed North of Mexico city to San Miguel de Allende & Guanjuato before flying to the coast of Puerto Vallarta for Eimear's bros wedding.A particularly boujee week, to Eimears liking2023-01-3142 minThe Cocktail SceneMexico; Mexico City, dodgy tacos, air bnb dungeon and the best things to do in the city!On this episode, we reflect on our week, right in the hustle and bustle of Mexico city. We talk best things to see and do, an awful air bnb experience, flirting using Spanish translation books and the booms & glooms of the week!@thecocktailscene2023-01-2337 minThe Cocktail SceneTravel Preparation, Itinerary planning, Eimear gets hypnotisedOur pre departure episode, chatting packing, itinerary planning (or not so much in Ali's case) and Eimear gets hypnotized!@thecocktailscene2023-01-1630 minThe Cocktail SceneTrailer: Pack it Up, Pack it InTrailer for our travel podcast, Pack it Up, Pack it in@thecocktailscene2023-01-1601 min