Evan Mak, senior bartender at Argo , identifies two pivotal moments in his eventful bartending journey: scrubbing floors at his first restaurant job at 18 years old, and joining Argo as a junior bartender in 2021.
“I was cleaning up behind the bar on an especially busy night when a customer tipped me and thanked me for taking my chores seriously despite the chaos. In that moment, I realised that every job consists of many small tasks. How you approach one part reflects where you’re heading with the whole job,” says Mak.
It is this meticulous attitude that has propelled him to senior bartender at Argo in just two years – a bar that’s currently ranked ninth in Asia’s 50 Best Bars . He was also a top-six finalist on “Master Mixologist,” a local cocktail competition reality television show, “Mixologist Champion” at the Young Chef Young Waiter Young Mixologist Hong Kong Awards 2024 , and, of course, crowned top young bartender in Cathay Pacific’s Cathay Members’ Choice Awards 2024.
Over the years, Mak has expanded his knowledge of spirits and flavours extensively, showcasing his creative range in a series of bold and innovative cocktails.
“We always aim to highlight Hong Kong’s local produce in our drinks. In a previous menu, we had a drink called the XO negroni,” he says, discussing one of the drinks that best represents his style.