Meanwhile, at the city’s best-known bar, Parovoz Speak Easy, it’s not quite business as usual but the bar is open. When sirens ring out, many customers choose to stay in the relative safety of the bar, says owner Dima Shovkoplias, situated as it is beneath a cinema. At least until the city falls under curfew.
Fund raising
In spite of the difficulties many beleaguered hospitality businesses still manage to raise money – and spirits – for the country’s defence. “Despite the times, our bar holds charitable guest shifts to raise money for humanitarian causes,” says Kuchkarov. “On our menu there is also a charitable cocktail, Mriya (Dream) Gimlet, the sales of which are donated to local foundations.
Parovoz Speak Easy also supports Ukrainian bartenders at war. “One of our own bartenders is in the army now,” says Shovkoplias.
But there is also a job to be done internationally. Shovkoplias, a regular face at bar events globally, has used his platform as an opportunity. “The Brave Ukraine Tour is my own way of creating awareness around the war and also to raise funds to support my team and local bartenders affected by the Russian invasion.”
The tour has so far seen 19 guest shifts in multiple cities across Romania, Italy and Portugal and a 12-event tour of the US. “Step by step we are making our voice heard – that the war is still on. Some of the people who have come to the events have donated to charities directly and some funds we collect from the cocktail sales thanks to the partner bars and sponsors. This money has gone to my staff and bartenders at war who are in need of help. We also support organisations such as BudmoUA and government incentive United24.”
BudmoUA takes its name from the Ukrainian toast ‘Budmo’ and translates to ‘let us be’. The initiative, forged by a group of spirits industry professionals from Ukraine earlier this year – some of whom are former employees of the Kyiv’s Barometer bar show – aims to raise funds to support Ukrainian restaurants to feed 20,000 people a day, help funding medical staff and support the elderly and families in need.
It has launched a fund raiser, asking international bars to create a cocktail or hold an event to raise awareness around the war, and to donate a share of revenue to the cause. Events have been staged around the world, with brands supporting the initiative and bars pledging profits.
So far, bars in Germany, Georgia, Romania, Belgium, UK, Italy, Spain, Czeck Republic, France, Kazakhstan and New Zealand have taken part. To support, visit budmoua.world
