May 22, 2021
Tiffanie Barriere is the epitome of southern hospitality—warm,
kind, and welcoming. She’s just the person you’d want as your
drinking coach, which is fitting: The Drinking Coach is a moniker
given to her by a friend, and it eventually became the name of the
Instagram account where she shares stories of uncelebrated Black
people throughout history, with a cocktail alongside. Tiffanie is
more than an incredible bartender—she’s a teacher, a mentor, and a
historian, using her platform to shed light on long-forgotten
stories.
Tiffanie started her journey at One Flew South, the first upscale
restaurant in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. She
worked as the beverage director at the restaurant for seven years,
during the time when it was recognized as the “Best Airport Bar in
the World” at Tales of the Cocktail.
Now, as an independent bartender, Tiffanie is getting her own
recognition for her contributions to the bartending and service
world. Earlier this year, she was featured on the cover of Imbibe
Magazine’s 75 People to Watch issue, and most recently announced
her involvement in the Jubilee project, a venture by award-winning
food and nutrition journalist Toni Tipton-Martin.
In our conversation, Tiffanie and I talk about what sparked her
interested in service and how it grew into a passion.
She shares the difficulties of striking out on her own as an
independent bartender, and also talks about inspiration, and why
she is her ancestors' wildest dreams come true.