Close up w/
Arash Ghassemi
Some paths you don’t plan — they find you. For Arash Ghassemi, a single winter season working as a bartender in Kitzbühel, Austria, turned into a lifelong passion for hospitality. Today, the Berlin-based entrepreneur and bartender brings people together with effortless charm and a deep sense of authenticity. In our interview, Arash talks about early inspirations, quiet moments, and why true hospitality is always personal. A conversation about craft, community — and finding joy in the details.
You start as a guest and become a professional — that, for me, is like a superpower.
The
interview
After finishing school, you chose working in hospitality in Kitzbühel instead of pursuing your initial plan of studying film. How did that decision influence your path?
The plan was simple: one winter season in Kitzbühel to earn money and travel the world. But life had other plans. I met my first bar mentor there, who introduced me to cocktails — and I fell in love.
Your early days in Kitzbühel marked the beginning of your bartending journey. Did they also shape your approach to hospitality?
I loved being in a place where people came just to enjoy themselves. If someone chooses to spend their free time at my venue, that’s something to honour — and that mindset has stayed with me ever since.
You developed your skills on the job, not through formal education. How did that shape your view of the industry?
It taught me to always see things through the guest’s eyes first. You start as a guest — and if you never lose that perspective, you gain a kind of superpower.
If what you’re creating isn’t authentic, your guests will sense it. Authenticity is key.
