With a seemingly never-ending pool of options, it can be hard to know if you’re picking the best bar for a happy hour or night out. Take it from Stephanie Ridgway, who worked at several bars and distilleries before becoming the director of brand advocacy for the liquor brand Charles Jacquin et Cie. “I’ve been
This As They Told It essay is based on a conversation with Nick Lappen, an American bartender and businessman based in China. His words have been edited for length and clarity. I first visited China when I was 22 on a road trip from London to Mongolia, and the experience left a lasting impression on