Erik Lorincz
Alessandro Scire CalabrisottoShare
Precision, poise and an almost reverent respect for the classics — these are the hallmarks of Erik Lorincz. The Slovak-born bartender spent seven years restoring one of the world's most famous bars to its former glory before striking out on his own, and along the way he became a byword for elegance behind the stick. His is a career built not on spectacle, but on craft.
Early Life & Path to the Bar
Lorincz's journey began in Slovakia, where he graduated from hospitality school in the late 1990s. A cocktail competition in Prague sparked a deeper fascination with the craft, and he soon enrolled in a bartending course that set the course for everything to follow.
He cut his teeth at what was then Slovakia's first dedicated cocktail bar, learning the fundamentals of his trade. After a few years honing his skills at home, he made the move to the United Kingdom, carrying with him the discipline and curiosity that would come to define his style.
The Rise of Erik Lorincz
In 2010, Lorincz became the tenth head bartender of the American Bar at The Savoy, joining as part of the team relaunching the historic London room. The same year, he won the global Diageo World Class competition, announcing himself as one of the most accomplished bartenders of his generation.
Over the years that followed, he led the American Bar back to the very top of the profession. In 2017 the bar was named the World's Best Bar, and Lorincz earned a nomination for International Bartender of the Year at the Spirited Awards — recognition of a quiet, methodical reinvention rather than a flashy one.
Signature Drinks & Contributions
Lorincz's signature is his sensibility. He is celebrated for an understated, classical approach — drinks that are balanced, refined and made with meticulous attention to technique rather than theatrical flourish. At the American Bar, he championed the heritage of the room while gently modernising its menus.
His influence reaches beyond the glass. He has long been an advocate for the craft of bartending itself, sharing his knowledge through teaching and demonstrations, and even appeared as the bartender in the James Bond film Skyfall — a fitting cameo for a man so associated with elegance. In February 2019 he opened his own bar, Kwānt, in London's Mayfair, which quickly climbed into the upper reaches of the world's best bar rankings.
Legacy
Lorincz's lasting contribution is a reminder that bartending, at its finest, is a discipline. By restoring the American Bar to global acclaim and then building Kwānt in his own image, he has shown a generation of bartenders that restraint and rigour can be every bit as thrilling as innovation. His name has become shorthand for doing the classics properly.
Curiosity: A Fun Fact About Erik Lorincz
Lorincz's reputation for elegance reached the silver screen: he appeared as the bartender in the James Bond film Skyfall, mixing 007's drink on camera — a small role that perfectly suited one of the most refined bartenders of his era.