Rebel Girl by Natalie Smith at Metl Bar in San Diego, California

Rebel Girl by Natalie Smith at Metl Bar in San Diego, California

We asked our female bar managers, bar owners and bartenders about their experiences in the hospitality industry. We also asked them to share a cocktail using a female-led ingredient from the Craft Spirits portfolio. Here, Natalie Smith, bar manager of Metl Bar in San Diego, shares her thoughts with us.  

I have worked in a few other industries and none of them felt like I belong like the bar industry. Being in a leadership role, I feel I help break the stigma that bartending is only a boy’s club. Powerful women are vital to the industry and I’m honored to contribute.

I am often surprised that some people are surprised to see a strong woman behind the bar instead of a man. I work to create an environment where women are encouraged to not only perform all the same job requirements as a male counterpart but also be creative and offer a different perspective. 

I have the honor of working for Metlbar, and other female led bars before, that celebrate women in the workplace. I aim to continue to build on that environment where more women thrive in the industry.

Rebel Girl Recipe

1 oz Manly Spirits Lilly Pilly Pink Gin
.5 oz Lofi Gentian Amaro
.25 raspberry purée
.25 lemon juice
Sparkling wine & club soda

Combine spirits and fruit juice in a tin. Shake and strain into a wine glass filled with ice. Top with equal parts sparkling wine and club soda. Garnish with a raspberry and enjoy! 

About Metl Bar Creamery & Cafe

Metl Bar is a rock themed bar & restaurant in the heart of the Gaslamp specializing in Tex-Mex style dishes and agave & whiskey focused craft cocktails. Boozy ice cream to go!

Visit Metl Bar here

  • Vendor:
    Death & Co. x The Craft Spirits Cooperative

    Aurora Highball by Death & Co.

    Regular price $19.99
    Regular price Sale price $19.99
    Aurora Highball by Death & Co.
  • Vendor:
    Death & Co. x The Craft Spirits Cooperative

    Ranger Buck by Death & Co.

    Regular price $23.99
    Regular price Sale price $23.99
    Ranger Buck by Death & Co.