Meet Ivy Mix | Bar Owner, Bottle Shop Owner, Events Coordinator and Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ivy Mix and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ivy, what role has risk played in your life or career?
As I am in the process of opening up another bar I am thinking WHY this risk!? Perhaps it is something about youth that risk seems less scary. I think also risk is easier to attempt when you have nothing to lose and nothing to prove. As I’ve gone through my career and started several businesses, written a few books and more, each new venture seems even riskier and scarier.

That being said, taking risks and succeeding is like an addiction. There is nothing like it.

To me, I’ve always liked creating things and there is inherent risk in making your own creation rather than following someone else’s creation. It’s just par for the course.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I started out in the bar world because I loved bartending and being social. I stayed here as a career because of the financial collapse of 2008. When I discovered cocktails I wanted to dive in and learn more and be creative. I think one of the things that pushed me most was a resounding message to me that I couldn’t do it. Nothing motivates me more than proving people wrong.

It was not easy. 19 years into bartending and 13 years into owning my own businesses it’s no joke! There are ups and downs and highs and lows but to me when I see people enjoying themselves in a business I own, or an event I run and reading a book I wrote, it’s all worth it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m assuming you mean NYC?

I would take them on the Staten Island Ferry and drink beers on the deck to see the statue of liberty for free.
I would take them for music and drinks at Sunny’s in Red Hook Brooklyn.
We’d go eat and drink in Sunset Park (tacos!) and Jackson Heights (everything under the sun).
We’d go to MOMA and then go get a martini at the Modern.
We’d stay out too late and end up having french fries and martinis at Long Island Bar at midnight.
We’d drink pitchers of Margaritas on the patio at Leyenda
We’d have wine at Whoopsie Daisy.
We’d go have some nice meals at places like Gage and Tolner, Lilia, maybe even Saga.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I work with people always and it’s with people that I find success.

In Leyenda I opened it up with Christine Williams, Susan Fedroff and Julie Reiner. It wouldn’t exist without them. Speed Rack I started with Lynnette Marrero. Fiasco! and Whoopsie Daisy I do with Conor McKee and Piper Kristensen. Team work makes the dream work!

I think it’s because I’m an identical twin. I work best with others.

Website: ivymix.com leyendabk.com whoopsiedaisybk.com fiascobk.com

Instagram: @ivymix @leyendabk @whoopsiedaisybar @fiascobk