Athens, city of art, philosophy and history. Today, we have the chance to meet Babis Kaidalidis, a true cocktail philanthropist, promoter of Greek and Cypriot bar culture around the world. A man that shows us that one of the most ancient city in the world still has its weight on today’s culture.
Babis e Kiki
First of all, tell us who you are and what’s your job.
Babis Kaidalidis founder and Managing Director of Bar Academy Greece and Athens Bar Show.
Coming to the COVID-19 crisis, how did you react humanly, psychologically at the spread of the virus and the consequent lockdown?
I think like all rational people, at first I couldn’t believe that we will really do it (lockdown), then I had a stressful period about what is coming and thinking what will happen in the future, then I accepted the fact that we have to live with the pandemic for a few months or maybe years. The only important thing is to stay safe and healthy and try to help your people (family, friends, employees, coworkers) to stay safe and healthy.
Could you describe how is the bar scene of your country changed after the COVID-19 crisis?
I don’t think that the crisis is over yet. We are going to need at least 6month to a year to rebound from this crisis after we have the vaccine or we put the pandemic under control. Some of the changes I noticed in many bars is that bars really become creative with the way they can adopt to the new way of working. A lot of bars started take away and bottle cocktails and delivery programs, programs I believe will remain as option for clients after the pandemic. We (bar businesses) actually created a new market for hospitality business which I think will evolve in to a big source of revenue for hospitality business in the future, taking market shares from retail business. We have the expertise to develop great value for our guest and make them happier not only in our bars but also when they choose to stay home with friend and family. I also noticed that bars in city centers had an almost catastrophic impact, many bars didn’t open which wasn’t the case for the suburban areas. Even in the islands during high season people choose to stay away from city centers. I believe that we are still changing and till the end of pandemic we (bar industry) will continue to adopt to this unpredictable era.
Babis e Kiki
In your opinion, how will it change in the future?
I think our industry where built on good foundations and things that make sense to our guest. For that reason I do not think that a lot of things will change. I wish our hospitality will keep all the valuable people & great professionals which is the most important thing for us to recover, many will loose faith and leave the hospitality business for ever so I hope they won’t be so many to change the landscape. I believe that after the crisis only the people who love this business will stay and the opportunists or those who where only for the money will give up for other “easier” businesses or professions. I think that take away/delivery will become a big revenue stream but it will not impact of the regular business of bars.
I believe the market is mature to start associations and trade unions which will really works as for this crisis I think we didn’t do well at lease in Greece. I believe our industry (and all the society) will be more humanitarian, with companion and support for each other.
Could you suggest five bars in your country?
The Clumsies (Athens), A for Athens (Athens), CV distiller (Athens) Scorpios (Mykonos), Grooove (Volos).
