Each month in our new ‘A Day in The Life’ series, modern gentlemen talk to PWVC about their personal journeys, business ventures and extra-curricular activities. We’re delighted to introduce internationally renowned bartender Joe Schofield.

In the years that have seen Mr Joe Schofield rise from contemporary art student to ‘International Bartender Of The Year’, one thing remains constant: his humility.

Starting out at 16, pulling pints in his local, Joe sits at the top of his game, with a string of international awards under his belt - or apron shall we say. Today he proudly resides in his hometown following international stints at the world’s most venerable establishments, including the Tippling Club in Singapore, as the crème de la crème of bartending.

We sit down over a Martini (stirred not shaken), to discuss style choices, cocktails and the resilience of Manchester.

First things first, choosing what to wear. My dress rules are simple - I always wear a lot of dark colours including black or navy, it makes things a little bit easier in the morning getting dressed when I’m very busy. I’ve always loved macs and had a couple in my wardrobe, this PWVC Ventile® jacket is a regular. I am constantly on the move travelling overseas with work, or running between bars in Manchester in the rain, where it comes in handy. A great jacket gives me the capability of being able to carry everything I need for the day.

I always start my day off with a coffee at a bar called ATOMECA, a European drinkery based down in Deansgate Square. Then I tend to walk over to SCHOFIELD'S BAR, check over emails, make sure the set-up has been done and get the bar ready to go – it’s still quite early in the morning at this point.

If I can find the time before work, I’ll head downstairs as we’ve got a beautiful art deco swimming pool in the building here to try and get a quick swim in. Normally, I’m back here to start service around lunchtime and I’ll work all the way through to last orders at 1pm. My end of the day ritual? That’s when I tend to have a drink at the end of the bar, get myself home and straight into bed after a long day. After years of practice, I am able to fall asleep easily.

My brother Daniel and I opened on 2nd March during full lockdown, and we had to be quite adaptable and flexible as business operators into making SCHOFIELD'S BAR a success. We were able to open after 25 years of collective experience, talking about the concept with each other for ten years and working on it actively for almost three years. My proudest moment in my career was when Daniel and I shook hands and finally decided to open.

SCHOFIELD'S BAR is a classic bar that champions classic cocktails for everybody. For us we have always been enamoured by these institutional venues around the world such as Harry’s in Paris, The American Bar at the Savoy, (somewhere I was very fortunate to work). I guess that’s where we drew our inspiration from for our venture.

We have a very classic cocktail menu with 12 signature drinks that will never change but also a selection of offerings and fine wines which change seasonally.

My favourite cocktail on the menu? To be honest it changes almost every day - we just put one on called The East Eight Hold Up that myself and Daniel absolutely love. It originates from a bar in London called Milk & Honey, created by a good friend of ours. It’s Vodka, Aeperol, fresh pineapple juice, lime and a touch of passion fruit. It’s SO good.

"It was only when I revisited the city, my home city, I started to hear about Private White. I was absolutely blown away by the quality of the clothing made right here in Manchester. I quickly fell in love with the brand."

JOE SCHOFIELD, BARTENDER & OWNER OF SCHOFIELD'S BAR