Ink Conversation: "Inspired and Ambitious" with Romony from Rosellas

Rosellas' bartender, Romony, sits down with Ink’s general manager, Harriet, to discuss all things bartending, industry trends, and the slowly changing landscape in this traditionally male-dominated field.

For Romony, it all started at Rosellas bar in Burleigh. She was studying, and this bar was her favourite haunt on the coast. She soon landed a job there as a casual waitress, unfamiliar and curious about the bartending world. Eventually, she began making drinks. "When I started working here, I didn’t even know how to make a vodka soda."

Fast forward a couple of years later, through learning from her colleagues, she is now well and truly experienced in the field.

"I feel like my career is a love letter to this place."

Every little bit of this place feels nostalgic to Romony. Growing up in this country and spending more time in Rosellas, she noticed all these old little things that reminded her of being a kid. The Australian nostalgia in the cocktails and the ambiance of the room are a few of the important elements that fuel her love for this bar.

In consideration of IWD, we ask Romony if she thinks the bar world is still a male-dominated industry or if she believes that's starting to change.

"I think hitherto it has been. When you look back at men running established venues and those big hospitality giants, it's always been very male-dominated. But what I think is amazing now, in the time we live in, is that women who have always worked in these roles are now being recognized for being just as creative and business-savvy. I don’t know if it’s a post-Covid world or maybe it's just time and people are finally realizing. But the shift in viewpoint, realizing that women are just as capable, and we're able to step into these roles."

Harriet explains one thing she believes is stopping women from entering hospitality: the notion that it's not a career.

“It’s a massive misconception, you can have the most fun and fulfilling career in hospitality.”

Harriet goes on to ask Romony what advice she would give girls and women who are looking to get into a career in hospitality or may think that there isn't one for them.

"It's about nurturing whatever your interests and passions are. For me, I really enjoy being a creative person. I also love people and I love a chat, so it’s about realizing that all those things are available. You're not sitting at a desk all day or just standing behind a bar kicking people out like 'next!' There's so much more to it, and it’s such a rewarding industry. You get to meet people that you would have never met in normal walks of life."

In terms of the Gold Coast hospitality scene and Rosellas being located in the heart of the coast, Harriet asked Romony how the scene is changing and what direction it's heading in.

“That's such a big question. I think at the moment it's a little bit challenging. It's facing a lot of challenges like staffing shortages and the cost-of-living crisis, which makes it harder for people to justify going out and having those big nights at their favourite bars. Then you've got things like the GC tram being built, which is putting a massive strain on small businesses. So, I think all those things combined make it often feel quite challenging, but on the other side of it, there's this massive swing. We have these little venues that are emerging more frequently now and doing incredible stuff. For me, when I grew up here, there were the surf club or Surfers Paradise. The evolution is incredible, so I’d say it’s inspired and ambitious."

Harriet asks one final, serious question.

“What drink trend do you wish would magically disappear?

Romony - “Spicy margaritas.”

Harriet - “Cheers to International Women’s Day!”

For more information on the IWD2024 movement, head to www.internationalwomensday.com