Hospitality

INSIDE HAWKERBOI’S APPROACH TO MODERN MIXOLOGY

Published

3 months ago

June 24, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Exclusive interview with Maria Jose (MJ) Urmeneta, Bar Manager, Hawkerboi

You’ve done 15+ international takeovers across cities like Milan, Berlin, Singapore, and Marrakech, what’s one ingredient or technique that surprised you in a local bar culture?

One of the things I love the most about travelling is seeing how different cultures approach flavour in drinks. During a takeover in Marrakech, I was amazed by the way local ingredients, such as how preserved lemons and orange blossom were mixed with spices and used with incredible restraint. There was a real emphasis on balance and aromatics, allowing ingredients to express themselves naturally.

In Singapore, I was equally impressed by the level of precision and applied to fermentation and clarification techniques. Bartenders there are constantly pushing boundaries while remaining deeply respectful of local flavours and traditions. Those experiences reminded me that innovation doesn’t always mean adding more complexity. Sometimes it is about refining a process until every element serves a purpose. That’s something I’ve carried into my own work and continue to explore at Hawkerboi.

You’ve worked from Lima to Dubai to some of the world’s best bar scenes, what’s one “bar myth” about global mixology you now completely disagree with?

A common myth is that the most successful bars are always the most technically advanced. Early in my career, I thought that innovation was primarily about equipment, rare ingredients or complex preparations. After working across different countries and bar cultures, I’ve come to realise that is not true.
The best bars in the world succeed because they create genuine connections with people. Technical excellence is important, but guests don’t return because a drink was clarified six times or prepared using the latest piece of equipment. They return because they felt something. Whether it’s a memorable flavour, a conversation with the bartender, or a sense of belonging, hospitality is what transforms a good cocktail into a great experience.

You’re known for ingredient-led creativity, what’s a “weird but works” ingredient pairing you secretly love?
When creating the last hawkerboi menu I was researching about southeast asia ingredients and found Durian was something that people love. I wanted to create something inspired in the Indonesian street food market and found they have a mixed fruit juice called Jus Buah which is made with base of durian mixed with watermelon, pineapple and mango, so I tried to replicate it in a margarita style cocktail, mixed the fruits in between fresh fruits and flavored liqueurs, then milk-punched to soften the strong aroma and flavor of the durian but keep the essence on the taste.

If Hawkerboi’s bar had a personality, how would you describe it in three words, and why?

Bold, playful, and unexpected.

Bold because the flavours are magnetic. We aren’t afraid to use ingredients or take inspiration from different culinary traditions. Every drink is designed to make an impression while remaining balanced and enjoyable.

Playful because experimentation is a huge part of our culture. We take the craft seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. There’s always an element of fun in the way we approach menu development, presentations, and guest interactions.

Unexpected because we constantly look for ways to surprise people. Whether it’s through ingredients, flavour combinations, or storytelling, we want guests to discover something they didn’t anticipate when they sit down at the bar.

How closely do you collaborate with the kitchen team to ensure food and beverage feel like one unified story?

Collaboration with the kitchen is absolutely essential. Some of the most exciting ideas come from conversations that happen outside formal menu development sessions. We regularly exchange ingredients, discuss flavour profiles, and explore how a dish and a cocktail can complement one another rather than compete for attention.

At Hawkerboi, I see the bar and kitchen as part of the same creative department. If the Chefs are experimenting with a particular ingredient, spice blend, or preparation technique, I want to understand how that could inspire a drink. Likewise, ingredients we develop behind the bar can sometimes spark ideas for the kitchen.

The goal is to create a seamless guest experience where food and drinks feel connected by a common narrative. When that happens, guests may not consciously notice the details, but they feel us throughout their meal. Those are often the experiences that stay with people long after they leave, and that’s something we’re constantly striving to achieve.

Hospitality

Stomping Grounds Marks International Coffee Day With Buy One, Get One Free Coffee and Bottomless Filter

Published

11 hours ago

September 22, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Stomping Grounds, the Aussie-owned café in Jumeirah 1, is marking International Coffee Day with an offer built around one simple idea: have another cup or three! On Thursday, 1 October 2026, guests who buy any coffee can pick one of two ways to keep going:

•Taking it away? Buy any coffee and get a second one of the same, free.
•Dining in? Enjoy bottomless filter coffee all day.

This year’s International Coffee Day is the first since the United Nations General Assembly formally recognised 1 October in March 2026, acknowledging the millions of farming households whose livelihoods depend on coffee.

“Every cup we pour started with one hardworking farmer and their family. They put in the hard yards all year, then we grind a few grams, push a couple buttons, pull a lever or two, draw a little leaf with the milk and take all the compliments, ” said Ryan Godinho, founder of Stomping Grounds. “So have another cup, ask the team where it came from, and give a quiet nod to everyone who got it here. We’ve been at this since 2015, and the best part is still seeing someone who popped in for a quick coffee settle in an hour later, second cup in hand, chatting with our team. That’s the whole idea.”

The coffee is roasted in Dubai by its partners at Specialty Batch, who have been pioneering the UAE’s specialty coffee scene since 2011 and have filled every grinder at Stomping Grounds since day one. The menu runs from its house blends through to rotating single origins and seasonal micro lots.

On the day, the filter brews will rotate through exceptional coffees from Brazil, Kenya, El Salvador and Colombia. Four countries, no passport required.

The baristas are trained, know their stuff and love a coffee chat. Guests can discover a new favourite micro lot or simply get a recommendation based on what they normally drink.

Whether you stick to your usual order, try something new or settle in for a bottomless cup of filter, it’s a good day to drink a little more and find out what you like.

About Stomping Grounds
Tucked away in Jumeirah 1, off the main roads and away from the malls, Stomping Grounds is an escape from the hustle: close enough to the water for a post coffee wander, far enough from the traffic that you can actually hear yourself think. Owner-operated since opening in 2015, it has a warm, rustic vibe, a menu built for people who properly enjoy eating, and an exceptional coffee programme roasted locally by Specialty Batch. It’s pet-friendly, so four-legged regulars are welcome too, and the team are switched on hospo professionals who care about the details, from the first coffee of the morning to the last plate out of the kitchen.

There’s plenty of free parking nearby, which makes life that much easier. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, a quick cuppa, a laptop session, or one of those “I’ll just pop in for a coffee” visits that somehow turns into brunch. Happens to the best of us.

Terms:
Valid Thursday, 1 October 2026 only, during opening hours. Takeaway: one free coffee per coffee purchased; the free coffee must be the same drink, same size, and
is served on the same visit. Bottomless filter coffee is for dine-in guests only and runs all day with any coffee purchase. Cannot be combined with other offers. While coffee stocks last.

Details
Location: Villa 98, 12D Street (corner of 51st Street), Jumeirah 1, Dubai | Phone: +971 4 344 4451 | Hours: Monday-Thursday: 7:30am to 8pm; Friday-Sunday: 7:30am to 11pm | Instagram: instagram.com/stompinggroundsdxb | Website: stompinggrounds.me

Hospitality

Tbilisi Youth Art Market is launching its first exhibition project in Tbilisi

Published

13 hours ago

September 22, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

TYAM – Tbilisi Youth Art Market is launching its first exhibition project in Tbilisi. The project brings together emerging and independent artists, galleries, collectors, cultural institutions, and international experts from the art world.

The event will take place from September 25–27, 2026, at the National Palace of Youth, on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi. TYAM is a new platform created to support young and independent artists, increase their visibility, and establish connections with the broader art market.

The first edition brings together artists working in Georgia and abroad under the theme “COEXISTENCE.” The concept reflects the meeting of different generations, artistic practices, perspectives, and approaches within one shared creative space.

The programme includes an Art Market section, public and panel discussions featuring international guests, opportunities for professional networking and the development of an artistic network, as well as a special VIP programme. TYAM aims to become a new point of attraction for Georgia’s and the international creative community, connecting artists with collectors, galleries, institutions, and the wider public.

TYAM 2026, September 25–27, 2026
National Palace, Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi, Georgia
Tbilisi Youth Art Market

Hospitality

COFFEE PLANET CELEBRATES SAUDI NATIONAL DAY WITH A TRIBUTE TO THE STORIES, MEMORIES AND PRIDE OF THE KINGDOM

Published

15 hours ago

September 22, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

This Saudi National Day, Coffee Planet is inviting customers to celebrate the Kingdom through the memories, messages and everyday moments that make it feel like home.

As part of the celebrations on 23 September, Coffee Planet cafés in Hail and King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Riyadh, will be dressed for the occasion with Saudi flags and National Day decorations, creating a festive setting for customers to enjoy with friends and family.

At the centre of the celebration will be a Memory Board, where customers can leave a short message sharing their feelings, memories or pride for Saudi Arabia. The initiative will bring together personal reflections from visitors throughout the celebrations, creating a collective expression of what the Kingdom means to the people who live, work and spend time here.

Customers will also be invited to enjoy complimentary coffee and a dessert, adding to the relaxed National Day experience and giving visitors another reason to pause, gather and celebrate together.

The activation will take place at Garden Mall in Hail and KAFD in Riyadh, two locations that reflect the brand’s growing presence in the Kingdom.

For Coffee Planet, the National Day celebration is a natural extension of the role its cafés play in bringing people together, whether over a morning coffee, a catch-up with friends or a shared moment with family.

“Saudi National Day is about celebrating the Kingdom and the people who make it what it is,” said Allan Jones, Founder and Chairman of Coffee Planet. “We wanted to create an experience that gives our customers a chance to share their own memories and feelings of pride, while enjoying a simple moment together over coffee. It is a small gesture, but one that reflects the warmth and connection at the heart of the occasion.”

With Saudi Arabia’s coffee culture continuing to evolve, Coffee Planet has seen growing demand for premium specialty coffee and café experiences across the Kingdom.

“Saudi National Day is a proud moment for all of us at HB Brands and an opportunity to celebrate the Kingdom’s remarkable journey, its people, and its ambitions for the future,” said Abdullah Ihlaiel, Group Marketing & Business Development Director, HB Brands. “As Coffee Planet continues to grow in Saudi Arabia, our focus is not only on expanding the brand’s presence, but on building a meaningful connection with the communities we serve. We are proud to be part of this journey and to celebrate this special occasion together with our customers across the Kingdom.”

The celebration reflects the spirit of Saudi National Day 2026 and its theme, ‘Our Pride is in Our Nature’, while giving customers an opportunity to mark the occasion in a way that feels personal, social and rooted in community.