Matt Whiley’s Journey From Cricket Pitches to Cocktail Bars

Mixologist and bar pioneer Matt Whiley shares how his passion, resilience, and mentorship have shaped his success in the fast-paced world of hospitality and zero-waste bars.

Image: Matt Whiley, courtesy of Matt Whiley.
Words by Tracey Cheung.

With a list of achievements that can take a few minutes to get through, and in an industry that comes with volatility, physical hard work and long hours, you would expect renowned mixologist Matt Whiley to have encountered many physical and mental challenges along the way.

 However, you can quickly sense Whiley's resilience, positive mindset, and humility. You can see how, among many of his accomplishments, he made it to being named the European Bartender of the Year at the Mixology Awards in 2019. He opened the world's first zero-waste bar, RE, and is now a consultant and mentor to many in the industry.

PASSION FOR WHAT YOU DO
Whiley has handled multiple creative projects and roles over the years and he says it’s his passion for his work that has helped him thrive despite the challenges.

For others with a similar passion for hospitality, he talks from his experience, about the creative freedom they can look forward to.

"I use the word "work" loosely because I don't see it as work—it's rewarding and fun,” Whiley says. “I've gotten to the point in my career where I can enjoy things, whereas when you're starting, there's pressure, long hours, and you don't get to pick the jobs you do so much as when you've progressed and had time in the industry."

STRONG MINDSET
Whiley says his internal drive and competitiveness within himself have been critical to his success.

"I love to see improvement in things. For example, when I’m making drinks, I always believe everything can be made better, but nothing is perfect. You continue to make it as best as you possibly can, or you have to make it better. 

"Venues that thrive at the top of their game are always tweaking, improving and adding new things to constantly push themselves to be better. I don't ever believe that you 100 percent nail hospitality because it all changes so quickly."

Whiley believes the best way to improve is to embrace and learn from failure. "Even if you're constantly experiencing success, you still have to see your weaknesses and learn from them."

His earlier career as a professional cricket player has helped him adapt well to the ever-changing, fast-paced nature of the industry, which he describes as never permanent. It trained him to detach from failures and successes and just move on to the next thing.

"Every single day in hospitality is a challenge and not the same. That's something that I also loved about playing cricket, the challenge is different every single day."

As well as keeping up with food and drink trends, external factors such as COVID and now the economic environment have thrown curveballs at many hospitality venues, including Whiley's RE bar, which he has had to relocate to another location in Sydney due to post-COVID changes in the location it was in.

"RE has been the most challenging venue I've ever opened," he says.

But again, his passion and belief in his work have kept him resilient and he is now working on continuing the bar in another location. "I truly believe our product was exceptional and that RE needs to exist."

SUPPORT FROM OTHERS AROUND YOU
Building a strong support network and fostering open collaboration have been pivotal to Whiley’s success, both in his career and mentoring others.

"It's important that the support network you pick and the team you employ are like-minded—they have to see your vision," Whiley says.

He says that acknowledging when you need help and asking for it is something he did a lot while building his career. "People are very open to helping; it's about asking the right way. And this includes people external to the industry who can also be very helpful.”

Whiley believes it's important that people are approachable to level the playing field and treat everyone like they want to be treated and he strives to do this in his own mentoring of others. "When I'm in the bars, everyone has an equal voice. No one's more or less important. I don't believe in hierarchies."

He says this philosophy around equality came from his time playing cricket. "There were always senior professionals around who wanted to sit and give you time and impart knowledge. I think that's important, and it's something that's always stuck with me."

In the fast-paced and demanding world of hospitality, Matt Whiley’s journey is testament to resilience, passion and the power of a strong support network. Through embracing challenges, learning constantly and fostering collaboration, he’s managed to thrive in an intense industry.

Whiley’s success serves as an inspiring reminder that in hospitality, as in life, it’s not just about talent—it’s about teamwork, growth and the drive to not be perfect, but be better.