The world of cocktails has a unique storyteller, and his name is Tariq Widarso, the founder and content creator of Sip Sensei, a social media platform dedicated to bars and cocktails across the globe. Hailing from Indonesia, Tariq’s story is as fascinating as the intricate drinks he showcases. His journey started with one life-changing sip—a whiskey sour variation in 2014. This discovery sparked his passion for mixology and a desire to share the culture and craft behind cocktails with the world.

After finishing university, Tariq delved deeper into this interest, turning it into a content creation career. What began as an Instagram page, taking photos of bartenders and their creations, soon grew into the widely-recognised Sip Sensei. Today, he’s not just documenting cocktails; he’s helping shape the cocktail culture in Indonesia and beyond, inspiring others to elevate their experiences with his creativity and flair.

What inspired you to go behind the scenes of the cocktail industry?

TW: It all started when I was in university in 2014. I had a variation of a whiskey sour, and that experience completely changed my perspective on alcohol. I realised that alcohol could actually taste good, which sparked my fascination with cocktails. I’ve been on this journey ever since, and in 2017, I took a deep dive into mixology and bar culture. That’s when Sip Sensei was born—what started as an Instagram page, where I posted photos of bars, cocktails, and bartenders, has now grown into a platform that reaches a larger audience.

What is your speciality within the cocktail industry?

TW: My speciality is content creation, especially in photography and videography. I’ve been refining my skills in cocktail and bar photography for the past seven years. But beyond the technical side, I think my real strength lies in my ability to share the stories of bartenders and bars in a way that’s easy for a larger audience to understand and appreciate.

How is Indonesia’s bar culture evolving?

TW: Indonesia’s bar culture has been growing, especially after the pandemic. Before, people mostly bought bottles and made simple drinks. But now, everyone seems to know what a Negroni or an Old Fashioned is. The two main hubs of bar culture in Indonesia are Jakarta, the capital, and Bali, our biggest tourist city. While our bar scene is still behind some of our neighbouring countries, there’s a lot of potential, and I’m excited to see how it grows over the next few years.

How do Jakarta and Bali differ in terms of bar culture?

TW: There’s definitely a difference. Jakarta, being the capital, follows more of an Indonesian drinking pattern, while Bali is a tourist hub with a lot of expats and visitors constantly coming and going. Bali’s scene is more laid-back and tropical, while Jakarta’s is more metropolitan. Each has its own style, but both show tremendous potential for growth.

What are your aspirations for the future?

TW: My goal is to help the bar and cocktail scene grow, both in Indonesia and across Asia. We have some powerhouse markets like Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea, but countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines have a lot of untapped potential. I want to use my photography and content creation to bring more exposure to these emerging markets and help them grow.

What kind of opportunities will help you reach your goals?

TW: Travel has been one of the best opportunities for me. In the past year, I’ve been able to travel to places like Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, Korea, and Japan. Travelling allows me to see the bar culture in person and experience it firsthand, which makes it much easier to share these stories with a larger audience. It’s not always easy or affordable, but it’s essential for my work.

What excites you most about Bar Convent Singapore 2025?

TW: My first experience at BCB Singapore was amazing. I got to connect with so many people and see a wide range of brands. I’m looking forward to the next BCB Singapore because it’s going to be on a larger scale, with even more opportunities to meet new people, attend seminars, and participate in workshops. It’s an event that really brings the Asian bar community together, and I’m excited to be part of it again.

Join Tariq Widarso at Bar Convent Singapore 2025

Excited to see and learn about what’s next in the cocktail world? Don’t miss Bar Convent Singapore 2025, happening on March 3-4, 2025, at Marina Bay Sands. It’s the place to be if you want to explore, connect, and experience the vibrant bar scene that’s shaping Asia’s cocktail future. See you there!