The BURO Impact Awards celebrates the creativity, originality, passion, and accomplishments of Malaysia’s trailblazing talents. Ahead, find our conversation with our Bartender of the Year, Thanesh Joel.
With the year that Thanesh Joel has had, it seems as though he had ordered for it to be shaken and stirred. The Operations Manager at Backdoor Bodega, this decorated bartender has become one of the most recognisable faces in Malaysian mixology. He started his career on the polar opposite end of the industry: in the kitchen training as a chef. While a life behind the stove is officially off the cards for now, Joel hasn’t left behind the grit and creativity it takes to succeed in this food, service, and hospitality industry as a whole.
In this year alone, he has become an integral voice in Penang’s choir of spokespeople. He, along with other members of the George Town cocktail community, has dedicated his menus and creations to the flavours that have put this island on the map. Case in point: one of his signature cocktails, Pearl of the Orient, named after the city itself. He brings this spirited (pun intended) conviction to every competition he takes part in local or international. Most notably, he was named the Campari Red Hands 2025 Malaysia Champion. As for team wins, Backdoor Bodega also smashed onto the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 51-100 list for 2025, coming in at #64. At just 26 years old, Joel has achieved what many much older than him have yet to brag about.
This year was also one of tremendous growth outside the bar. Joel went from missing countless flights during international work trips in the years prior to a grand total of none! All jokes and airport no-shows aside, we can all agree that he’s only going upwards from here. Though cliché to say, his drinks do indeed tell stories, whether they be of his heritage, his hometown, or his heart—sprinkled with a sense of humour. Each sip of a Thanesh-made or Backdoor Bodega cocktail is one of meaning and soul. That being said, we are grateful to be able to recognise his work so early in his career as our Bartender of the Year 2025. To dive deeper into his work and personality, we presented him with a questionnaire—seen below—for your entertainment.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Representing Backdoor Bodega on the world’s stage.
What is your most treasured possession?
A necklace my grandma gave me when I was a baby. I’m still wearing it today!
Which talent would you most like to have?
Perfect pitch.
Who are your heroes in real life?
The people who believed in me and brought me up to be the individual that I am today.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Coming back home after a long day to my favourite binge series and my favourite dish in front of me—all with nothing on my to do list tomorrow.
What is your greatest fear?
Losing.
On what occasion do you lie?
When I don’t feel confident about something, I lie to myself that I can do it. And it has worked out almost 99 percent of the time! *Laughs*
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My family.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
I don’t know, but definitely not a butterfly.
Where would you most like to live?
I’m already there! No town like George Town!!
What do you most value in your friends?
Genuineness.
What is your motto?
Passion dies, perseverance survives.
CREDITS
Editor-In-Chief / JASON LIM. Creative Direction and Styling / SARAH TAI. Text and Interview / AMANDA FUNG. Styling Assisted by / BENEDICT UNANG. Art Direction Assisted by / EVE LYN LAU. Photography / HERRY CHIA EE | HERRY STUDIO ASSISTED BY DAVID ONG & SAMANTHA JANE. Videography / DENNIS KHO ASSISTED BY LEON WONG. Makeup / JENN TEH. Hair / MAY WOO FOR SCHWARZKOPF PROFESSIONAL.
Follow Thanesh on Instagram here. Find the full list of BURO Impact Awards winners here.
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