Why choose Wolfsbane Symposium for bar consulting instead of another firm?
We’re completely transparent — when you work with us, you know exactly who you’re getting. No hand-offs to “one of our specialists”; it’s us, start to finish.
We’re not consultants who learned about bartending — we’re bar people who learned to consult. We’ve lived the late nights, the openings, the menus, and the chaos — and we still love it.
Our goal is simple: to help the bar industry thrive and play our part in keeping it moving forward.
Experience and evolution. We both dreamed of owning bars but kept saying yes to the next opportunity. Over time, we realised we’re project people at heart and like to move between venues — drawn to the buzz of start-ups, problem-solving, and creative development.
Wolfsbane Symposium became the natural next step, letting us channel that passion into helping others build and refine their own venues.
What inspired you to start Wolfsbane Symposium?
Do you always work together on consulting projects?
Yes — what began as coincidence soon became a condition for taking on new projects. We’ve worked side by side across multiple bars / clubs in Berlin and found that our strengths complement each other perfectly.
Managing or developing a bar demands a wide range of abilities, and while we each achieve strong results alone, together the outcome is always stronger — and far more efficient.
Do you offer your services only in Berlin, or also internationally?
We’re based in Berlin but always open to bar development and hospitality consulting projects abroad.
Many aspects of our work can be done remotely, depending on the scope. While we prefer to experience a venue in person — seeing how a bar actually runs is key to offering meaningful advice — we also collaborate online when travel isn’t practical.
How do you approach creativity in cocktail development and concept design?
It always starts with understanding the brief — and doing our research. From there, we look for a catalyst that creates a feeling, whether it’s nostalgia or the thrill of discovering a new flavour or experience.
Then we refine it through the lens of past experience. It’s always a balancing act: combining innovation with methods we know work.
What’s included in the initial bar consulting session?
The initial consultation is all about getting to know your bar and your goals. We’ll talk through your current situation and outline how we’d structure our support if you decide to work with us.
It’s also where we set priorities and map out a clear path forward together.
How much does bar development or consulting cost?
Every project is different — its own mix of scale, goals, and challenges — and that deserves its own conversation.
We believe in being transparent and will always outline costs clearly before any work begins.
While most firms keep pricing hidden, we prefer to be upfront — and at least give an idea of a starting price for work so you know right away whether we’re the right fit for your budget and goals.
How long does a typical bar consulting project take?
It depends on the size and scope of the project. The hands-on work itself usually varries between a few days to a few weeks.
What often adds time are the creative stages — decision-making, testing, and refinements that make the final result feel right. But as with everything, sometimes everything just clicks immmediately.
Can you help with staff recruitment?
We can, but in most cases, your investment goes further if we train you or your management team to identify great candidates and run effective, industry-specific interviews.
Staffing requirements evolve, but building a strong foundation for recruitment and team culture will serve your business long-term.
Do you provide ongoing support after a consulting project ends?
Absolutely. Once we’ve worked together, we want you to feel comfortable reaching out — whether it’s for quick advice or a longer-term follow-up.
If it’s a short call or check-in, that’s all part of our ongoing relationship. If it becomes a larger project, we’ll revisit the brief together and agree on a new plan, scope, and timeline.
FAQ'S
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