As a self-taught bartender, Koh Yung Shen has achieved what many can only dream of with his speakeasy. He was named Giffard West Cup 2022 Asia Champion while his bar, Backdoor Bodega, made it into Asia’s 50 Best Bars’ 51-100 list. It's the first time that a Penang bar has appeared on the international list.

The pandemic forced the former copywriter and designer to be creative, and he created imaginative bottled cocktails named after Covid-19 vaccines. Available for delivery, they went viral on social media and were a great source of comfort for many who were stuck at home.

Koh hopes to see Penang’s bar scene grow in stature, just like how the Unesco Heritage Site's street food is internationally renowned.