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Keep up to date with The Studio’s latest news, information and events.
Mailing list subscribers will also get priority access to special members only events plus early bird opportunities to view and purchase brand new artwork!
Richie, born in Norfolk, England, in 1973 has always enjoyed sketching and drawing. However, long before settling on a career as a full time artist, he studied Egyptian Archaeology at University College London, specializing in underwater archaeological photography and ancient shipwrecks. After graduating, he then worked as a photographer for major lifestyle magazines, including FHM, Loaded, Mix Mag, and DJ Mag, in 1990s London.
Continuing his career in photography he then traveled the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean as a cruise ship photographer. After several years on the ships he finally returned to London in 2000 and shifted to his new passion, cocktail bartending.
Soon after he became part of the city’s emerging cocktail scene, joining the newly opened “hush” in Mayfair, owned by the late Sir Roger Moore.
Since then, Richie has led a nomadic career in hospitality. Recognized for his creativity and training expertise, he has shaped some of the world’s top bars in Hong Kong, London, and now Saigon.
Richie moved to Saigon from Hong Kong over nine years ago to help build the city’s cocktail scene. He has designed, opened, and managed several of Saigon’s most iconic bars and restaurants. Many of the city’s top bartenders trained under him. His deep market knowledge, multi-skilled expertise, and self-taught Vietnamese make him one of Vietnam’s most sought-after bar consultants.
His clients include Six Senses, Raffles, Intercontinental Saigon, Park Hyatt, Caravelle Saigon, Shri, Sorae, Anan, Glow Sky Bar, Hyde, Macallan, Glenfiddich, Alchemy Asia, Diageo, Wink Hotels, and Savills Vietnam.
Richie’s signature city skyline sketches capture the essence of Saigon. He returns to the same street corner for days, observing and sketching the street scene. His small sketchbook is always filled with thumbnails of cyclo riders, street vendors, and other characters he encounters.
He published Cocktail Art of Saigon, a book blending cocktails, art, and history, with a special focus on the city’s street life. The book also serves as the menu at Shri Restaurant & Lounge, where it remains popular with both locals and tourists. This year, he released Volume 2, featuring 45 cocktail recipes and street sketches, marking 45 years of peace since 1975.
In April 2017, Richie opened The Studio Saigon, a hidden, invitation-only bar and gallery. He creates and showcases new artwork seasonally while crafting cocktails inspired by Vietnam’s history, using local ingredients.
His work appears in private collections worldwide and can be found throughout Saigon. Illustrated menus and permanent collections are displayed at Anan Restaurant, Wink hotels, The Park Hyatt Saigon, Savills Vietnam, RGF’s boardroom, KOTO Hanoi and Saigon, The Caravelle Saigon, Shri Restaurant, and The Studio Saigon.
Recently, Richie launched live sketch events that combine cocktails, music, and performance art. Using a GoPro, he projects his artwork live for audiences to watch as it unfolds.
As a guest artist at the Irrawaddy Literary Festival in Myanmar, he performed live art, donating all auction proceeds to the literary fund. In 2019, his artwork auctions in Vietnam and Myanmar raised over $10,000 for charity.
Richie accepts both private and commercial commissions.
Visit The Studio to see his artwork and enjoy a cocktail, where he will welcome you personally. Stay up to date on his latest projects and events via his Facebook page, The Studio Saigon
Keep up to date with The Studio’s latest news, information and events.
Mailing list subscribers will also get priority access to special members only events plus early bird opportunities to view and purchase brand new artwork!
