Merlin Griffiths

Speaker / Host

First Dates barman Merlin Griffiths has been a Bartender and Mixologist for more than 20 years. Instantly recognisable as the man tasked with warming the First Daters up, he serves them drinks and chats, putting them at ease. The King of Cocktails has worked all over the world including India, the USA and Canada. When speaking Merlin shares some of the most hilarious anecdotes from the various series, along with entertaining and little known facts about the world’s most famous cocktails. Merlin is also in high demand for Meet and Greets and providing corporate cocktail sessions. These are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to pre dinner drinks.

To book Merlin Griffiths for your next event, contact us today.

We absolutely loved having Merlin for our event! I think what we were all amazed by was that despite being such a well-known figure, he put in three solid hours behind the bar, not to mention arriving so early to meticulously set up. It was an absolute pleasure to have him, he was charming, polite, friendly and hard working.
Beverley Racecourse

Expertise

Awards Presenters and Event Hosts

Read more about Merlin Griffiths

Merlin grew up in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, and was educated at Pate’s Grammar School. He used to own The Priory Tavern, in Kilburn, north-west London and now owns the Malsters in Badby, Northants.

He has one child with partner Lucile who Merlin, a keen cyclist, met at a cocktail competition more than a decade ago. Lucile and Merlin took over The Priory Tavern in 2010, taking influences from classic British pub food and their time working in Canada and America. The couple’s pub won Regional Cellar Keeper of the Year in 2015.  The Malsters sits on Badby Villlage Green and he and Lucile have just spent the last six months renovating it into a charming pub and restaurant.

He has appeared in First Dates since series one in June 2013 and Channel 4 are currently airing series ten. It is a hugely popular TV show, series 11 is in the bag and they are about to film series 12