Guts & Glory: Bold creations lead to glorious cocktail delights

Mo Kaba, who originally comes from Ivory Coast and grew up in Paris, is a man of action and has realized his lifelong dream with Guts & Glory. After stops in Frankfurt, Vienna, and Tokyo, it is the small details, attention to detail, and above all, passion for the bartending profession that set his bar apart.

The boxing motto "No guts – no glory" was the inspiration behind Mo's bar: upon entering, guests are captivated by the illuminated arena where the bartenders perform their craft. 

As in a boxing match, guests have the opportunity to sit on three sides and watch the bartenders at work. During his many travels, it was Japan in particular that fascinated and influenced Mo Kaba the most: "When you watch the bartenders there, it's as if they live in a completely different world behind the bar. Everything runs automatically for them, almost meditatively," says Mo, describing their work in Japan. He took a lot from this himself: every process is perfect, everything has its place, and every bartender has the opportunity to make the most of their position. 

Unusual cocktail variations with vinegar, cigar notes, and more—at Guts & Glory in Karlsruhe

Mo Kaba and his team of eight follow the Japanese concept of "Ichi-go ichi-e," which means "one time, one meeting" or "one encounter, one opportunity," and the owner is just the same: guests and their well-being are his top priority, and he wants them to enjoy a unique experience in his bar—no wonder he was named Best Host in the 2016 Mixology Shortlist.

The "laboratory," as Mo affectionately calls it, is located in the basement of the bar and is where the creative owner works his magic. "I choose an ingredient, then think about what it might go well with and keep trying until I get the perfect result," he explains. Nothing is too unusual, from apple cider vinegar to sake with Williams pear to cocktails with a hint of cigar – the important thing is always the three components of sweet, sour, and spirit, which together create the final symbiosis.

Vermouth, gin, port wine, or sake—Kaba's team loves to experiment and regularly changes the menu, so every visit to Mo and his team offers new cocktail highlights.

Cocktail workshop at Guts & Glory in Karlsruhe 

For those who would like to take a look behind the bar counter, the team offers a very special workshop. In "Be a bartender," participants learn everything about the perfect cocktail, but also what it means to be a bartender. Bartenders Victor and Chicco, as well as Mo himself, offer exciting insights and little anecdotes from their everyday lives.

Further information about Guts & Glory is available on the website and on Instagram.