About Empire
Innovation, from liquid outward.
The premise
Empire exists to invent better drinking experiences and build the systems around them.
Founded by Nicholas Lin and strengthened by partners across media, operations and mixology, Empire brings together business consulting, hospitality, brand-building and beverage development. That range lets us see both the sensory detail and the commercial system around it.
Founder
“The most interesting beverage work happens when craft, business and culture stop being separate conversations.”
Nicholas Lin has worked across management consulting, hospitality, F&B, product development and brand creation. Empire is the platform where those experiences meet.
The people behind Empire
Different disciplines.
One connected practice.
Empire combines strategic direction, beverage craft, operational discipline and an operator’s understanding of how drinks live in the real world.
Nicholas Lin
Connects beverage innovation with business strategy, hospitality, product development and brand-building.
Steven Long
A seasoned F&B operator and bartender who brings an operator’s eye to how beverage stories are created and communicated.
Michael Lim
A mixologist and operations specialist who turns creative beverage ideas into systems teams can execute consistently.
Tian Kai
Develops, tests and refines drinks with a focus on flavour, balance, presentation and service reality.
How we think
Curiosity before convention
We ask what the beverage needs to achieve before deciding what form it should take.
Craft must survive reality
Ideas are valuable when people can produce, serve, understand and enjoy them.
Culture creates value
The strongest drinks carry a point of view and give people something worth sharing.
One connected practice
Lab.
Bar.
System.
Story.
Empire can enter at one point or connect the entire journey from concept to culture.
Work with Empire