Behind the Bar with Morgan Styers of Chief’s: Craft, Creativity, and Courage
The hum of a busy bar holds a certain kind of magic. Glasses clink, conversations blend into a low hum, and at the center of it all stands the bartender—the person who brings the night together one cocktail at a time. For Morgan Styers of Chief’s, that role is more than a job. It’s a calling rooted in creativity, resilience, and a passion for connecting with people.
As one of the featured competitors in this year’s Battle of the Babes Cocktail Competition, Morgan brings more than a decade of experience, a strong sense of artistry, and a deeply personal inspiration for her craft. Her story is one of persistence, playfulness, and the transformative power of hospitality.
A Journey Through Hospitality
Morgan’s career began 12 years ago, weaving her way through nearly every position in the industry—host, barista, expo, server, barback, and even a brief stint as a fry cook. Nine years ago, she found her true love behind the bar.
“I was always drawn to cocktails,” she explains. “My parents gave me a more well-rounded liquor education than most people have at 21, and I immediately fell in love with how artistic and creative cocktails could be. It’s a little like making magic potions for a living.”
This idea of cocktails as potions says a lot about Morgan’s approach to bartending. For her, the act of making drinks is equal parts performance, creativity, and comfort—a way to craft experiences that touch not just the palate but also the imagination.
Fun Facts You’d Never Guess
Hospitality professionals are often full of surprises, and Morgan is no exception. While her cocktails may be whimsical, her hobbies and background are even more unexpected. She’s a dedicated Pokémon collector and also holds a full-stack coding degree, a skill she jokingly credits to her time customizing MySpace pages.
The mix of playful and practical speaks volumes about her personality—grounded, curious, and always ready to take on a challenge.
A Cocktail Style All Her Own
When asked to describe her cocktail style in three words, Morgan chose accessible, whimsical, and secretly-very-boozy.
Her love for tiki drinks stands out. Tiki, she explains, offers incredible depth and versatility. While the style is often associated with fruit-forward refreshers, Morgan appreciates its ability to stretch across the spectrum—bitter, floral, savory, or spirit-forward. “There’s so much room to play,” she says, noting that her time working at a tiki bar deepened her appreciation for its complexity.
For Morgan, inspiration often comes from unexpected places. She thrives when challenged, whether by unusual flavor requests from guests or by her own curiosity to try something new. “There’s nothing more exciting than being stumped and creating something delicious you’d never have thought of before,” she says.
A Competition Cocktail with Heart
At this year’s Battle of the Babes, Morgan will be putting locally sourced products at the forefront. “North Carolina is rich in resources and incredible brands,” she says. “There’s nothing like using what’s around us.”
But her cocktail carries more than just local pride—it holds personal meaning. Inspired by her parents, who first introduced her to the world of spirits and nurtured her creativity, Morgan crafted her competition drink as a tribute to them. In the last two years, both were diagnosed with cancer, and their journey has shaped the way she approaches her craft.
“They never stopped being my inspiration,” she shares. “This cocktail was created for them.”
It’s a drink that embodies not just flavor but love, resilience, and gratitude. Guests at the competition can expect a cocktail that’s layered with complexity and heart. “I hope people feel how passionate I am about my craft,” she says. “I hope it’s exciting, new, and makes some part of them feel full.”
Women in Hospitality: Challenges and Triumphs
Hospitality has always relied heavily on women, though recognition hasn’t always followed. Morgan is proud to be part of a movement that’s shifting those dynamics. “Hospitality has been quietly powered by women for as long as it’s existed,” she says. “It’s absolutely badass to be part of the rebellion that is being a woman in a male-dominated space.”
Still, challenges exist. From navigating difficult guests to working in environments that can sometimes feel unsafe, women in hospitality face unique hurdles. Yet for Morgan, bartending has been empowering. It has taught her confidence, resilience, and the importance of community.
“The coolest and most empowering thing in the world is seeing how hard women look out for one another in public,” she explains. That sense of solidarity, combined with the grit of handling uncomfortable situations with grace, is part of what makes her proud to be a woman in this industry.
Inspiration from a Village
When asked who inspires her, Morgan doesn’t hesitate: her family, her coworkers, and the women in her life who have taught her to be unapologetically herself. From her parents and sister to her team at Chief’s, she’s surrounded by people who demonstrate daily that strength lies in kindness, teamwork, and vulnerability.
For Morgan, hospitality isn’t just about cocktails—it’s about creating spaces where people feel welcome, valued, and connected. That’s the true heart of her craft.
Why Stories Like Morgan’s Matter for Businesses and Consumers
For consumers, mixologists like Morgan remind us that a cocktail is never “just a drink.” It’s a work of art, a conversation starter, and sometimes a tribute to deeply personal stories. Supporting local bars and bartenders helps sustain a community of artists who put care and imagination into everything they create.
For businesses, her story underscores the importance of empowering staff to experiment, tell their stories, and build connections with guests. A great cocktail program doesn’t just increase revenue—it fosters loyalty, strengthens community ties, and sets venues apart in a competitive market.
HoCo’s Role in Championing Hospitality
Behind events like Battle of the Babes is HoCo, an organization dedicated to helping hospitality businesses thrive. HoCo bridges the gap between creativity and execution by supporting venues with consulting, event production, and marketing strategies. Their commitment to creating opportunities for women and diverse voices ensures that stories like Morgan’s continue to inspire the industry.
Celebrate with Us at Battle of the Babes
The Battle of the Babes Cocktail Competition is back for its 5th year, and this time it’s taking place at Merchant + Trade on September 28, 2025, from 4–8 PM. Guests will enjoy eight handcrafted cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a swag bag, and a front-row seat to some of the best talent in the industry.
Morgan Styers will be among the talented mixologists competing, bringing her creativity, passion, and heartfelt inspiration to the stage. This is more than a competition—it’s a celebration of women who are reshaping the cocktail scene.
