Clare started her career in the glamorous world of corporate hotels. She worked for Thistle Hotels for a year as bar manager. There she was responsible for over seeing four bars, and catering for some very large functions. Here she honed her organisational and management skills. She also learnt the art of stock control, which she is undoubtedly the master of!
She then moved to the independently owned Starz Bar and Restaurant in Exeter, where she got her first taste of cocktails and fell in love with spirits, but Clare is a predominantly self taught mixologist. Then in September 05 she set-up Starz Lounge Bar, designed for the cocktail lovers of the city, with a strict table service policy and chic surroundings it was the first of its kind in Exeter.
Starz then won the 'shine awards'- Best UK Retailer - beating 2600 other bars to claim first prize. She then claimed 2nd place in the 2006 Annual Southwest Cocktail competition and went on to write a monthly column for 24/7 magazine, listing her new cocktail creations.
In May 2006 she moved to Kino as assistant manager to train with Rachel Williams, Monkey Bars was born.