W Maldives Welcomes Award-Winning Mixologist Beckaly Franks
Sunday 29th of June 2025
This July, W Maldives is turning up the flavor and flair as award-winning mixologist Beckaly Franks arrives for a one-of-a-kind bar takeover. Part of the resort’s Island Alchemy series, the experience celebrates global mixology talent and promises bold cocktails with unforgettable island energy.
Franks brings her trailblazing spirit and genre-defying drinks to the Maldives, delivering “an experience that’s equal parts spectacle and substance,” as described by the resort.
Known for breaking boundaries in the bar world, Franks is the co-founder of The Pontiac in Hong Kong, which held a place on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for seven consecutive years. She also launched the Hungry Ghost group and popular venues like Call Me AL and ARTIFACT. In 2023, Franks became the second woman to win the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award—recognized for her “fearless creativity, inclusive ethos, and magnetic presence behind the bar.”
“At the heart of every great cocktail is a story—and this one’s set on a postcard-perfect island,” said Franks. “W Maldives has this incredible energy that mirrors what I love about mixology: it’s immersive, unexpected, and made for people who want to feel something. I can’t wait to have my world collide with the destination.”
Her takeover begins with two exclusive guest shifts at SIP on July 24 and 25, where she’ll serve a mix of signature favorites and bespoke cocktails crafted just for the island. On July 27, the action moves to the WET Deck, W Maldives’ noon-to-moon social hub, for a day of poolside cocktails, sensory storytelling, and barefoot glamor under the sun.
“This is more than a bar takeover—it’s a meeting of minds, a celebration of mastery, and a moment to connect with the spirit of W Maldives,” said Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives. “We are proud to welcome Beckaly as part of our Island Alchemy series and continue offering our guests experiences that are anything but ordinary.”
Island Alchemy is W Maldives’ signature mixology program, designed to spotlight innovators and tastemakers who bring something original to the table. With Beckaly Franks leading this edition, the series toasts to women reshaping the global cocktail scene—where craft, character, and creativity collide.