Bloom Bar founders Kofi Adjei Maafo and Keith Edem Aweke have decades of collective experience in the experiential hospitality space. Kofi gained his Executive MBA from the University of Ghana in August 2014 and is currently slated to enroll in Cornell University in 2022 to receive his Executive Masters in Hospitality Management. A lifelong entrepreneur, he has prioritized contributing to the business development of Ghana and Africa, working across industries including agriculture, fitness, and of course, hospitality since 2011.
Keith Edem Aweke gained his marketing and hospitality experience in New York, graduating from NY Bartending School in 2015, and the Institute of Culinary Education with a diploma in Culinary Management in August 2017. He has worked across hospitality and bartending industries in NY and Ghana since 2015, and is an expert mixologist. He will also enroll in Cornell in 2022 to gain his Executive Masters in Hospitality Management. In 2019, Keith and Kofi founded Blue Chip Hospitality Group, a holding company managing subsidiary groups in Ghana and beyond.
The duo combined Kofi’s passion for experiential creative direction and ideating innovative business solutions with Keith’s expertise in conceptualizing perfect cocktails and menus, and centering the joy of each customer with every interaction. They wanted to bring a high-level bar to Ghana that drew on their global experience while reflecting the rich spirit and culture of Accra. They envisioned a business that could grow with the city and create career opportunities and growth within their hyperlocal market, in an industry that had not always been taken seriously as a career path.
Now, a cultural phenomenon with a loyal audience and nearly 40K followers across digital platforms, Bloom Bar has inspired the next generation of Ghanaian entrepreneurs to pursue sectors that may seem like a risk. “This industry has always existed. But the issue was, how people perceived it. Now the next generation of bars opening has an understanding that you don’t just come into this to make drinks - you need to make an impact, on the lives of the people you employ, and through the quality of service you provide.” To date, Bloom Bar has been nominated for three categories at the GEM Hospitality Awards, taking home “Best Night Life” and “Best Game Changer.” They are looking to open a new location in Labbone, Accra, with details to come.
