Kazuo Ueda was born in Hokkaido, Japan in 1944.

In 1966, he graduated from the Tokyo Bartender School, and gained his first experience as a professional bartender working for the Tokyo Kaikan.

In 1974, he started working for Bar L'osieur of the Shiseido Parlor as the Managing Chief Bartender.

From 1980 until 1986 he won many cocktail competitions, participating in not only numerous national competitions but also representing Japan twice at the World Competition of the I.B.A. (International Bartender's Association). He is widely regarded as the top bartender in all of Japan.

Since 1994, as President of the C.C.S. (Cocktail Communication Society), he has played an instrumental role in helping spread the popularity and culture of social drinking along with elevating the status of the bartending profession within Japan.

Since 1997, Kazuo Ueda has been the head bartender for the Ginza Tender, which he also owns and manages.

Original cocktails include City Coral, Pure Love, Fantastic Leman, Tokio, Kings Valley, M-30 Rain, etc.