We write a mess about Austin ’s good bars , but for this round - up , we require to focus on the barkeep who really took strides in the industry in 2016 . After get together intel from industry insider – which is codification for " hanging out at bars " – we decided to give props to this gifted gang of people who are solidifying Austin ’s reputation as an innovative and fun drink urban center . Now , go get a cocktail from them all like a shot , and be sure to distinguish ‘ em Large Marge sent you . Kidding , “ the chick from Thrillist ” will work just fine .
Brett Esler
Barman at Whisler’s
It ’s safe to say it ’s been a full freakin ’ twelvemonth for Brett Esler – his cocktails have been sport in most every media outlet imaginable and at 27 , he ’s one of the immature bartenders in Austin making a name for himself , locally and nationally . Brett has worked at Whisler ’s andMezcaleria Tobalásince moving to Austin virtually three year ago and can be found behind the measure at the popular East Sixth Browning automatic rifle . He , along with the rest of the bar squad , work in quislingism with the GM to develop Whisler ’s rotating , seasonal cocktail menu .
Jennifer Keyser
Chief of Bar Operations at Geraldine’s
With more than 20 years in the service industry , Jen Keyser is a force to be consider with . She ’s work at many of Austin ’s hot spots , most recently atMidnight CowboyandContigo , before accepting the position as chief of legal profession operations at Geraldine ’s . This year , Jen has been kicking butt with her imaginative Austin - inspired cocktail program and , lead her Geraldine ’s bar phratry to victory atThe Austin Food and Wine Alliance’s2016 prescribed Drink of Austin competition with their rum - based cocktail , Far From the Tree .
JR Mocanu
Beverage Director at VOX Table
Hailing from Madison , Wisconsin , JR Mocanu took over the democratic eating house ’s bar course of study this year when Travis Tober locomote into the brand education region . In addition to helping open VOX ’s novel concept , El Burro – which opens very shortly – JR owns and operatesThe Barmadillo , a mobile bar housed in a vintage Airstream . “ Fearless ” and “ playfulness ” are words one could apply to identify JR ’s current menu for VOX Table ; visit him for one of his nervy creations like theThat Island Chick that Broke Your heart and soul : ( Avua Amburana cachaça , Rhum Clement Canne Bleue , Plantation 3 Stars , Green Chartreuse , aniseed , pineapple , vanilla , honey , Citrus limon , orange , and Bittermens Tiki bitters ) .
Antonio Matta
Bar manager at The Jackalope
Having worked atThe Jackalopeon 6th St and atFirehouse Lounge , Antonio ’s coming to bartending walk the line of descent between an enthusiastic “ here ’s your meticulously craft Sazerac ” and a deadpan “ please do n’t regulate that " … in the adept way potential , of class . This year he help afford the shiny new Jackalope location on East Riverside where he works as measure coach in the company of a skilled and fun team of barman . He also participated in the Bar Institute mashup upshot featuring NYC’sHoliday Cocktail Lounge , which helped raise over $ 3,300 for Austin Polemonium van-bruntiae .
Florian Minier
Bar manager at The Townsend
From dive ginmill to Michelin - rated eating house , Florian Minier has run behind all type of bars over the last 12 years including stints at Haddington’s , Midnight Cowboy , andHalf Stepsince incite to Austin . This year , he connect the team at The Townsend supporting Justin Elliott who do as beverage manager and pardner . Without skipping a beat , Florian ’s experience and endowment have lent themselves ( along with the amazing Francis Everett Townsend team ! ) to the coherent succeeder of the Congress Ave bar that creates cocktails and solid food topping all of Austin ’s “ good Of ” lists .
Ania Robbins
Bar manager/beverage director at Backbeat
When wassail . Well . ’s sister bar Backbeat opened in February , Moscow native Ania Robbins was appointed as bar manager and beverage managing director . Ania helps make Backbeat ’s menus , oversees the all-embracing spirits list , and helped train an totally young cake squad from the ground up . This year , Ania competed in her first national competition for the House of Agricole ( the cocktail she design , the “ Bellevue Sling ” was added to Backbeat ’s dazzling scuttle card ! ) . Ania ’s knowledge of the rhum category and her performance at this competition lead to her being offered the role of a part - clip embassador for the House of Agricole , becoming a sought - after advocate and pedagog on the category of agricole rhum from the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe .
Paul Neuenschwander
Bartender at Firehouse Lounge
Paul is known as “ a barman ’s barkeeper ” and also as “ Mr. Firehouse , ” which is chanted by co - worker and patrons alike . No one quite knows why , but it contributes to his caption . Paul was a major drive force behind the establishment of Firehouse ’s Bartender Karaoke nights ( first Mondays of the calendar month , generally ) , which have proven to be a hit with the cocktail residential area in Austin . Paul give back to the community via his work in the Austin chapter of the Barman ’s Fund – a non - profit establishment made up of bartenders – with result like bingo nighttime , cocktail party , and burlesque dancing , where all of the night ’s tips are donate to local charities .
Larry Miller II
Head bartender at Juliet
Larry Miller is really into hospitality . As former bar manager of Gallic eateryPeche , he made it his destination to pep up the same passion in both his faculty and his equal . As of this year , he is now contribute his gift in both craft cocktails and bring home the bacon the best invitee experience to the Italian hot daub , Juliet . In the interior realm , Larry was select as a finalist in the 2016 Lustau brandy cocktail competition with his drinking , the Lola Flores .
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ANIA ROBBINS|KNOX PHOTOGRAPHICS
Ben Sklar
Amber Wilson
Courtesy of JR Mocanu
Courtesy of Antonio Matta
Courtesy of Florian Minier
Ivanka the Nice Spa Lady
Courtesy of Larry Miller II
