Let Austin's Bartenders of the Year Pour You a Drink Tonight

ANIA ROBBINS
ANIA ROBBINS | KNOX PHOTOGRAPHICS

We write a lot about Austin’s best bars, but for this round-up, we want to focus on the bartenders who really took strides in the industry in 2016. After gathering intel from industry insiders -- which is code for "hanging out at bars" -- we decided to give props to this talented gang of people who are solidifying Austin’s reputation as an innovative and fun drinking city. Now, go get a cocktail from them all immediately, and be sure to tell ‘em Large Marge sent you. Kidding, “the chick from Thrillist” will work just fine.

Ben Sklar

Brett Esler

Barman at Whisler’s

East Sixth

It’s safe to say it’s been a good freakin’ year for Brett Esler -- his cocktails have been featured in most every media outlet imaginable and at 27, he’s one of the youngest bartenders in Austin making a name for himself, locally and nationally. Brett has worked at Whisler's and Mezcaleria Tobalá since moving to Austin nearly three years ago and can be found behind the bar at the popular East Sixth bar. He, along with the rest of the bar team, work in collaboration with the GM to develop Whisler’s rotating, seasonal cocktail menu.

Amber Wilson

Jennifer Keyser

Chief of Bar Operations at Geraldine’s

Rainey Street

With more than 20 years in the service industry, Jen Keyser is a force to be reckoned with. She’s worked at many of Austin’s hot spots, most recently at Midnight Cowboy and Contigo, before accepting the position as chief of bar operations at Geraldine’s. This year, Jen has been kicking butt with her inventive Austin-inspired cocktail program and, led her Geraldine’s bar family to victory at The Austin Food and Wine Alliance’s 2016 Official Drink of Austin competition with their rum-based cocktail, Far From the Tree.

Courtesy of JR Mocanu

JR Mocanu

Beverage Director at VOX Table

South Lamar

Hailing from Madison, Wisconsin, JR Mocanu took over the popular eatery’s bar program this year when Travis Tober moved into the brand education realm. In addition to helping open VOX’s new concept, El Burro -- which opens very soon -- JR owns and operates The Barmadillo, a mobile bar housed in a vintage Airstream. “Fearless” and “fun” are words one could use to describe JR’s current menu for VOX Table; visit him for one of his cheeky creations like the That Island Chick that Broke Your Heart: (Avua Amburana cachaça, Rhum Clement Canne Bleue, Plantation 3 Stars, Green Chartreuse, anise, pineapple, vanilla, honey, lemon , orange, and Bittermens Tiki bitters).

Courtesy of Antonio Matta

Antonio Matta

Bar manager at The Jackalope

East Riverside

Having worked at The Jackalope on 6th St and at Firehouse Lounge, Antonio’s approach to bartending walks the line between an enthusiastic “here’s your meticulously crafted Sazerac” and a deadpan “please don’t order that"... in the best way possible, of course. This year he helped open the shiny new Jackalope location on East Riverside where he works as bar manager in the company of a skilled and fun team of bartenders. He also participated in the Bar Institute mashup event featuring NYC’s Holiday Cocktail Lounge, which helped raise over $3,300 for Austin charities.

Courtesy of Florian Minier

Florian Minier

Bar manager at The Townsend

Congress Ave

From dive bars to Michelin-rated restaurants, Florian Minier has worked behind all types of bars over the last 12 years including stints at Haddington's, Midnight Cowboy, and Half Step since moving to Austin. This year, he joined the team at The Townsend supporting Justin Elliott who serves as beverage director and partner.

Without skipping a beat, Florian’s experience and talent have lent themselves (along with the amazing Townsend team!) to the consistent success of the Congress Ave bar that creates cocktails and food topping all of Austin’s “Best Of” lists.

Ania Robbins

Bar manager/beverage director at Backbeat

South Lamar

When Drink.Well.’s sister bar Backbeat opened in February, Moscow native Ania Robbins was appointed as bar manager and beverage director. Ania helps create Backbeat’s menus, oversees the extensive spirits list, and helped train an entirely new bar team from the ground up. This year, Ania competed in her first national competition for the House of Agricole (the cocktail she designed, the “Bellevue Sling” was added to Backbeat’s dazzling opening menu!). Ania’s knowledge of the rhum category and her performance at this competition lead to her being offered the role of a part-time ambassador for the House of Agricole, becoming a sought-after advocate and educator on the category of agricole rhum from the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe.

Ivanka the Nice Spa Lady

Paul Neuenschwander

Bartender at Firehouse Lounge

Downtown

Paul is known as “a bartender’s bartender” and also as “Mr. Firehouse,” which is chanted by co-workers and patrons alike. No one quite knows why, but it contributes to his legend. Paul was a major driving force behind the establishment of Firehouse's Bartender Karaoke nights (first Mondays of the month, generally), which have proven to be a hit with the cocktail community in Austin. Paul gives back to the community via his work in the Austin chapter of the Barman’s Fund -- a non-profit organization made up of bartenders -- with events like bingo night, cocktail parties, and burlesque dancing, where all of the night’s tips are donated to local charities.

Courtesy of Larry Miller II

Larry Miller II

Head bartender at Juliet

Zilker

Larry Miller is really into hospitality. As former bar manager of French eatery Peche, he made it his goal to inspire the same passion in both his staff and his peers. As of this year, he is now lending his talents in both crafting cocktails and providing the best guest experience to the Italian hot spot, Juliet. In the national realm, Larry was selected as a finalist in the 2016 Lustau brandy cocktail competition with his drink, the Lola Flores.

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Anastacia Uriegas is a food and drink writer whose top bartender of 2016 is her damn self. Now go make me a daiquiri, me! Follow her at: @anaurie.
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