In 2018, Punch launched the Bartender in Residence program with a simple mission: Elevate and amplify rising talent in the bartending community through a combination of editorial coverage, social media, live events and more. Since its inception, we’ve produced over two dozen events and spotlighted more than 30 bartenders who have gone on to create their own programs, advocate for a more inclusive industry and launch a variety of nonprofits, all while producing inspired original cocktails.
This year, we’re reimagining the program and giving it a new name, Best New Bartenders, to better capture how the series has evolved—from an intimate takeover of our office test bar for the New York trade community to an editorial franchise with national reach, and a growing family of alums who represent the future of bartending.
The bartenders below have been selected as 2023 Best New Bartenders semifinalists—each possessing a distinctive point of view on drink-making, a genuine passion for the hospitality industry and a desire to push it forward. From this talented group, 10 will be named the Best New Bartenders of 2023. Check back on October 10 for the final list.
The 2023 Best New Bartenders Semifinalists
Sarah An | Jolene Sound Room, Miami, Florida
Tammy Bouma | Happy Accidents, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Han Suk Cho | Kato, Los Angeles, California
Renée Fitzgerald | Punch Room, Tampa, Florida
Erika Flowers | Cane & Table, New Orleans, Louisiana
Kat Foster | Margot, Brooklyn, New York
Michael George | Acme Bar Co., Salt Lake City, Utah
Sebastian Guerrero | Cira, Chicago, Illinois
Joshua Ibañez | The Doctor's Office and Rumba, Seattle, Washington
Laura Maddox | Small Victory, Austin, Texas
Cody Mulcahy | Multnomah Whiskey Library, Portland, Oregon
Ramsey Musk | Accomplice, Los Angeles, California
Eloy Pacheco | Dante, New York, New York
Everyn Phoenix | Queen Mary Tavern and The Aviary, Chicago, Illinois
Jake Powell | Death & Co., Denver, Colorado
Max Reis | Mírate, Los Angeles, California
Marc Rodriguez | Atomix, New York, New York
Antanas Samkus | Family Meal at Blue Hill, New York, New York
Rosey Sullivan | Monarch, Dallas, Texas
LyAnna Sanabria | Papi, Portland, Maine
Kim Vo | Dutch Courage, Baltimore, Maryland