Six years ago, 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. Last year, we reimagined the program and gave 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 individuals listed below have been selected as 2024 Best New Bartenders finalists. Each possesses a distinctive creative point-of-view behind the bar paired with a genuine desire to push the industry forward. From this talented group, 10 will be named the Best New Bartenders of 2024. Check back on August 21 for the final list.
Kitty Bernardo | Paradise Lost, New York, New York
Justin Brody | The Port of Call, Mystic, Connecticut
Rensel Cabrera | The Sylvester, Miami, Florida
Gabriel Chavez | Last Rites, San Francisco, California
Kelly Corso | Lobby Bar, San Francisco, California
Linda Douglas | Donna’s, Los Angeles, California
Allison Everitt | Kiesling, Detroit, Michigan
Chris Figueroa | Crown Shy, Overstory and Saga, New York, New York
Altamash Gaziyani | Puritan & Company, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Summer Goff | Run For The Roses, Denver, Colorado
Manny Hernandez | Stokes Adobe, Monterey, California
Antonio Jimenez | Bolo, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Tom G. Liu | Thunderbolt, Los Angeles, California
Jon Mateer | TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Jackson Mercier | Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Thomas Moore IV | The Elysian Bar and The Columns, New Orleans, Louisiana
Maddy Morrison | Kumiko, Chicago, Illinois
Thi Nguyen | Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.
Jordan Valls | Palomar, Portland, Oregon
Shaun Williams | Jewel of the South, New Orleans, Louisiana