Women’s History Month Celebrating Women Behind the Bar

KIMBER WEISSERT PITTSBURGH, PA

Originally a talent booker at a concert club in Cleveland, Kimber found her way behind the bar 15 years ago which led to a path of craft cocktails, whiskey, and wine. She’s now running the bar program and bartending at Simpre Algo in the Deutschtown neighborhood of Pittsburgh where the whiskey selection is continually growing!

HANNAH WHITENACK DETROIT, MI

With a passion for rum and tiki, Hannah has bartended for almost 18 years in Detroit. A frequent participant in “Women Who Tiki” events, she is currently involved with a tiki bar pop up concept called "Dead Lagoon".

A self-described “bit of a nerd” Missy’s dream is to one day open a GoT-themed bar where she can focus on sustainable practices, sourcing from local vendors, and creating a healthy compassionate working environment for herself and the people around her.

Originally from South Texas, Crystal has been bartending for six years and is a sitting board member of the Long Beach Bartenders Guild.

Alisha’s background in dance and fine arts, along with her Korean American heritage, are the fuel behind her creativity and passion for her 20 years behind the bar, and her current work at Veritas Restaurant in Columbus.

Dixon

Having worked at some of Richmond’s most beloved restaurants and bars, Beth is now the sole proprietor of Salt and Acid where she focuses on cocktail menu consulting, bar staff training, mixology education, and private events. She’s also the President of the local chapter of the USBG, and is a trainer for Safe Bars RVA, which focuses on sexual violence/harassment prevention in the hospitality industry.

After pursuing a career in make-up artistry, and following her passion for martial arts, “bartending was something I had always envisioned doing one day because I was often fascinated by the process of making magic happen behind the bar – creating, combining, and transforming magic and the alchemy and chemistry of it all,” says Jocelyn, who is a lead bartender at one of the top restaurants in California’s capitol city, Kru Japanese Contemporary Cuisine.

Nadine Medina Las Vegas

Hailing from Hawaii, food and beverage has been in Nadine’s blood for generations. After an exciting stint as a Chef for the Seattle Sonics, Seahawks, and Mariners, she crossed over into bartending and eventually found her way to Las Vegas where she now is a menu consultant and the owner of a custom garnish and specialty mixology products company.

Leavy

A native of Honolulu, and a Las Vegas resident for over 10 years, Jillian has an extensive background in marketing and operations management. She has worked at some of the best-known restaurants and bars in the city, now behind the bar at Blue Martini Lounge.

EMILY URBANIAK CLEVELAND, OH

Emily started bartending 12 years ago in Honolulu and has since worked at just about every kind of bar, from dives to nightclubs to private speakeasies. She’s currently at LBM in Lakewood, OH, and Cordelia in downtown Cleveland, where she invites everyone to stop by for a drink!

AMANDA VIEIRA HOBOKEN, NJ

From Brazil to Hoboken, NJ, Amanda moved across the globe to learn English at 19. Since then, she’s created a successful career for herself as a bartender and now as an Event Director at Grand Vin. With her eye for detail, Amanda has big plans to one day start her own restaurant and event planning business.

Cat

Cat is the co-owner of Mindful Hospitality Group (a bar consulting and catering company) and St. Clair Social (a local neighborhood craft cocktail bar and gastropub in Pittsburgh).

NIKKI McCUTCHEON NEW YORK, NY

A 3rd generation hospitality professional, while growing up Joy’s family ran Cafe Seda in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. After working in Miami and Hawaii, she moved to Las Vegas where’s she’s now the corporate bar manager of the award-winning team at Herbs & Rye and Cleaver.

INGA TANTISALIDCHAI NEWPORT BEACH,

Inga Tantisalidchai started in the service industry at the age of 18 and as soon as she turned 21 she found her way behind the bar. Starting at a time when “craft cocktails” did not exist yet, Inga learned and grew with the bar industry as it evolved into what it is today. She loves challenging herself by entering multiple competitions every year. Inga is a part time rum runner for Papas Pilar rum and is the head bartender at OLEA in Newport Beach.

As the Senior Director of Beverage for Tao Group Hospitality in New York, Nikki oversees the wine lists, cocktail programs, and beverage operations for all Tao Group Hospitality venues on the East Coast. Additionally, five years ago she officially received her level two certification by the Court of Master Sommeliers, and with her exemplary knowledge of wines and mixology, she developed a monthly wine and spirits class called “Sips in the City” in 2019.

GENEVIEVE JOHNSON COLUMBUS, OH

G is a craft bartender helping to grow the vibrant cocktail scene in Columbus, recently opening Speck Italian Eatery as the bar manager (where you’ll probably find her drinking a mezcal Last Word).

Originally from New Jersey, Gabriela now lives and works in Cleveland, Ohio. She has bartended at a variety of cocktail bars and restaurants around the city, and currently calls Thyme X Table her bar home. She also has competed in a variety of national and global cocktail competitions and continues to push herself to venture out and try new experiences within the cocktail world. Her favorite aspect of bartending is being able to incorporate her fine art degree and proclivity for creativity in her practice, from drink creation to menu design, to create a unique and inspired experience for her guests.