MIXING UP MEMORIES

JOHNNY HERNANDEZ, MIXOLOGIST AT THE CAPTAIN BAR IN HOTEL HARTNESS

Tucked away in a plush leather booth of The Captain, Hotel Hartness’ bar, one can find an atmosphere fit for conversation. The warm and inviting space, weighted with heavy wooden beams and a chic pass-through fireplace, dress the scene for a relaxing cocktail. But what is a cocktail without its maker?

According to Johnny, mixologist at The Captain, a cocktail is more than a drink; it’s an experience. “To me, a cocktail is a combination of flavors, and each flavor comes with its own unique memory for each person. When fused together, this drink creates a new moment and a new memory for that person. That’s a big responsibility, and I’m happy to take it on.”

To Johnny, bartending is more than a skill; it’s a passion. He believes a good mixologist is made up of four parts: one part creative, one part honest, one part skilled, and a big heap of social skills. If shaken well and poured over a delectable atmosphere, like The Captain, you are in for a memorable experience.

Born in Merida, Venezuela, Johnny brings with him not only the cocktail flair of Caracas, Venezuela’s capital city, where his training in cocktail crafting first began, but also the knowledge of New York’s mixology scene as he continued his training in the Big Apple, working with mentors at some of New York’s most accredited restaurants. To top off his training, in 2021, Johnny received the opportunity to work in Wynwood, Miami, Miami’s hottest nightlife district at their first-ever Gin Cocktail Club. Trained in the art of molecular cocktails, gastronomic techniques, and free-hand crafting, Johnny is truly a cocktail savant and a profound philosopher of the palate.

In 2022, Greenville, SC caught Johnny’s eye. The fast-paced scenes of Miami, New York, and Caracas made him an exceptional bartender, but he was ready for a change of pace and a chance to settle down. Greenville provided him with just that. After interviewing with Juan Nieto for a bartending position at Hotel Hartness, the team knew right away that Johnny was the guru for the job. According to Johnny, “Greenville is paradise, and Hotel Hartness is paradise in the middle of paradise”. He is thrilled to be a part of such an amazing project and is honored to serve us up some drinks along the way.

The next time you find yourself needing to wind down, make sure you stop in to see Johnny. Have him craft you up his signature cocktail, the “Golden Eagle,” a drink as lustrous as it sounds. Or perhaps have him design a cocktail based on your favorite flavors. Who knows, you might just get your own signature drink named after you! No matter your drink of choice, there is no doubt Johnny’s award-winning talents are up to the challenge. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy a cocktail at The Captain crafted by the one and only memory maker himself, Johnny Hernandez.