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Who | Lauren Pellecchia
Where | Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Current Bar | O’Neal’s Tavern (Is currently being sold, I’m looking for a new position)
Past Bar(s) | I’ve spent the last 12 years at O’Neal’s Tavern
Favourite Spirit | Tequila or Gin- depends on the day.
Favourite Juice | Lemon. Or Pineapple. Or Ginger. I can’t decide.
Favourite Classic Cocktail | Vesper or Old Fashioned
Favourite Part of the Job | The creativity. And the chance to connect with so many different people.
Favourite After Work Drink | Very dry botanical Gin Martini. Or a glass of Malbec.
Favourite at Home Drink | Tequila or Gin with a Lime La Croix.
Favourite bar in the world | Oak & Ivy in Las Vegas. But I fall in love with most bars that I visit.
Best known for | My creative, elevated but accessible cocktails. Specifically my secret recipe Peanut Butter Cups.
Favourite “at work” memory | Throwing a surprise birthday party for a regular who was turning 97 years old. His birthday was 3 weeks before the Covid shutdowns, and while we’ve had phone calls and exchanged cards, he’s not been back to the bar since that birthday.
What do you collect? Memories, experiences, postcards.
Favourite thing about your city? We’re still (mostly) a hidden gem! We have a wonderful food and beverage scene (award winning breweries, restaurants, and cocktail bars), but we’re doing our best to keep it a secret.
What was the last photo that you took? A Cocktail. It was an entry to a competition, so I took about 70 photos of the same cocktail.
Where is one place that you have never been but would like to travel to? Spain! Dominican Republic!
Any claims to fame? • Four Roses Julep Contest Finalist 2021
• Licor 43 Bartenders & Baristas Challenge 2021
• Patron Perfectionist 2020 East Coast Finalist
• Van Gogh Vodka BARTist of the Year 2019 2nd Place
• Cardenal Mendoza International Golden Week 2019 1st Place
• Hendrick’s Hot Gin Punch 2020 Finalist
• Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience 2020 Ohio Finalist
• ShakeStir Salud y Slainte Finalist 2020
• ShakeStir Garrison Brother’s Finalist 2020
• Buckeye Vodka Outpouring of Love 1st Place
• Pusser’s Rum Black Toy Day International Competition 2nd Place 2020
And a few more… most recently Cognac Connection 2021 Winner
Prosecco or Cava? Prosecco
Angostura or Peychaud’s? Angostura
Singapore or San Francisco? San Fran
Grapefruit or Pineapple? Pineapple- grilled, juiced, syrup, blended, Tepache, so many things you can do with it!
Are you available for freelance gigs? Absolutely!
Find them: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok
Media: Chilled Magazine – Guest Editor
Cincy Lifestyle – Labor Day Drinks with a Local Bartender
Cincy Lifestyle – Holiday Cocktails from a Local Mixologist