BARTENDER Magazine’s 27 for 27: Liz Hitchcock

Liz Hitchcock has a deep appreciation for the classics, but that does not mean she is interested in doing everything by the book. At an inventive basement cocktail bar in New York City, she helps lead a bar program that embraces creative experimentation while asking an important operational question: how can bartenders work smarter, not harder? Her approach is about improving established practices to meet the realities of a constantly evolving hospitality industry. That balance of inventive drinks and practical thinking defines her work behind the bar. Liz is happy to keep things a little weird, bringing personality to her cocktails without losing sight of efficiency and the guest experience. When she is not working, she can often be found exploring the Lower East Side or Bushwick, enjoying a rum cocktail and trying to meet every dog that crosses her path. Her willingness to rethink the familiar makes her one to watch. For Liz, innovation is not limited to the ingredients in a glass. It can also mean changing a process, challenging an old habit or making life easier for the people working behind the bar.