Home » BT Bartenders » BARTENDER Magazine’s 27 for 27: Stuart Weaver
Stuart Weaver is a Head Bartender in New York City and a Partner at a nationally recognized cocktail bar in Denver, Colorado. Originally from Texas, Stuart has spent more than two decades in the hospitality industry, working his way from washing dishes at his hometown steakhouse to leading some of the country’s most celebrated cocktail programs.
Driven by a love of bold flavors, a constant desire to learn, and the belief that a great bar should always be a good time, Stuart has built a career centered around creativity, community, and genuine hospitality.
During his seven years leading a popular Denver neighborhood cocktail bar, Stuart helped transform the establishment into a nationally recognized cocktail destination. Under his leadership, the bar was named a 2026 James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Outstanding Bar and earned recognition among the Top 10 U.S. Bar Teams and Regional Top 10 U.S. Cocktail Bars at the 2026 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards.
His individual accomplishments include winning a national cocktail competition in 2025, being named a finalist for the Colorado Restaurant Association’s Beverage Professional of the Year, and receiving recognition from a national culinary organization celebrating emerging hospitality talent.
As a proud gay hospitality leader, Stuart is passionate about championing queer visibility, mentoring the next generation of bartenders, and celebrating the important role bars play in bringing communities together.
Now entering an exciting new chapter in New York City, Stuart continues to bring his creativity, curiosity, and dedication to approachable, unpretentious hospitality to everything he does. For Stuart, a great cocktail is only part of the experience. What matters most is creating a space where people can connect, feel welcome, and have a genuinely great time.
