BARTENDER Magazine’s 27 for 27: Ryan Payne

Ryan Payne is a hospitality professional with more than two decades of experience in Dallas’s dynamic bar and restaurant scene. Throughout his career, he has worked alongside talented teams across clubs, pubs, restaurants, and cocktail bars, gaining a deep understanding of the industry while helping shape the city’s evolving hospitality culture.

Today, Ryan is the co-owner of two neighborhood bars deeply rooted in the Dallas hospitality community. Through these establishments, he continues to champion the importance of genuine hospitality, creating spaces where guests feel welcome and industry professionals feel connected.

Over the years, Ryan has built lasting relationships throughout the industry, mentored emerging hospitality professionals, and contributed to the growth of Dallas’s food and beverage scene. His experience across a wide range of concepts has helped shape his approach to hospitality, blending the energy of a great neighborhood bar with a genuine commitment to the people who make it special.

For Ryan, hospitality has never been just about cocktails or what’s behind the bar. It’s about bringing people together, building meaningful relationships, and creating a sense of community that keeps guests coming back. Whether he’s supporting his team, mentoring the next generation, or welcoming familiar faces, Ryan remains committed to the people-first philosophy that has guided his career for more than 20 years.