Featured Bartender April 2026: Thomas Villani, Savannah, GA

Thomas Villani entered the food and beverage world in 2016 after walking away from a sales career in New York City in search of something more creative and hands-on. What he found was an industry that blended craft, hospitality, and self-expression behind the bar.

In 2022, Thomas joined Hyatt Hotels, where his growth was rapid. Over the next three years, he earned three promotions, ultimately becoming Beverage Director at one of the Thompson brand’s highest grossing properties, the Thompson Savannah!

His work behind the bar is driven by a curiosity for fermentation and technique, using time and transformation to build depth and complexity in cocktails. Cross-utilization and sustainability are important to his process, shaping programs that are both thoughtful and efficient. Thomas’s approach balances creativity with structure, resulting in drinks that feel layered and purposeful. Thompson Savannah has quickly become a standard in the city’s hospitality and cocktail scene, earning several guest experience and beverage driven awards.