Featured Bartender August 2026: Oscar Simoza, BCB3 Hospitality, Boston, MA

Born and raised in Venezuela, Oscar Simoza has become one of Boston’s most recognizable hospitality professionals, known for blending thoughtful cocktail craftsmanship with warmth, humor, and deeply personal storytelling. As Director of Spirits for BCB3 Hospitality, he oversees beverage programs across some of Boston’s most celebrated venues, creating cocktail experiences that are playful, intentional, and rooted in genuine hospitality.

Simoza moved to Boston in 2007 to visit his brother, but what was meant to be a short trip quickly became a new beginning. Captivated by the city’s hospitality community, he decided to stay and began his career at the legendary Johnny D’s in Somerville before becoming a beloved fixture behind the bar at Silvertone. There, his ability to connect with guests, remember names, tell stories, and make everyone feel like a regular helped establish him as one of Boston’s rising hospitality leaders.

In 2022, Simoza joined BCB3 Hospitality to lead the beverage programs at jm Curley, Bogie’s Place, and The Wig Shop, where his creative approach pairing technical precision with nostalgia, humor, and heartfelt storytelling, quickly earned national recognition. Under his beverage leadership, The Wig Shop has continued to receive widespread acclaim, earning a place on The World’s 50 Best Bars Extended List at No. 86 and being recognized by USA Today as one of its Bars of the Year, further cementing both the venue and Boston as destinations for world-class hospitality.

He later expanded his leadership across additional concepts including Temple Records, Sushi@, Somaek, Zurito, and Willies, mentoring teams and developing beverage programs that celebrate both craftsmanship and approachability. Today, he mentors more than 20 bartenders across the BCB3 Hospitality portfolio, helping shape the next generation of hospitality professionals by teaching not only technique, but also the belief that great hospitality begins with making people feel welcome, heard, and genuinely cared for.

In 2025, Simoza was named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service, recognizing his commitment to elevating hospitality through exceptional drinks and unforgettable guest experiences. His work has also been featured in national publications, and he regularly collaborates with leading spirits brands and acclaimed bartenders across the country through educational seminars, guest shifts, and industry events.

At the heart of Simoza’s philosophy is a simple belief: “Simplicity with a purpose.” Whether drawing inspiration from childhood memories in Venezuela, creating Basque-inspired low-ABV cocktails, or reinventing nostalgic flavors into modern classics, every drink tells a story. His menus celebrate culture, family, humor, and playfulness while remaining approachable to both cocktail enthusiasts and first-time guests.

Above all, Oscar believes hospitality is measured long after the last sip. His goal is never just to make a great cocktail, but to create moments that guests remember,whether through a laugh across the bar, a story behind a drink, or simply making someone feel like they belong. That philosophy has become the foundation of both his leadership and his lasting impact on Boston’s hospitality scene