Top Journalists in Bars and Pubs
Robert Simonson The New York Times; PUNCH
New York Times contributor and author regarded as one of the leading voices on cocktails and bar culture; also runs The Mix newsletter and contributes to PUNCH. Specialties: Cocktails, classic and modern bars, bartenders, spirits history, New York bar scene
Talia Baiocchi PUNCH
Founder and editor-in-chief of PUNCH, the award-winning Vox Media site devoted to drinks and drinking culture; author of Sherry. Specialties: Cocktails, drinking culture, editorial leadership, industry trends
Website | Muck Rack | Instagram
Chloe Frechette PUNCH
Executive editor of PUNCH and author of Easy Tiki; edits and writes deeply on cocktail culture and bar trends. Specialties: Cocktails, tiki, Martini trends, bar features
Emma Janzen Freelance (NYT, PUNCH, Eater, Good Beer Hunting)
James Beard–winning drinks journalist and author (Mezcal; co-author of The Way of the Cocktail) covering global bar culture for outlets like the NYT and PUNCH; Midwest Academy Chair for The World’s 50 Best Bars. Specialties: Spirits (especially agave), global cocktail bars, 50 Best Bars, Midwest bar scene
Website | Muck Rack | Instagram
David Wondrich Esquire; PUNCH
Foremost cocktail historian and longtime columnist (Esquire); co-editor of The Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails and author of Imbibe!; frequent PUNCH contributor. Specialties: Cocktail and bar history, classic recipes, spirits scholarship
Website | PUNCH author page | Muck Rack
Kara Newman Wine Enthusiast; PUNCH
New York–based spirits/cocktail writer and longtime Wine Enthusiast editor and reviewer; author of multiple cocktail books and frequent contributor to leading outlets. Specialties: Spirits reviews, cocktail trends, bar features
Email | Website | PUNCH author page
Aaron Goldfarb VinePair; PUNCH
Brooklyn-based writer-at-large at VinePair and frequent PUNCH contributor; 2020 Spirited Awards Best Cocktail & Spirits Writer; author of Hacking Whiskey and Brand Mysticism. Specialties: Cocktails, whiskey, bar culture, investigative and trend features
Website | VinePair author page | X/Twitter
Dave Infante Fingers; VinePair
Investigative and opinionated coverage of drinking in America via his independent newsletter Fingers and as a contributing editor/columnist at VinePair (Hop Take). Specialties: Alcohol policy, beer business, labor and culture in bars, newsletters
Email | Newsletter | Linktree
Tim McKirdy VinePair
Managing editor at VinePair and host of the Cocktail College podcast, covering the people and programs behind leading bars. Specialties: Cocktails and spirits editing, tastings/reviews, bar interviews (podcast)
Email | VinePair profile | Muck Rack
Joanna Sciarrino VinePair
Editor-in-chief of VinePair overseeing national drinks coverage and co-hosting the VinePair Podcast; previously at Food52 and Lucky Peach. Specialties: Editorial direction across drinks, service/bar etiquette, consumer guides
VinePair profile | The Org profile | X/Twitter
Kate Bernot Good Beer Hunting (Sightlines); Craft Beer & Brewing
Award-winning beer reporter best known for Sightlines news/analysis at Good Beer Hunting and as director of the North American Guild of Beer Writers; also contributes to Craft Beer & Brewing. Specialties: Beer business, pubs and on-premise trends, category analysis
Bryan Roth Good Beer Hunting (Sightlines)
Analyst and longtime Good Beer Hunting editor whose Sightlines work helps operators understand shifting consumer behavior and on-premise dynamics. Specialties: Beer industry analysis, consumer insights, category trends impacting bars and taprooms
Jeff Cioletti Craft Spirits Magazine
Editor-in-chief of Craft Spirits Magazine (ACSA) covering on-premise/craft distilling news that intersects with bar programs and hospitality. Specialties: Spirits industry and tasting rooms, bar program operations, craft distilling (on-premise)
Alice Lascelles Financial Times
FT drinks columnist and author of The Cocktail Edit and The Martini; covers bars, spirits and drinking culture with award-winning reporting. Specialties: Bar culture, cocktails, wine/spirits columns, London and global scenes
Website | Financial Times column | Instagram
Hamish Smith CLASS Bar Magazine; Drinks International
Editor of CLASS Bar Magazine and Bars Editor at Drinks International; senior Academy Chair for The World’s 50 Best Bars (UK & Ireland). Specialties: Bars journalism, awards, UK/Ireland bar scene, global 50 Best Bars
Email | CLASS contacts | Muck Rack
Melita Kiely The Spirits Business
Editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business, chairing the Global Spirits Masters competitions and covering bar trends worldwide. Specialties: Global spirits news, US on-premise coverage, city bar guides
Simon Difford Difford’s Guide
Founder-editor of Difford’s Guide, a key reference for bartenders and cocktail bars, with deep reporting on bars, techniques and spirits. Specialties: Cocktail recipes and techniques, global bar benchmarks, spirits reviews
Ashley Bray Bar & Restaurant
Editorial & Content Director at Bar & Restaurant (Questex), leading B2B coverage that helps bar operators grow traffic and profitability. Specialties: Bar/restaurant operations, on-premise marketing, staffing, beverage strategy
Chris Crowley Grub Street (New York Magazine)
Senior writer at New York Magazine’s Grub Street, frequently reporting on bar openings, bar programs, and drinking culture. Specialties: NYC bars and nightlife, drinking trends, profiles, policy and culture
Kate Dingwall Freelance (Liquor.com, Food & Wine, Eater, etc.)
Freelance drinks writer and working sommelier whose reporting appears in Liquor.com, Food & Wine, Forbes, Eater and more; covers bar trends across North America. Specialties: Cocktails, bars, spirits industry, trend pieces; sommelier perspective
InsideHook bio | Southern Living bio
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