Our Mixologists
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Matt Merlino
With over a decade of experience managing top-tier bars and restaurants, Matt is a seasoned hospitality professional known for his expertise in cocktail creation, guest experience, and seamless event execution. His passion lies in hosting — creating warm, memorable moments through thoughtful service and expertly crafted drinks.
Matt’s original cocktails are known for their balance, creativity, and technical precision. He has collaborated with renowned brands including Patrón, WeSake, Los Dos, Boisson, Gallery Media Group, Douglas Elliman, and Loro Piana. His work has been featured in major publications such as Martha Stewart Weddings, Forbes, Cosmopolitan, and People, highlighting his influence in the world of modern mixology.
Driven by a genuine love for sharing his knowledge of spirits and technique, Matt continues to elevate events with a personal touch and a deep appreciation for the craft.
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Melissa Brooke
Melissa Brooke is a Beverage Director, menu consultant and mixologist who has worked for a variety of noteworthy New York City restaurants, bars & nightlife venues. Inspired by the ethereal arts, she elevates flavor profiles in crafting cocktails by using plants, flowers, herbs and spices to reflect themes such as astrology, astro-herbology, the oracle & mysticism. She has worked with various notable liquor brands on cocktail development and has been featured in a variety of trade publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Vine Pair, Time Out New York & the New York Post, as well as on NBC's New York Live. She was lovingly dubbed the in-house “Spirit Whisperer” during her 3 year residency at the beloved Michelin starred Musket Room. Melissa currently teaches cocktail classes and passionately curates magical events through her company, Divine Spirits.
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Kingdom Lei
Kingdom is a very talented mixologist, having worked at some very notable haunts in the Lower East Side. An artist by day, you can find him behind a bar at night crafting up something new.
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Andy Hartman
Andy is a New York based actor who loves a good cocktail almost as much as a good curtain call. Trained in theatre at Northwestern and in mixology at the Columbia Bartending Agency, he loves shaking and stirring for cocktail making classes, corporate events, birthday parties, bachelorettes, and everything in between. Hire him for your next event — there will be no shortage of good drinks and good vibes.
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Anthony Bates
Hailing from Harlem, New York, Anthony grew up surrounded by generations of culture, a rich upbringing that continues to influence his artistic approach to NYC’s mixology scene. With over a decade of experience in hospitality, Anthony has begun teaching mixology classes to the next generation, using his platform to give back to the community that shaped him.
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Nicole Salicetti
A Manhattan native, Nicole has worked in virtually every type of bar venue imaginable—yes, even that one. Her passion for spirits spans the globe and includes a deep appreciation for all styles of cocktails, from Scotch to Tequila to Baijiu (don’t know what Baijiu is? Exactly).
Nicole offers engaging and informative events where guests can learn to mix everything from shaken classics to stirred masterpieces. She can also lead spirit tastings tailored to her areas of expertise, sharing both technique and knowledge along the way.
As a competition-winning bartender, Nicole has traveled internationally to deepen her understanding of global spirits and cocktail cultures—experiences she weaves into every event through rich storytelling and hands-on learning.
Whether teaching how to perfect a simple three-ingredient cocktail or guiding a curated tasting, Nicole ensures guests not only gain new skills but have an unforgettable time doing it.

