Upon first meeting David Ortiz behind the stick of Club 50, a Miami Mixology Bar in the Viceroy Hotel, you expect the normal concoctions of daiquiris and mojitos but what arrives at your fingertips is nothing short of a masterpiece. With 29 years of experience in the hospitality industry, David has a growing passion and respect for the art of mixolgy and the culinary visions that accompany it.

Starting at the ripe age of 15, he grew up with the struggles of being first generation Hispanic-American, while aspiring to elliptical dreams of becoming a “Rockafella” to the field of hospitality. Winning the first annual Cardinal Mendoza Brandy Competition in 1999 rekindled a passion David had by getting him out from behind the bar! Consulting while maintaining a home base behind a bar, David ventured into marketing with Jim Beam Global, Boca Loca Cachaca, Bacardi USA, Appleton Estate Rum, amongst many others.

Recently he founded the United States Bartenders’ Guild Miami Chapter. As the current president of the USBG, he is shining Miami’s spotlight even brighter stating “Hey America, we’ve got some talent!”