A friend once told me that bartending was just making drinks and sending them across a bar. That person had clearly never met Rob Floyd.
Rob is well-known from his appearances as the mixology expert on Paramount Network’s Bar Rescue, and with good reason. It’s his presence that re-energized the show in its later seasons. Of course he was incredibly good at his job; he helped Jon Taffer with some major turnarounds. But Rob proved that being an expert—and being a mixologist—is more than coming up with a great cocktail menu. It’s about hospitality, and he’s able to engage with people better than anyone else who’s ever been on the show.
When Rob explains a cocktail, it’s not just a recipe; it’s a story. There’s a clear understanding of not just what, but why—which fosters a greater appreciation and makes the idea accessible to everyone. Whether or not you drink alcohol, you get interested because Rob brings everything together and he does it with such enthusiasm. You want to be a part of what he’s doing. Even in some of Bar Rescue‘s most frustrating episodes, he was the one expert who always seemed excited for the challenge. Because of that, he elevates everyone around him.
That’s something that deserves more recognition, whether it’s on TV or not. Entertainment and hospitality share the common ground of bringing people together. It’s not about the drink. People go to bars for the sense of community and to have an experience. Rob has cultivated an impressive career full of media appearances and collaborations in which you can tell the genuine interest he has in connecting with other people. He’s not trying to be a star himself; he’s making other people shine, whether it’s the guests at an event or the bartenders that he’s training. There aren’t many people in any industry who have the selflessness that Rob does.
He also has a clear leadership quality that extends beyond the bar. Bar Rescue fans will remember the episode “I Know What You Did Last Summit,” where it was Rob who stepped out and got an anxious owner back on target. In both hospitality and entertainment, it’s too easy to lose sight of why you’re there and focus on the bottom line or the end goal. Rob cares about the individuals he’s around beyond just training them or putting on a great show. That, too, is an increasingly rare quality given how competitive both industries are. But he sets an example for other people in mentoring or leadership positions to follow.
Now Rob is finally opening up his own bar, and I have no doubt that Sip Boldly Lounge is going to be a success. Obviously it will have a remarkable selection of drinks. But it’s also going to be fun and a place where everyone can feel comfortable, whether they’re a cocktail aficionado or somebody who’s brand-new to mixology. Rob has set that tone of enjoying every experience and helping others to find their joy. What he’s doing is far more than just making drinks—he’s someone we can all learn from.
Sip Boldly Lounge opens in Nashville, TN on Friday, Sept. 1. For more about Rob Floyd and all of his ventures, visit Rob Floyd Entertainment.
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