Bartending, Cocktails, Booze and Other BS from one of the world's most decorated bartenders.

Bio (as of 2020): Steve Schneider has earned a reputation as one of the most respected and successful bartenders in the industry. Of his seventeen years professionally crafting cocktails, he has spent the last twelve building his career at one of the most highly esteemed NYC cocktail bars, Employees Only, which in 2011 won the coveted “World’s Best Cocktail Bar” award at Tales of the Cocktail. In June of 2016, he became a partner in Employees Only Singapore, the company’s first expansion outside of NYC. During his time in Singapore, Employees Only has been listed as one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars and Steve was in the top ten amongst nominees for “International Bartender of the Year” at Tales of the Cocktail.

Most recently, Steve has relocated to Shanghai where he opened The Odd Couple with acclaimed bartender Shingo Gokan of the SG Group (Speak Low, Sober Company, The SG Club). Last year, he purchased the Elysian Café, a 120-plus year old restaurant in Hoboken, NJ which coincidentally, he used to tend bar at before his time at Employees Only. In 2017 he opened The Strangers Club, a self-funded project with fellow Employees Only Bartender colleagues which was nominated for the “World’s Best New International Cocktail Bar” at Tales of the Cocktail in 2018.

In 2012 Steve won the Cocktail World Cup, an international bartending competition held in New Zealand. He’s also taken home six awards for fastest bartender in different speed competitions around the world. Steve’s long and passionate journey into the industry was most recently chronicled in the hit documentary Hey Bartender (2013), which explored the cocktail renaissance and the inspiring people involved in its movement.

In March 2015, the Nightclub & Bar Media Group honored Steve with its highly anticipated Bartender of the Year award. Hosted by president of the group and host of Spike TV’s Bar Rescue Jon Taffer, the prestigious national nightlife awards program is dedicated to recognizing excellence in bar, nightclub and lounge concept innovation and success.

A former US Marine, Steve’s first career in the military was cut short after a nearly fatal accident left him in a coma. When he miraculously recovered, he took the first job he could find – a position at a local dive bar. However, Steve found himself enjoying the fast paced environment and the science behind creating a truly stunning craft cocktail. He soon turned the initially temporary stint into a serious life change and worked tirelessly with the goal of donning the white Principal Bartender’s jacket at Employees Only. “I almost died in a bar,” Steve says of that night, “And I was reborn in a bar.”

Since accepting his promotion to Principal Bartender at EO, Steve has appeared in numerous publications and TV appearances including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Eater, Gotham, MTV, Playboy, Time Out, New York Observer, Imbibe Magazine, VH1 Big Morning Buzz, Jaime Oliver’s DrinksTube, Watch What Happens Live, ESPN and more. In January 2015 Steve launched his own podcast The Steve Schneider Show (available on iTunes and Google Play) where he entertains and educates listeners about the different facets of the bar industry. The show offered a glimpse into Steve’s fast paced lifestyle and welcome some of the most high profile, inspiring characters who - whether behind the scenes or behind the bar - have helped shape and evolve the bar industry.

Steve continues to strive to be the best and often represents Employees Only as well as the USA in cocktail competitions around the world. Perhaps dearest to his heart however is his passion for inspiring young bartenders and sharing his knowledge and experience of cocktail culture.