Hi there! My name is Jeffrey Morgenthaler and I’ve been tending bar since 1996 and writing about it since 2004. I started tending bar while getting my degree in Interior Architecture, and slowly I came to the conclusion that bartending was what I really loved, and that I might as well drop everything and focus on being a professional bartender. Over the years I have strived, both behind the bar and through this website, to elevate the experience of having a drink from something mundane to something more culinary.
If you’d like to read my official bio, here it is:
Jeffrey Morgenthaler is an award-winning bartender, author, and industry innovator based in Portland, Oregon. Since beginning his bartending career in 1996, Jeffrey has worked across the spectrum of bars, from humble neighborhood taverns and bustling college nightclubs to fine dining establishments and upscale cocktail lounges. His expertise and passion for the craft have led him to manage and co-own some of the most celebrated bar programs in the country.
Jeffrey is the co-owner of Pacific Standard, Portland’s favorite hotel lobby bar, where he brings his signature blend of creativity and technical precision to a sophisticated menu of classic and modern cocktails. Alongside Pacific Standard, he has also co-founded The Sunset Room, a vibrant rooftop bar known for its inventive drinks and stunning city views.
Before these ventures, Jeffrey was the driving force behind the bar programs at two of Portland’s most iconic spots—Clyde Common and Pepe Le Moko. Under his leadership, Clyde Common’s bar was nominated for the prestigious James Beard Award seven times, thanks to its innovative cocktail offerings, including the trendsetting barrel-aged cocktails that Jeffrey pioneered. At Pepe Le Moko, he created a unique and intimate atmosphere, serving elevated takes on retro cocktails like the Amaretto Sour and the Grasshopper, further solidifying his reputation for innovation in the industry.
Jeffrey’s influence extends far beyond the bars he manages. He is the author of the best-selling The Bar Book: Elements of Cocktail Technique, the first book dedicated entirely to the techniques of cocktail making, and Drinking Distilled: A User’s Manual, which offers a humorous yet practical guide to drinking well. His work has been featured in major publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Wired, and he has contributed regularly to Imbibe, Punch, and Fine Cooking.
A thought leader in the world of bartending, Jeffrey is also an educator and speaker, sharing his expertise at international events like Bar Convent Berlin, Tales of the Cocktail, and the P(our) Symposium. He is the head judge at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the most prestigious and respected spirits competition in the world, and continues to judge and shape the industry through other cocktail competitions.
Named one of the top ten mixologists in the United States by Playboy Magazine and one of the ten most influential bartenders of the past decade by Food & Wine Magazine, Jeffrey’s impact on the cocktail scene is profound. His legacy includes not only the groundbreaking cocktails he creates but also the countless bartenders he has inspired through his blog, speaking engagements, and educational efforts.
In addition to his bar ventures, Jeffrey has recently collaborated with Ninkasi Brewing Company to create a line of canned cocktails, further showcasing his ability to innovate and adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of the beverage industry.
Whether behind the bar, in print, or on stage, Jeffrey Morgenthaler continues to be a guiding force in the world of cocktails, combining technical mastery with an unwavering commitment to quality and creativity.
