Rob Floyd is undoubtedly the premier mixologist in the world. But he has also built a beverage-entertainment company that encompasses global partnerships, live events, a presence on social media, TV, a book on Amazon, cruise ship events, and more. We interviewed Rob to see how his entrepreneurial journey started and how it has grown.
How did you start your career as a mixologist?
It all began somewhat accidentally. I got into the bar business, as so many do, when I simply needed a job and found myself behind a bar. But very quickly it became clear that what I was doing wasn’t just serving drinks, it was creating experiences. I absolutely love making people happy, and the interaction every night feels like anything can happen. One study says people laugh and smile about 17 times a day. In a truly great bar, you might get 17 smiles an hour.
As I refined my style, I embraced the idea that the cocktail isn’t just a drink, it’s a story, a moment, a production. In time, I founded Rob Floyd Entertainment (RFE) to execute that vision: a global mixology practice specializing in live and virtual events, consulting, and training.
From that foundation, I began designing programs, training staff in over 75 countries, performing at major award shows, and building out the business side, not just the bar side. The journey from bartender to CEO of a beverage-entertainment company was really about seeing the intersection of hospitality, entertainment, and brand experience.
Your company puts on “Cocktail Theatre” — what’s that?
Cocktail Theatre is our signature live-event format, essentially where entertainment meets exceptional cocktail craftsmanship. We have been taking “Cocktail Theatre” out into the world since 2012.
The idea is that you don’t just have a bartender at the back mixing, you have a show; you have a theme; you have a narrative; and you have beverage artistry, flair, and theatrics. Whether it's a Super Bowl client, a corporate event, or a lavish private home, the audience is drawn into the story behind the drink.
The business logic behind it is that brands and events increasingly demand immersive, memorable moments—so we created a high-end, scalable service that marries mixology with performance, branded for the client. The script for the event can be custom-tailored and work great at company off-sites, holiday parties, and executive events.
What do your live cocktail parties encompass?
At RFE we offer “Live Cocktail Parties” as one of our event service categories. These include everything from intimate gatherings to full-on production events, with a team of world-class mixologists creating handcrafted cocktails and guiding guests.
Guests don’t just drink—they participate, learn, and enjoy. We might design a signature drink; walk participants through the process; provide cocktail-making classes on site; and add team-building layers for corporate groups. I love the team-building events because they are so fun and energetic, but also have an interactive “Top Chef” aspect.
From an operational perspective, our mission is to elevate the art of cocktail making, providing unforgettable experiences and expert training for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
So when you engage us for a live cocktail party, you’re engaging not just a bartender but a curated mixology experience: planning, design, execution, and after-event support if needed.
You also provide customized staff training for bar professionals and menu creation. Tell us about that.
Consulting is a major pillar of the business. We help bars, hotels, and brands with staff training, menu creation, bar operations consulting, and drink menu design. For example, our barmenu creation service gives you innovative menus, optimized offerings, and helps you stay ahead of trends.
In staff training, we have a trademarked teaching program used globally—we have trained over 8000 bar professionals worldwide.
Operationally, we consult on bar efficiency, profitability, menu logic, bartender performance, and brand alignment of the beverage program.
So from a business perspective it's about turning the art of mixology into a scalable asset for hospitality venues, which means systems, training, brand thinking, and profit metrics—not just the “cool cocktail” part.
What are your virtual cocktail events?
With the rise of hybrid work, remote teams, and global audiences, virtual events became a meaningful extension of our business. We host virtual mixology classes, virtual cocktail-making sessions, and virtual team building for remote groups.
We’re set up with a state-of-the-art studio, professional director on set, leading digital cameras, and high production value. Our viewer retention rate for those events is 89%, well above industry standard.
From an entrepreneurship lens, virtual events turn what used to be location-bound into scalable, global offerings. For brands, it means you can engage far-flung employees, clients or communities with the same RFE experience virtually. I view it as the logical next evolution of our live-event business.
You also do cruise ship events in partnership with Princess Cruises. What does that entail?
That partnership is a real highlight. We are the global mixology partner for Princess Cruises across their fleet. I have worked with their Global Food & Beverage VP, Sami Kohen, for many years, and he is one of the best in the business, always striving to provide the best customer experiences around the world.
What this means is that we design and execute beverage-entertainment programs onboard, across multiple ships, integrating with their guest-experience model. In effect, we bring our brand and Cocktail Theatre environment into the cruise-ship hospitality world. From an entrepreneurial standpoint, this is a high-leverage contract: volume, scale, recurring bookings, global reach.
So it’s not just events. It’s publishing, licensing, brand extension; it’s taking the mixology business into multiple product lines.
What is the book you just published on Amazon?
The title is "Sip at Sea: A Princess Cruises Cocktail Collection." It was created in partnership with Princess Cruises and is now available on Amazon and across all 17 ships in their fleet.
What makes it interesting is that it’s interactive: full-color photos, step-by-step recipes, backstories, and QR codes that link to “how-to” video tutorials featuring me.
The book also features some celebrities shaking up cocktails with me. There is a video of Matthew and Camila McConaughey mixing up a margarita. You can taste and view cocktails with Jason Momoa and Liev Schreiber. It’s really so much fun, and there isn’t another book like it out there.
Guy Fieri and José Andrés, award-winning chefs and stars, have worked with you. What do they say?
It has been so remarkable, and I am so grateful. The feedback from industry luminaries helps validate what we do. For example, José Andrés, the James Beard-award-winning chef and humanitarian, said: “Rob Floyd is the Delta Force of bar training. We opened up The Bazaar and SLS Hotels to great success, including a James Beard nomination. He is a pleasure to work with in all aspects of culinary and hospitality. Rob’s standards are like no other!”
And Guy Fieri, Emmy Award winner and Food Network star, has said: “Rob is a brilliant mixologist and one hell of an entertainer and performer. It is incredible to see the cocktails he comes up with, always delicious and fun to make. His programs are truly exceptional and one of a kind. Working together is always a blast.”
These endorsements do more than flatter; they reinforce our brand equity, enabling access to high-end clients, celebrity events, and strategic partnerships.
Tell us about your television career.
My television career has been a significant acceleration for the brand. I have served as a resident mixologist and contributor on the TV show Bar Rescue for over 10 years.
On TV, I don’t just mix drinks. I am part of telling the hospitality story, operational turnarounds, staff training, and bar service excellence. These tie directly into what we stand for.
John Taffer, the star/host of Bar Rescue, has been spectacular to work with and learn from.
I have also been fortunate enough to appear regularly on The Today Show, Access Hollywood, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Fox & Friends, and other media.
From a business viewpoint, this kind of media presence elevates my personal brand, which elevates the corporate brand, which enables premium collaborations, licensing, and product lines.
How did you become known as the “Celebrity Mixologist?”
I think it came from my partnerships with some of the most incredible talents around the world. From Matthew and Camila McConaughey, artist Romero Britto, Jon Bon Jovi, Liev Schreiber, Jason Momoa, and others. I have been blessed to work with some incredible people.
In particular, I recently worked with Cardi B on a new vodka-infused whipped cream called Whipshots. It's designed to turn up the volume on your cocktails, desserts, and late-night cravings!
What is one of your signature cocktails?
My book "Sip at Sea: A Princess Cruises Cocktail Collection" has close to 300 pages of descriptions and recipes. Here is one of my favorite ones:
Sandia En Fuego:
Sandia En Fuego is a tribute to juicy watermelon and a kick of spice. In Yucatan, people love munching on watermelon to beat the heat, and here, spices are added to boost those feel-good hormones activated by the touch of heat. Enjoy this delightful drink with the magic of volcano salt, sweet watermelon, and top-notch tequila sprinkled with pepper.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Don Julio Reposado Tequila
- 1 Serrano Pepper
- 5 Watermelon Cubes
- .75 oz Agave
- .75 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- Glass: 10.5 oz Rocks
- Garnish: Rim with black volcanic salt, serrano pepper, and watermelon
Directions:
In a cocktail shaker, muddle serrano pepper and watermelon. Add Don Julio Reposada Tequila, agave, and lime juice. Shake with ice and strain into a volcanic salt-rimmed glass with fresh ice. Garnish with watermelon and serrano pepper.
What charitable activities have you been involved in?
It has been such an honor to work with Chef José Andrés on his incredible World Central Kitchen Charity. I have also been involved with the Fox Chase Center, Scott Hamilton Cares, Just Keep Living with Matthew McConaughey, and Women of Today.
How can people see all of what you are doing?
We have a full digital presence:
- On Instagram: @drinkwithrob
- On TikTok: @drinkwithrob
- Our website and blog: www.robfloydent.com
- On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-floyd-83a2002
You’ll find short videos, cocktail recipes, behind-the-scenes of events, interviews, and ongoing brand content.
Conclusion
What we see with Rob Floyd is a textbook case of turning a craft (mixology) into a full-fledged business enterprise that spans service, training, entertainment, media, and product. The art of the drink meets the business of experience—and he has built a company that leverages storytelling, brand partnerships, and high-end events to scale beyond the bar.
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