BAR® – Who We Are
Partners & Faculty
Sean Kenyon
A third generation Barman & Restaurateur, his Grandfather, Mother and Father have been pub owners and bartenders in New Jersey since the 1930’s. Over the course of his 33-year career, Sean has managed restaurants, bars and cocktail programs in New Jersey, Texas and Colorado and consulted on several national programs. In 2011, he realized a lifelong dream and opened Williams & Graham in Denver, CO. And in 2015 Williams & Graham was listed as one of the “World’s Top 50 Bars” by Drinks International magazine. National media such as Food & Wine Magazine, Imbibe Magazine, Wall Street Journal, CNN, Playboy, USA Today, and Esquire have recently recognized his beverage programs. At the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards 2014, Sean was honored as the American Bartender of the Year. At the same award show in 2015 Williams & Graham was named American Cocktail Bar of the Year. In September 2015, Sean and his partner, Todd Colehour, opened Occidental, a casual companion to Williams & Graham. Occidental has since been honored as one Esquire Magazine’s Best Bars in America (2016) andPlayboy Magazine’s Top Ten Bars (2016). In 2018, Sean opened American Bonded a two level whiskey bar in Denver’s ballpark neighborhood. Since 2012, Sean has also been working with Liquid Productions executing large-scale events, educational seminars and cocktail competitions (amongst several other projects). He feels blessed to be able to make a career out of something he loves so giving back to his community has always been a top priority. He works with several local Denver charities.
CERTIFICATIONS /EDUCATION
• Beverage Alcohol Resource® BAR Ready graduate
• USBG Certified Spirits Professional
EDUCATIONAL /TRAINING / SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
• Educational / Training / Speaking engagements
• Tales of the Cocktail 2012-2019 – Varied seminars
• Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits Academy 2016, 2017,2018
• Beverage Alcohol Resource 5-Day Program 2013-2020
• Aspen Apres Ski Classic 2015, 2016
• Kansas City Paris on the Plains Festival 2014-2018
• Deutsch Family Wines & Spirits National Sales Meeting2016
• Frederick Wildman National Sales Meeting 2015
• Pernod Ricard National Meeting 2018
• Portland Cocktail Week 2015-2018
• San Antonio Cocktail Week 2016, 2018
• Manhattan Cocktail Classic 2009-2014
• Thirst Boston 2013-2017
LARGE SCALE EVENT WORK
• Tales of the Cocktail Diageo Party 2009-2019
• Tales of the Cocktail William Grant & Sons Portfolio Party2011-2019
• Tales of the Cocktail Jagermiester Party 2016, 2017
• Tales of the Cocktail Bartenders Breakfast 2010-2016
• Life Is Beautiful Music Festival Las Vegas 2015-2019
• Aspen Food & Wine Classic 2009-2019
• South Beach Food & Wine 2010-2014
• Austin Food & Wine Festival 2016, 2017
• Manhattan Cocktail Classic Gala 2009-2013
• New York City Sherry Week 2016-19
• Espolón Cocktail Fights 2014-present
• Emmy Awards, Los Angeles 2016-2019
• Grammy Awards NYC 2018
• Academy Awards Los Angeles 2016-18
• Super Bowl Week Diageo Activation Super Bowl 48 2014
• Bar Convent Brooklyn Bacardi Gala 2018
• Kimpton Chefs, GMs, Bar Manager conference 2012
AWARDS / RECOGNITION
Denver Magazine 2009 Mixologist of the Year
Domaine De Canton Bartender of the Year global competition 2010 Winner
James Beard Outstanding Beverage Program Semifinalist 2013-2014
Esquire Magazine Top Bars 2013 – Williams & Graham
Esquire Magazine Top Bars 2016 – Occidental
Food & Wine Magazine Best Bars 2012 – Williams & Graham
Playboy Magazine Top 10 Bars in America 2016 -Occidental
World’s Top 50 Bars 2014 – Williams & Graham
Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards 2013 Best American Bartender Finalist
Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards 2014 Best American Bartender Winner
Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards 2015 Best American Cocktail Bar Winner – Williams & Graham
Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards 2014-2020 Best American Bar Team Finalist – Williams & Graham
Nightclub & Bar Bartender of the Year 2014
Nightclub & Bar Cocktail Bar of the Year 2013 –Williams & Graham
Colorado Restaurant Association Bartender of theYear 2019
CONSULTANCIES
Live Nation Amphitheaters – National
Legends – National
Warwick Hotels – National
Sage Hospitality Group – National
Kona Grill – National
Blackbird – Denver
Woody Creek Distillery – National Spirit Brand
Spring 44 Distillers – National Spirit Brand