Thomas Merolla

Thomas Merolla Managing Partner, Traditional Cocktail Co. Beverage Director, Blackbird Ordinary

Born into a family of bar owners, it’s no surprise that Thomas Merolla followed suit. With more than 20 years of experience in the bar managing industry, Merolla currently heads up the bar programs at Purdy Lounge, Blackbird Ordinary and The Bar in Miami, FL.

Raised in Rhode Island, Merolla made the move down south to Miami soon after turning 18 years old. He received the BAR 5-Day certification and began working at Morgans Hotel Group’s famed Delano South Beach and Mondrian South Beach hotels, starting off as a bartender before moving up in the ranks and becoming Assistant Bar Manager. After 14 years, Merolla parted ways with Morgans Hotel Group and transitioned over to Living Room Bar at W South Beach where he led the bustling lobby bar as the Bar Manager.

Feeling the need to start something of his own, in 2009 Merolla launched Traditional Cocktail Co., a beverage consulting company, and worked on openings of notable Miami hotels including The Betsy, Shelborne, St. James Royal Palm and SLS South Beach. With Traditional Cocktail Co., Merolla has worked to curate cocktail programs for a variety of upscale events, both private and corporate, including the Latin Billboard Awards, The Masters, South Beach Food and Wine Festival, Art Basel and Miami Polo Tournament. He is also credited with the creation of the first weekly industry night party in Miami, “Night Nurse” at B Bar at The Betsy Hotel.

Merolla currently serves as the Beverage Director for Blackbird Ordinary. A dedicated, hard working individual, Merolla is known as “the educator” to those he works with and is often credited with launching the careers of many young bartenders in Miami.

When Merolla is not behind the bar, he can be found enjoying his free time with his fiancée and three children, or found at an antique store, thrifting for bar-related tools and one-of-a-kind glassware.