Julio Cabrera

Cafe La Trova

JULIO CABRERA

Maestro Cantinero and Co-Owner

JULIO CABRERA

Maestro Cantinero and Co-Owner

Maestro Cantinero Julio Cabrera’s journey to helming the bar is one filled with rich history and international influence. Growing up in Cuba, Cabrera’s earliest memories are of playing at his father’s 24-hour bar in the front of their house. It was there that he began to develop his love and appreciation for bartending. He attended college and received a degree in engineering specializing in coffee, sugarcane and citrus, and although he held several managerial positions, he always felt that his calling was to be a bartender, a Cantinero.

In 1989, Cabrera made the decision to pursue his passion and has been working in the bartending industry ever since. He boasts a diverse portfolio of international work in his native Cuba, as well as Italy, Cancun and Miami. After winning several Cuban cocktail competitions, he was selected to represent a prominent brand of Cuban rum as a bartender in Italy and gained experience managing events and promotions around Europe.

Cabrera became a member of the International Bartender Association (I.B.A.) years later and participated in the I.B.A. World Cocktail Competition in Slovenia in 2002. From there, he worked as the Bar Manager of the Grand Aqua Hotel and the Condesa Hotel, both in Cancun, Mexico.

In 2004, a serendipitous meeting with the James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein resulted in a long-term collaboration between the two. Cabrera moved to Miami when Bernstein launched her restaurant, Michy’s, in 2006. Two years later, after completing the Beverage Alcohol Resource Program in New York, he collaborated to open Sra. Martinez, managing the bar. His cocktail creations at Sra. Martinez’s helped the restaurant gain recognition in 2012 as one of the 100 best bars in America.

In 2012, Cabrera joined LDV Hospitality in Miami to help open the Regent Cocktail Club becoming the managing partner. There, he and his team of premier bartenders preserved the classic cocktails of the world by only using the highest quality products and techniques.

Later, with his consulting company Red Shaker, Julio created the cocktail program for several hotels and bars around the world, such as Nizuc Luxury Hotel in Cancun, Ball & Chain, Seagrape, Crown Room and 1930’s House at Thompson Hotel, Dolce Italian at The Gale, World Class Bar on Celebrity Cruises and others.

In January 2019, Cabrera partnered again with Michelle Bernstein, her husband, David Martinez, architect Mauricio “Mo” Lacayo and fellow Cantinero, Orestes Pajon, to open Café La Trova, a bar and restaurant in Little Havana celebrating all things Cuban culture, particularly the art of Cantinero-style bartending. It was immediately recognized by both GQ and Esquire magazines as one of the best new bars and restaurants in the county. Currently, Café La Trova is listed on the World’s 50 Best Bars list and North America 50 Best Bars list.

To date, Cabrera himself touts an impressive lineup of awards and recognitions. He won the title of MixItUp’s “The Ultimate Mixology Challenge” U.S. winner in New York in 2011; the Mixing Star U.S. winner in Las Vegas in 2012; and the Diageo World Class USA Finale first runner up in New York in 2013 and 2014. He also was recognized as the 2013 Most Imaginative Bartender of America by GQ, Bombay Sapphire and U.S.B.G. after winning the national finals in Las Vegas. In 2019 Cabrera was named “Best America Bartender” at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. Most recently, he was honored with the prestigious “Roku Industry Icon Award” at the 2023 North America’s 50 Best Bars awards.

Cabrera is currently working on his book and making his dreams come true, mentoring a new generation of bartenders to pass down the legacy of the Cantineros. Follow him at @juliopapadoble.