Creative Bartender & Beverage Consultant
With approximately 25 years in hospitality, David creates distinctive cocktail experiences and develops beverage programs that bring together creativity, technique, and thoughtful design.
Born in Bogotá, Colombia, he grew up immersed in the restaurant industry. With parents who owned restaurants, hospitality and guest service were part of his everyday life from an early age, naturally shaping his passion for food, drinks, and creating memorable experiences for guests.
After moving to Miami, he continued along this path, gaining experience in various restaurant roles—from server to bartender—before discovering his true passion behind the bar.
Driven by a curiosity for spirits, flavors, and mixology, he dedicated himself to mastering the craft of cocktails, studying the origins of spirits and the art of balancing flavors that define great drinks. Over time, this curiosity evolved into a professional career.
With over 20 years in the hospitality industry, he has worked at some of Miami’s most recognized restaurants, including Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, National Hotel, The Palms Hotel & Spa, Zuma, River Oyster Bar, EAST Miami, Novikov Miami, and The Bazaar by José Andrés, among others.
Throughout his journey, he has continuously refined his craft, drawing inspiration from world-class cocktail programs and Miami’s finest bars. For him, Miami is more than a tropical city—it’s a global cocktail destination, brimming with creativity, diversity, and innovation.
Currently based in Fort Lauderdale, he works at Sakana Nikkei, where he not only bartends but also developed the restaurant’s cocktail program and provides bar consulting, creating a unique and elevated beverage experience.
Today, he continues to share his passion for hospitality through creative cocktails, personalized drink experiences, and consulting for restaurants aiming to elevate their bar programs.
Every drink starts as an idea, built around the concept it belongs to — never a recipe copied from somewhere else.
Nearly 25 years of craft behind the bar, applied with precision to every program and every pour.
Flavor, presentation, and image working together, so each element is worthy of the experience it creates.
Cocktails, thoughtfully designed.
Three distinct services, each designed on its own terms — and each one tailored to the client it is built for.
For Restaurants
A complete beverage program for your restaurant — designed around your concept, your kitchen, and your guests, so the drinks carry the same identity as the food.
For Concepts & Individuals
A cocktail created from scratch for a single purpose: a signature drink for a concept, or a personal cocktail for someone who wants one of their own.
Corporate & Private
Cocktail service and beverage experiences for corporate and private events — a standalone service, designed for the occasion and the people in the room.
One standard across all three: every proposal is designed to measure — for each restaurant, each person, and each event. Nothing off the shelf.
A book by David Vanegas is in the works. The title and release details will be announced here as soon as they are ready to share.
Ask about the bookA small collection of shirts under the David Vanegas name is being prepared. The first pieces will appear here when the shop opens.
Ask about the shopFor restaurant consulting, a custom cocktail, or an event — tell us what you have in mind. Every inquiry is answered personally.
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