Located in the trendy East Village is a new retro-style bar called Romeo’s that has it all- great cocktails, friendly staff, and unpretentious menu started by hospitality veteran, Evan Hawkins. As someone that started his career as a barback and has since been a part of 35+ openings over the course of his career, Evan spent years dreaming up Romeo’s, which officially opened in 2023. We sat down with Evan and chatted all things cocktails, hospitality, and trends in 5 questions:
Pursuitist: Tell us about yourself. How did you get started?
I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and wanted to be movie director / writer but somewhere along the way I got sucked into the restaurant and bar business. I always loved food because my mom was a wonderful cook and wasn’t afraid of trying new cultures and new food.
I started off as a prep cook at Harry’s Farmers market when I was 15, which was like Whole Foods before Whole Foods existed. I chopped hundreds of onions daily, crying against my will on the daily. When I got to college, I got a job as a barback at a music venue. Then one day my bartender passed out in the walk in, and I got my chance to step up to the plate. I basically just made everyone jack and cokes and opened beers. It was terrifying.
After college I continued in the industry working at restaurants and learning all the positions from waiter, to expo, to trainer, until in the mid 2000’s I got a job at a nightclub as the head bartender, and I ended up staying there for 6 years. It was massive and the volume we did I have had yet to comprehend. During that period, I fell in love with cocktails and started competing in competitions.
Then I started winning. From then on, I knew I needed to be in NYC if I wanted to be the best, so I moved to NYC in the Fall 2011 to open the Barclays Arena and the rest was history.
What trends do you see in hospitality right now?
Right now, I am seeing what extremes. Minimalism or Maximalism. It’s either no garnish and clean glassware or it’s insane garnishes and wild over the top drinks. Minimalism was peak for the last couple years, but maximalism is making a comeback. Social media is king and the more you can take pictures of things the better.
What is your secret to success?
Wake up every day and do the thing on your list you hate the most, first. The rest is easy after that.
If you weren’t in hospitality, what would you be doing?
Movies, movies, and more movies. I feel like being a director isn’t too far off from being a restaurateur. Both are captains on a ship trying to keep it afloat and accomplish a unified vision. Directing everyone what to do and making sure you catch all the details.
What are the best bars – besides yours – in New York?
Attaboy will always be close to my heart and my numero uno, but Caffe Dante, Mother’s Ruin, and Goodnight Sonnys would be at the top. The latter two don’t get as much credit as they deserve.
