Rob Mariani is a world-travelling cocktail enthusiast. After years bartending, first in New Zealand then in Washington D.C, Mariani landed in Durham, North Carolina to work in the craft cocktail bar Alley Twenty Six.
Most recently, Mariani and business partner, Shannon Healy, launched a house made tonic syrup under the name Behind The Stick Provisions. Their foray into the beverage industry stems from a desire to bring the philosophy of making the best cocktails using the best ingredients available for home use.
Born in Tallinn, Estonia and raised in and around NYC, Rob Mariani moved to Los Angeles for a career in the film business, but found his calling in the cocktailing world after a stint working in New Zealand during the early 2000s. He returned to the US and worked in high end restaurants in Washington DC, including Oyamel (José Andres’ Think Food Group) and The Oval Room (Knightsbridge Restaurant Group), and Agraria with Derek Brown.
An avid eater, drinker, and traveler, Rob continues to pick up tastes, tips and ideas in New Zealand, India, Thailand, Europe, and the Caribbean.