794: Leo Holtzman, Co-founder of SoCal Cantina and founder of Cocktail Conjuring, Inc.

<p><a href= "https://restaurantunstoppable.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LEO-HOLTZMAN-website.png"> <img class="alignnone wp-image-14453 size-large" src= "https://restaurantunstoppable.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LEO-HOLTZMAN-website-1024x1024.png" alt="Leo Holtzman Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast" width="1024" height="1024" /></a></p> <p>Leo Holtzman is the co-founder of <a href= "https://www.socal-taco.com/">SoCal Cantina</a> and founder of <a href="http://www.cocktailconjuring.com/home.html">Cocktail Conjuring, Inc</a>.</p> <p>Leo first started tending bar in Orlando when he attended UCF triple majoring in Theatre, Psychology and Hospitality Management. Bartending was just a means to an end until he could make it as a full-time close-up magician. Upon graduation he moved back to Miami and worked as a magician/performer for various events and companies while working a few nights a week at Cadillac Ranch. Eventually he became the bar manager of Cadillac Ranch while the performing season was in a lull. In 2012, he wanted to take his talents to Las Vegas and saw that his best opportunity was to work for the new hip and chic hotel, SLS South Beach. SLS had/has plans for a large scale resort in Las Vegas set to open Labor Day weekend 2014. He landed an entry level job at SLS as a bar back at Katsuya’s Dragon Lounge mixology bar. This was his first introduction to the world of “mixology”. He learned everything from the bottom and within 6 months was the head bartender/manager and was in charge of all normal duties of the bar program including cocktail design. During his time with SLS he also took on consulting and worked various events including the Lucky Rice festival and Bacardi Legacy competition. His talents did not go unnoticed and in 2014 he partnered with Patrick Gleber, owner of Tobacco Road, to open Cocktail Collection and put his magic career on hold. Cocktail Collection was the hottest bar in Miami, featuring a rotating original cocktail menu and local artist show cases. Cocktail Collection has received