by TM Petaccia

Chris Coleman and Bob Peters at their recent popup event at Elsewhere. TM Petaccia / UP

The signs were there. Bob Peters and Chris Coleman team up for a popup event at Elsewhere. The two pair up for a series of private event dinners. A few weeks back, Peters was spotted behind the stick at The Goodyear House in NoDa. Something was definitely up.

Yesterday, it became official. Nationally touted mixologist Bob Peters is the new beverage director for Built On Hospitality.

“I started talking with Chris over a year ago, plotting and planning every chance we had,” Peters says. “Now that the stars and the moon have aligned, I couldn’t be more excited to work with such amazing people.”

“We feel like we put out a pretty great product in terms of food, service, and atmosphere at both The Goodyear House and Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails, but have struggled for consistency behind the bar,” says Built On partner and executive chef Chris Coleman. “I put a bug in Bob’s ear about a year ago that we would love to have him come on in some way, shape, or form, and those conversations really ramped up in the last few months.”

As beverage director, Peters will oversee the programs at both Built On Hospitality restaurants, including occasionally taking shifts behind the bar. “I’m jumping around from restaurant to restaurant for now,” he says.

Peters earned a reputation for highly creative cocktails. TM Petaccia / UP

Known for highly “mad scientist level” imaginative cocktails and no-ABV beverages along with refined classics, Peters’ main focus has always featured using local products. “I’ve already implemented fresh juice programs at each restaurant with a more focus on local spirits and ingredients,” he says.

“Bob is super knowledgeable and fun to work with,” Coleman says. “He is a great resource for our Built On Hospitality team members. We are currently putting together a team that is ready to attack some really rapid growth. Bringing Bob on now solidifies our beverage game for our current restaurants, and lays a spectacular ground floor for projects we have planned over the next few years.”

Although currently implementing similar beverage initiatives at both restaurants, Peters envisions each eventually taking a separate path. “I would imagine over time, to meet the needs of our guests, each program will develop their own separate personalities. I like the idea of cocktail programs showing me where they want to go,” he says.

Peters began his bartending career at the old Elizabeth Pub in 1997. Self-taught, he worked his way through a number of Charlotte bars and clubs, including Thomas Street Tavern, Tutto Mundo, and Soul Gastrolounge – but it was at Pisces Sushi Bar & Lounge in Midtown where he first started gaining national recognition for the creativity that is his trademark. That was followed by a much lauded stint at The Punch Room inside Uptown’s Ritz-Carlton, where he was named 2015 Global Bartender of the Year for the entire Ritz-Carlton Corporation. Other stints included The Queen & Glass and The Grinning Mule as well as running a successful cocktail consulting business.

He has been a featured mixologist at the James Beard House, Charleston Wine & Food, Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, and Eric Ripert’s Cayman Cookout.

Peters will continue his monthly cocktail classes at The People’s Market in Elizabeth. TM Petaccia / UP

Peters also gained a large local following through his monthly cocktail classes, first at Earl’s Grocery, now at The People’s Market, located in the same building in Elizabeth – which will continue. “They are going to be even better now,” he says.

New seasonal cocktail menus have already debuted at The Goodyear House and Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails.

“I feel so incredibly lucky to finally have my dream job,” Peters says. “Not only do I get to go to work with a chef I admire professionally but who is also one of my favorite people in the whole world, Chris Coleman. I can’t wait to share all the things we are up to.

“It’s going to be so much fun!”