SEAN MULDOON is the cofounder and managing partner of the Dead Rabbit in New York City, and formerly the bar manager of the Merchant Hotel in Belfast. The Merchant was declared “World’s Best Cocktail Bar” in 2010 at Tales of the Cocktail, and the Dead Rabbit won three awards at Tales of the Cocktail 2013, including “World’s Best New Cocktail Bar.” In 2014, the Dead Rabbit won two further awards at the event, including “Best American Cocktail Bar.” The Dead Rabbit is the expression of Sean’s lifelong dream to combine sophisticated cocktail service with the rich tradition of the Anglo-Hibernian pub.
In his role as bar manager at both the Dead Rabbit and the Merchant Hotel, JACK McGARRY became internationally known for his extensive historically-based beverage programs. For each project, Jack thoroughly tested thousands of recipes from scores of cocktail books from the mid-nineteenth century, which sometimes involved making 50 to 70 versions of a single drink before one was deemed the best. In July 2013, Jack was honored with the prestigious Tales of the Cocktail "International Bartender of the Year" award, making him the youngest-ever recipient and only the second in America.
BEN SCHAFFER has been “the voice” of the Dead Rabbit since even before its launch, writing all its promotional materials, including advertising, website, and social media. In November 2012, Ben co-founded the consulting firm The Best Bar in the World with Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry to offer their hospitality expertise worldwide. Based in New York City, he works as a writer, creative director, and consultant for companies in many industries, including beverages, finance, and the not-for-profit sector.