Charles Joly
Crafthouse Cocktails - Chicago, IL
Charles Joly is a global bartending champion, James Beard Award winning beverage designer, content contributor, speaker and philanthropic enthusiast. With over 25 years in the hospitality industry, he has helped to usher in the modern age of the cocktail. As the official bartender for the Oscars & Emmys over the past 10 years, Charles is the go-to for award-worthy cocktails. Joly has created & served drinks at the Sundance Film Festival, the Kentucky Derby and beverage leadership summits including Tales of the Cocktail, Diageo World Class, Berlin Bar Convent and many more.
As first and only American to achieve a win at World Class sponsored by Diageo, Charles is dedicated to cultivating and educating today’s bartenders and dedicates his time globally to participate in spirited competitions. His culinary roots run deep, as former beverage director at the famed Alinea group’s Aviary in Chicago. Charles’ talents earned him “Top 10 Most Influential Bartenders” by Bon Appetite.
In 2014 he launched his own brand, Crafthouse Cocktails. True, bottled cocktails designed to make high quality, unpretentious beverages accessible and bring people together to celebrate. A partnership with Fortessa Tableware Solutions has delivered a functional and stunning line of bar tools and glassware for the home bartender and professional alike. His designs can be found at Williams Sonoma, Crate & Barrel and other top retailers . In 2021 Charles partnered with the team from Abstract Ice to bring craft ice to cocktail enthusiasts and bars nationwide.
A native of Chicago’s South Side, Charles readily partners with charities dear to him including No Kid Hungry/Taste of the Nation, Meals On Wheels, Habitat For Humanity and many rescue animal organizations. When he’s not mixing up cocktails, Charles is uncovering antiques that he shares on his Instagram account @TellTailVintage, lacing up for a run or trying to keep his many house plants alive.
IG: @CharlesJoly @DrinkCrafthouse @TellTailVintage
