Celebration of the Life of John Lermayer from World Red Eye Films on Vimeo.

Miami Beach, FL – June 14, 2018 – John Lermayer was an award-winning bartender of the world, best known for his animated personality and enticing cocktails. It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Sweet Liberty’s founding Father, John Lermayer. John was the force and spirit behind Sweet Liberty and one of the most selfless and charitable people we knew. A dedicated father, award-winning bartender, mentor, friend and die-hard New York Rangers fan, John was best known for his animated personality, enticing cocktails, his love for people, travel and his son, Radek. With two decades of experience, Lermayer  garnered worldwide attention from the cocktail community after working in top nightlife spots in NYC, Miami, and the Hamptons. Hailing from New York, the Miami-based bartender gained global recognition as the mastermind behind the awardwinning cocktail menu at The Florida Room at Delano. In 2004, Lermayer move to Miami to start a position at Morgans Hotel Group hotspot Skybar at Shore Club. During this time, he advanced in regional and national cocktail competitions and participated in the prestigious 42 below Cocktail World Cup held in Queenstown, New Zealand. The competition also served as a landmark experience in Lermayer’s career, allowing access to the world’s top bartenders and serving as new inspiration for his trade. Lermayer’s natural aptitude for the trade continued to garner attention, and in 2008, he was handpicked by rockstar designer Lenny Kravitz and Morgans Hotel Group Vice President of Nightlife Ben Pundole, to create a cutting-edge beverage program for a new nightlife space in the iconic Delano.

World Red Eye has gathered some of our favorite moments with Lermayer for family and friends to reflect on. The WRE family will miss your loving spirit. In honor of Johns memory, please attend Thursday June 21st for a celebration of his life. From 7 to 10 pm, guests will celebrate him at the botanical gardens on Miami Beach.

#PURSUEHAPPINESS

Lermayer took on the blank canvas with fervor creating a beverage program and concept that would become known as The Florida Room, one of the world’s most renowned cocktails bars and entertainment destinations. 2008 marked another highpoint in Lermayer’s career, as he was selected by bartending legend Dale Degroff to participate in the “Bar Chef Challenge” at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans. There, Lermayer shocked the cocktail world and took first place, his victory triggering an unprecedented run of cocktail competition awards including the 2009 Canton Bartender of the year, the Hennessey Art of Mixing and the Bols Global Cocktail Challenge to name a few. In 2009, Lermayer was also chosen by the founding members of BAR (Beverage Alcohol Resource) to receive the Chuck O’Conner Scholarship. The scholarship was founded by five of the world’s leading spirits and cocktails authorities, the BAR program equivalent to a Master Sommelier. The next couple of years brought other notable achievements with Morgans Hotel Group. Lermayer was a bartender of the world, and Miami’s craft cocktail and bar scene wouldn’t be what it is today without his knowledge and guidance.

John Lermayer at Florida Room gets Rooted on January 2, 2010

There is not a single human being that crossed paths with John that doesn’t have a remarkable memory with John and experience of being with him. He spread merriment everywhere, lifted every spirit he touched, was a beacon for advice and guidance, was selfless always, completely lived in the moment and had more love to give than anyone you will ever meet in a lifetime…

Josh Wagner

John Lermayer & Granville Adams

John Lermayer & Dan Binkiewicz at That 70’s Bar at Sweet Liberty on October 27, 2017

John was a shining star. Somebody who had “it,” he knew how to live life. He was one of those guys that only comes along once in a million years. To say he had a zest for life would be an understatement. John knew exactly what life was about and that was to enjoy it while you can. And he did. Always smiling and always ready for the next laugh. John was such a genuine person… I hope I laugh as much with somebody as I did with John Lermayer. I will forever miss him.

Dan Binkiewicz

He had a way of making people feel good about themselves. He exuded warmth and showed it through genuine caring. John did things throughout each and every day to put a smile on people’s faces, whether it was a text, phone call, a joke, or a warm embrace – he just wanted to make people smile. The other thing about John is that he was the most generous person I have ever met. He spearheaded a charitable cause for a friend with cancer. Gave to the local schools. Gave to the homeless. Gave to his friends. John never came home from a trip without gifts for multiple people. I think he traveled with a half-empty suitcase so he could have a place to put his gifts. He gave and he gave. And if he wasn’t buying you something then he was introducing you to someone. He was a connector. I can’t tell you how many friends I now have because of him. If I were traveling, he would not only tell me the best bars to go to, but he’d make sure I would have the best company/tour guide. There’s not a city on this planet where he didn’t know somebody. John wanted everyone to be friends!!!!!! Basically, he wanted everyone to have a better life experience. John made the world a better place to live in. He wanted everyone to be happy. And if you didn’t want to pursue happiness, he would do it for you and make you laugh at the same time. I hope I laugh as much with somebody as I did with John Lermayer.

Josh Wagner, John Lermayer, & Michelle Bernstein at Cuba Libre at Sweet Liberty on August 31, 2016

John Lermayer & Michelle Bernstein at Cuba Libre at Sweet Liberty on August 31, 2016

David Martinez, Michelle Berstein, John Lermayer, Gabe Orta, & friends at Dante NYC at Matador Bar at The Miami Beach Edition on October 18, 2018

John was a innovator and visionary that brought a different kind of hospitality to Miami Beach like no one has ever seen, working with him behind the bar at Florida room was a treat to see how he brought the best out of people he encountered in every shift behind the bar.

Gabe Orta

Gabe Orta, Betzy Orzo, John Lermayer, & Robert Pallone at Daniel Boulud Cocktails at December 12, 2011

John Lermayer, Gabe Orta, & Robert Pallone at Daniel Boulud Cocktails at December 12, 2011

Willi Shine Shine & John Lermayer at Appleton Estate Rum Renaissance on April 21, 2012

Josh Wagner, John Lermayer, & Michael Parrish at Appleton Estate Remixology Miami on August 27, 2012

John Lermayer & Galena Mosovich at Fancy Pants Cocktail Party on February 13, 2013

 John Lermayer at 10 Cane Rum Surf’s Up Mixology Contest on February 25, 2013

Phillip Khandehrish, John Lermayer, Randy Perez, Fred Gonzalez, Tom Hiller, Trisha Cancilla, Jake Berenson, Aaron Birnbaum, Joshua Gonzalez, Egor Polonskiy, & Jorge Meruvia at 10 Cane Rum Surf’s Up Mixology Contest on February 25, 2013

Adam Delguidice, Danny Valdez, Daniel Singer, Julio Cabrera, Gabriel Urrutia, & John Lermayer at Most Imaginative Bartender Competition on August 26, 2013

John Lermayer at Dante NYC at Matador Bar on August 18, 2016

John Lermayer & David Martinez at Cuba Libre at Sweet Liberty on August 31, 2016

John Lermayer & David Martinez on Cuba Libre at Sweet Liberty on August 31, 2016