Sean Kenyon is the bartender (and sometimes co-owner) of three award-winning Denver locations, Williams & Graham, Occidental and American Bonded. We travel around the family tree from his grandfather, father, mother and his brother and their dedication to hospitality. We hear no shortage of “isms” from the Kenyon family on their approach to the industry over the years. Sean surrounds himself with the best people he can to uphold his family tradition at his three establishments. We had the great opportunity to chat with Saydee Hopkins who went from host to running the show.

Website - williamsandgraham.com

Facebook - /seankenyon13

Instagram - @seankenyon13

Twitter- @seankenyon

Where were you born / raised?

Northern NJ, Glen Rock

First job in the industry?

Dishwasher, 12 years old, the Cellar Door Ridgewood NJ

Proudest moment of your career?

Celebrating the 8th Anniversary of W&G

Two things most people don't know about you?

I played bass in punk rock bands and moved to Austin TX from NJ to play SXSW. The band broke up soon afterwards.

I ran a gentlemen's club in Austin for 10 years in the 90's

Food and/or drinks staples in your house?

Chicken Thighs. Wine. COFFEE

Words to live by?

Every saint has a past and every sinner a future. People fuck up but it doesn't mean they are irredeemable.

And don't throw your own birthday party. Meaning, don't celebrate yourself too much.

Sean Kenyon is a third generation Barman, his Grandfather, Mother and Father have been pub owners and bartenders in New Jersey since the 1930's. Over the course of his 33-year bartending career, Sean has managed bars and cocktail programs in New Jersey, Texas and Colorado and consulted on several national programs. In 2011, he realized a lifelong dream and opened Williams & Graham in Denver, CO. And in 2015 Williams & Graham was listed as one of the “World’s Top 50 Bars” By Drinks International magazine. National media such as Food & Wine Magazine, Imbibe Magazine, Wall Street Journal, CNN, Playboy, USA Today, and Esquire have recently recognized his beverage programs. At the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards 2014, Sean was honored as the American Bartender of the Year. At the same award show in 2015, Williams & Graham was named American Cocktail Bar of the Year. In September 2015, Sean and his partner, Todd Colehour opened Occidental, a casual companion to Williams & Graham. Occidental has since been honored as one Esquire Magazine’s Best Bars in America (2016) and Playboy Magazine’s Top Ten Bars (2016). And, in 2018, Sean opened American Bonded a two level whiskey bar in Denver’s ballpark neighborhood. Since 2012, Sean has also been working with Liquid Productions executing large-scale events, educational seminars and cocktail competitions (amongst several other projects). He feels blessed to be able to make a career out of something he loves so giving back to his community has always been a top priority. He works with several local Denver charities.