Miami Connection
Gabriel Orta fundamentally transformed Miami's hospitality and cocktail scene by establishing craft beverage programs and restaurant concepts that became models for the industry. His venues, particularly Broken Shaker and Bar Lab, put Miami on the map as a destination for innovative mixology and elevated dining experiences. Through Bar Lab Hospitality, he continues to shape Miami's food and beverage landscape while maintaining deep roots in the community and mentoring the next generation of hospitality professionals.
About
Gabriel Orta immigrated to the United States as a teenager fleeing violence in Colombia and began his career in hospitality as a dishwasher at a South Beach nightclub in the 1990s. He rose through the ranks, holding every position in food and beverage from barback to cook before launching Bar Lab with business partner Elad Zvi approximately 12 years ago as a beverage consulting company. Their first venture, Broken Shaker at the Freehand Miami in 2012, was originally conceived as a temporary 30-day pop-up but became a flagship establishment that expanded to New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Under the Bar Lab umbrella, Orta co-founded multiple acclaimed venues including 27 Restaurant, Taqueria Hoja, Margot Natural Wine and Aperitivo Bar, and The Anderson. Bar Lab now operates over 20 venues across the country and has received prestigious recognition including Spirited Awards at Tales of the Cocktail and a ranking on the World's 50 Best Bars list. Orta is credited with inventing the Chorizo Cordial and is considered a key figure who elevated Miami's cocktail culture to international prominence.