Kitty Bernardo
Paradise Lost | New York
February 2025
From an early age, Kitty Bernardo knew they didn’t want to work a desk job. Originally from New Brunswick, New Jersey, Bernardo attended Rutgers University where they studied psychology, women’s studies, and philosophy while developing an interest in food ethics and policy. They got their start in the restaurant industry working at farm-to-table restaurants in Princeton, New Jersey. As a bartender at The Dinky Bar & Kitchen, Bernardo connected with Bartender Adam Flocke, who helped them grow their skill set and expand their cocktail knowledge. While grabbing a drink at Catherine Lombardi in New Brunswick, Bernardo met Bartender Christopher Stanley. He quickly became a mentor to Bernardo, sharing his vast wine and spirits knowledge and his love for classic cocktails.
In 2018, Bernardo moved to New York and joined the team at Sunday in Brooklyn before they accepted a bartending job at Bar Goto under Bartenders Mathew Resler and Kenta Goto. There, Bernardo expanded their skills while also hosting their own pop-up, Spoopy Pop-Up, on the side to flex their creativity with cocktails that play with the macabre and magical. After a few years at the Japanese- inflected bar, Bernardo joined the team at Paradise Lost in 2023 as head bartender. Now as bar manager, Bernardo has implemented a barback-to-bartender training program, along with monthly education sessions with beverage brands to bolster their team. At the punk tiki bar, Bernardo embraces the demonic and camp, while infusing their own Filipino background into their drinks, like with their Shattered Conch cocktail with Spam fat-washed mezcal, rum, toasted rice syrup, and nutmeg.
