Origins.
The story behind Drinksbydez.

Before the classes, partnerships, and private experiences, there was simply a passion for hospitality and creating unforgettable moments through cocktails.

The journey began in 2013 in Germantown, Maryland, where Dez started bartending at just seventeen years old at The Greene Turtle. What started as a job quickly became an obsession with energy, conversation, creativity, and the culture surrounding the bar experience.

In 2015, Dez moved to Philadelphia to attend Temple University — a chapter that became the true beginning of Drinksbydez. Between university life, nightlife, and hospitality, the vision started taking shape: cocktails could be more than drinks — they could create connection, atmosphere, and experience.

Late nights behind the bar evolved into curated events, private gatherings, and a growing reputation built through word of mouth, creativity, and presence.

In 2019, the journey moved west to Los Angeles.

What followed became the foundation for Mixology 101, immersive hospitality experiences, brand collaborations, wellness concepts, and the evolution of Drinksbydez into a modern experiential lifestyle brand.

The archive below captures the early years — the first pours, first concepts, first events, and the moments that shaped the vision.