Jessica Maria has been a driving force in the Bay Area’s cocktail scene for over two decades. Originally from Boston, she moved west and quickly made a name for herself behind the bar. After 15 years of bartending and managing, she took the leap into ownership, co-founding the Hotsy Totsy Club in 2008. Under her leadership, the Albany-based bar has earned widespread recognition, including a spot on the San Francisco Chronicle’s list of the Top 100 Bars in the Bay Area.

Jessica has showcased her skills on both national and international stages, competing in events like the Herradura Battle of the Tequileros and the Machu Picchu Centennial Pisco Competition in Lima, Peru. Her expertise has also landed her judging roles, including at Diageo’s World Class Competition in Hawaii (2016) and the USA Spirits Ratings panel (2018).

Her contributions to the industry go beyond competitions—Jessica has been a dedicated advocate for the craft, frequently participating in community fundraisers and industry events. She was named a “Bar Star” by the San Francisco Chronicle in 2012 and recognized as one of SF Magazine’s “Ten Females to Watch” in 2018.

Her influence extends into the literary world, with her cocktails featured in books such as San Francisco Cocktails by Trevor Felch and Drink More Whiskey by Daniel Yaffe. The Hotsy Totsy Club itself has been immortalized in Destination Cocktails by James Teitelbaum. In 2021, her work was highlighted in Imbibe, one of the industry’s most respected drinks magazines.

With a deep passion for hospitality, a commitment to innovation, and a love for the craft of cocktails, Jessica Maria continues to shape the future of Bay Area mixology—one perfectly balanced drink at a time.