Don Lee

The Climb

In bar programs built around precision, Don Lee moved from service into authorship of the drink list itself: bartender at Pegu Club, opening beverage director at PDT, and developer of the hard spirits and cocktail program at Momofuku group. Each post widened the same discipline, tight control of flavor, structure, and service, before a brief turn as beverage director at Golden Cadillac in 2014.

Today

At Cocktail Kingdom, Don Lee works as designer, technologist, philosopher, and educator, while at Existing Conditions, which he co-opened in 2018, that same technical focus remains on the floor. The through line is not scale, but method: using tools, systems, and education to keep cocktail work exact.

In Their Words “Why was it so good while every other cocktail I’ve ever had was so bad?”

Career - designer, technologist, philosopher, and educator, Cocktail Kingdom - co-opener, Existing Conditions, New York, NY (2018–present) - bartender, Pegu Club - opening beverage director, PDT - developer of the hard spirits and cocktail program, Momofuku group - beverage director, Golden Cadillac (2014)

FAQ What is Don Lee's current role? Don Lee is Co-opener. Where did Don Lee work before? Don Lee's earlier career included Pegu Club, PDT, and Momofuku group.