JOSH SEABURG
Josh is a Norfolk native, and the owner/operator of Model Citizen. For the better part of ten years, he’s run bars and trained bartenders, becoming “the most visible evangelist for the well-made drink in Norfolk”, according to the Virginia Pilot.
In addition to the pop-up, Seaburg is a writer for En Forme magazine, brand ambassador for Tequila Fortaleza, and managing partner in the forthcoming bar Neat Bird, in Chesapeake’s Summit Point.
When not writing, bartending, or developing new recipes and techniques, he’s most likely tending to his garden alongside his wife, Jess, and dog, Booker.
BARS
328 Tequila, Norfolk - A Mexican restaurant opened in 2012, boasting Norfolk’s first expansive agave spirit selection, with over 65 SKUs of pure de agave tequila - no difusor brands.
Twist, Virginia Beach - in its original iteration (long departed), Twist was the first cocktail-focused bar in the area to use all fresh juice, homemade ingredients, and have a fully trained bar team to execute a litany of classic cocktails.
Saint Germain / Elixia, Norfolk - Saint Germain was a high-tech restaurant with a bar to match. It was here Josh learned how to use equipment like centrifuges and sonic homogenizers to create next-level drinks. The sister restaurant, Elixia, focused on tropical drinks, rum and agave.
The Main, Norfolk - A three outlet luxury hotel with multi-million dollar banquet business, Josh oversaw development of the bar programs in its three restaurants, Saltine, Varia, and Grain, as well as implementation of cocktails for high profile banquet events.
crudo nudo, Norfolk - Josh’s current bar of residence. crudo nudo opened in 2018 with him at the bar helm, and after a brief departure to open Heirloom in Virginia Beach, the results of COVID found him back at home in Norfolk, supporting numerous pop-ups, and preparing to open a new concept with owner Eric Nelson later this year.
In addition to training myriad bar teams and individuals, Josh has developed educational materials for Campari America and Rujero Singani. Listed below are some highlights from recent projects.
Portland Cocktail Week Milk, Baby (milk washing safety and procedure), Milk Punch & Fat Washing (a virtual class covering milk washing and more), It's My Infusion and I Need it Now! (rapid infusion techniques)
Bar Institute / Econo Panels on seeking mentorship (Reno, NV), work life balance (Brooklyn, NY)
Chrysler Museum’s Cocktails & Curators A multi-week event series, featuring museum curator’s telling the stories and histories of various works of art from the Chrysler’s extensive collection, paired with contextualized cocktails developed by Model Citizen. Press
EDUCATION & Events
CONSULTING & Brand Work
Josh & Model Citizen are always available to provide tailored education, whether in a professional or home setting. We’ve provided cocktail classes for groups as large as 30 people, ranging from guided tastings of specific spirits, to classes on cocktail templates. We’ve provided training on high-volume craft cocktails to bars such as Hot Tuna & Shorebreak, and developed full-scale cocktail programs for restaurants big and small.
Josh is a brand ambassador for Tequila Fortaleza, with territory in DC, and Maryland, as well as the odd jaunt to Pennsylvania and Georgia. He previously worked with Rujero Singani / Chufly imports in expanding their distribution in Southeast Virginia, and spent two years as the area mentor for Wild Turkey’s Behind the Barrel program.