Since arriving in Chicago in 2015, Robert Shamblin III has built a reputation as one of the city's most innovative and thoughtful beverage professionals. He has developed beverage programs at acclaimed venues throughout Chicago, earning recognition from Forbes, Time Out, Eater, and the Chicago Tribune.
Robert's journey into cocktails was driven by a belief that drinks are never just drinks — they are narratives. Each glass carries the weight of its ingredients' origins, the intention of its creator, and the memory of the moment it was shared.
At Sura, Robert brings this philosophy to life — building a bar program that is as intentional and layered as the dining experience at Tarra, while celebrating Thai-inspired cocktail culture in Chicago.