Behind the Bar at The Edison

A Conversation with Bar Manager Emma Cuccio

Emma C. & Angy P. engage with guests from behind the bar

There is an art to a well-made cocktail, and at The Edison, that art begins with intention.

Inside our historic building in downtown Tallahassee, just steps from Cascades Park, the bar is more than a place to order a drink. It is where evenings begin. Where celebrations take their first toast.

Leading that experience is our bar manager, Emma.

“I’ve always believed a cocktail should feel intentional,” Emma says. “It’s about balance, season, and the mood of the room.”

At The Edison, the cocktail program shifts with the time of year. Spring brings bright citrus and fresh herbs. Cooler months lean toward deeper, spirit-forward flavors.

“When you’re sitting in Cascades Park in the spring, you want something vibrant,” she explains. “The drink should match the moment.”

The building itself also plays a role. The exposed brick and industrial bones of this restored 1920s landmark influence the tone behind the bar.

“This space has history,” Emma says. “I love creating cocktails that feel timeless but still have a modern edge.”

For her, the experience goes beyond what’s in the glass.

“It’s the glassware, the spirit, the way you present it,” she says. “A cocktail should feel like part of the evening.”

Angy P. pours a signature, Smoked Old Fashioned

On any given night, the bar welcomes couples on first dates, families celebrating graduation, friends gathering before a concert, or guests attending private events. It is often where the celebration quietly begins.

“We get to be part of really important moments,” Emma says. “That’s what I love most.”

In a growing Tallahassee dining scene, The Edison bar stands apart not just for handcrafted cocktails, but for the care behind them.

As Emma puts it, “If you’re going to raise a glass, it should be something worth remembering.”