Paul Taylor was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in Arlington, VA. He began his career by working part-time at restaurants while still in college and quickly transitioned into bartending full-time. He is now a high-profile bartender in the District, having worked at various establishments across the city. He is Beverage Director at Columbia Room and oversees the bar menu and drink training and educational program at Drink Company. Prior to this he was Bar Manager of Southern Efficiency. Taylor also helps run Columbia Roomís philanthropic sandwich pop-up, Your Only Friend, an initiative aimed at serving the community to help front line workers.