VOX Table beverage director and Eater Austin 2015 Bartender of the Year nominee Travis Tober will depart from his current role in December. Tober leaves to join Portland's House Spirits as a Director of Education and Advocacy. The distillery is best known as the producer of Aviation Gin, and also makes the Westward Oregon Malt Whiskey and Krogstad Festlig Aquavit brands.
In a social media post on Sunday, Tober said: "I would've never left VOX for anything. But when [you're offered] your dream job it's impossible to say no." He also commented: "It's a great thing to be given full control of a beverage program, and we couldn't have gotten all the hype and accolades [we did] if wasn't for my bar team. I'm sure [they'll] keep on racking up the accolades long after I'm gone." No replacement has yet been announced for Tober's role.
Tober has been a mainstay in the growth of Austin's craft cocktail scene: before his role at VOX, he garnered accolades at the Lobby Lounge at The Four Seasons. Tober also currently serves as Vice President of Austin's chapter of the USBG (United States Bartender's Guild.)