A tradition is older than the modern cocktail itself. Long before the term “cocktail” existed, punch was bringing people together around a shared bowl. Originating from trade routes connecting India, Europe, and the Middle East in the seventeenth century, punch became a symbol of exploration, cultural exchange, and hospitality. At its core, it was never just a drink.
It was an experience meant to be shared. Today, at Punch Room inside The Tampa EDITION hotel, Nihat Cam is keeping that experience alive—one bowl, one conversation, one Altamura Vodka cocktail at a time. Punch Room Tampa is intentionally intimate. Tucked away within The Tampa Edition, it feels like a hidden world where time slows down and conversations take center stage.
The room combines rich textures, warm lighting, and understated elegance, with punch bowls visible both as decoration and daily use. What truly defines the space is its energy. There is no rush. No pressure. The room encourages genuine interaction, whether between guests at the bar or among friends gathered around a bowl of punch. It is a space built around the timeless idea that great hospitality begins with meaningful human connection.
Nihat Cam is the Director of Bars at The Tampa EDITION. Originally from Turkey, he has spent more than a decade building beverage programs rooted in hospitality, culture, and storytelling. His career has taken him through luxury hotels, award-winning cocktail bars, and international beverage projects. His approach is deeply personal and culturally rooted. Growing up in Turkey, welcoming guests was instinctive, shaping his core philosophy: service is not transactional, but a moment of care.
“There is always this special touch that comes from your culture,” Cam says. “Turkish Tea or Turkish Coffee are served without an ask; it’s part of hospitality to welcome guests, to show care. That perspective alone elevates my work by shifting the focus from delivering a product to creating a meaningful human experience.”
Tampa—a city shaped by different cultures, histories, and perspectives—is the perfect place for Cam’s philosophy. Everything he and his team do at Punch Room is grounded in the belief that bars are modern gathering places where stories begin, friendships grow, and memories are made.
“A beautifully made drink means little if it is not accompanied by warmth, authenticity, and genuine care,” he says. “The role of a bartender is not simply to mix ingredients but to create an environment where people feel welcome, valued, and connected.” “This is not only ‘one person effort,'” Cam adds. “Without my talented team and curious minds of my bartenders, it is impossible to do.” The menu is rooted in one of the oldest cocktail traditions in the world: punch.
Four elements define a punch-style drink: base spirit, acid, sweetener, and dilution. Today, with modern mixology, tea and spices together serve as the fifth element. Each cocktail is inspired by the movement of people, ingredients, and ideas across North America. Tea, spices, citrus, indigenous fruits, and spirits become storytellers, reflecting North American heritage and Cam’s passion for bars and experiences gathered throughout his career.
The Altamura Distilleries Experience
The Altamura-inspired cocktail is called Virgen. One of the non-alcoholic signatures, it incorporates hibiscus (Jamaica), sun-dried chili peppers, demerara, cinnamon, allspice, lime, salt, and CO2. Cam describes it as “a bartender’s carbonated Jarritos”—approachable, refreshing, and bubbly. Butter on the rim with hibiscus and pepper dust gives guests their first impression before the very first sip.
The drink is also served with the option of a base spirit, and it has become a favourite for guests who enjoy a spirit-focused version. Altamura Vodka is the full dive-in version where guests truly enjoy their sip. The combination of Altamura and flavors from the teas and Jamaica create a true balance.
