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Nightlife Mogul David Grutman Shares Secrets to Building His Hospitality Empire
The founder of Groot Hospitality and owner of celebrity hotspots like Papi Steak and Liv Nightclub opens up about his rise to the top and how sobriety saved his career.
Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:05pm
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The vibrant, pop art-inspired visuals of David Grutman's hospitality empire capture the energy and excitement of Miami's nightlife scene.Miami TodayDavid Grutman, the 51-year-old founder of Groot Hospitality and owner of popular Miami and Las Vegas venues like Komodo, Papi Steak, and Liv Nightclub, has written a new memoir titled "Take It Personal" that details his journey from bartender to nightlife mogul. Grutman recounts his early days learning to believe in himself, his knack for connecting with customers and up-and-coming musicians, and his eventual decision to get sober in order to save his career and reputation.
Why it matters
Grutman's story provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at the high-stakes world of hospitality and nightlife, an industry that has seen major shifts in recent years. His ability to create vibrant, energy-filled spaces that attract A-list clientele offers insights into what it takes to build a successful hospitality empire, while his candid discussion of his struggles with addiction underscores the personal challenges that can come with rapid success.
The details
After graduating from the University of Florida, Grutman started out as a bartender at a restaurant in Aventura Mall. But he quickly moved up the ranks, becoming a manager and demonstrating a natural talent for connecting with customers of all ages. Grutman's "secret sauce" wasn't just about booking the biggest acts or playing the loudest music, but about cultivating the right energy and vibe in his venues. He also had an eye for spotting up-and-coming musicians and forging relationships with promoters, DJs, and managers. However, Grutman's rapid success was accompanied by a heavy partying lifestyle that eventually threatened to derail his career. He writes about making the difficult decision to get sober in order to save everything he had worked so hard to build.
- Grutman's memoir "Take It Personal" was released on April 14, 2026.
- Grutman founded Groot Hospitality and began building his hospitality empire in the early 2000s.
The players
David Grutman
The 51-year-old founder of Groot Hospitality and owner of popular Miami and Las Vegas venues like Komodo, Papi Steak, and Liv Nightclub. He has written a new memoir titled "Take It Personal" that details his journey from bartender to nightlife mogul.
Kim Kardashian
A close friend of Grutman's who wrote the foreword to his memoir. Grutman recounts meeting Kardashian early in her career when she was known as "Paris Hilton's friend."
What they’re saying
“I want to know everybody. In high school, I was always sort of the class clown.”
— David Grutman, Founder, Groot Hospitality
“I had to go sober... I was going to ruin my life. Everything I worked so hard for was going to be gone. Unlike some people who could probably just do a little bit of drugs... I'm just not that guy. I wanted to go and go and go. But if you ruin your reputation in this industry, it can be very hard to get back.”
— David Grutman, Founder, Groot Hospitality
What’s next
Grutman says there are some upcoming global expansions and new venue openings that he can't discuss yet, but for now he is focused on continuing to provide unforgettable nightlife experiences for his guests.
The takeaway
Grutman's journey from bartender to hospitality kingpin underscores the importance of building genuine relationships, spotting emerging talent, and knowing when to make tough personal decisions in order to protect the empire you've worked so hard to create. His story offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in the competitive world of hospitality.
