Someone You Should Know: PUBLIC’s Sebastian Puga

What is a Whalebone rooftop-party without a roof? We don’t want to know. You don’t want to know. Nobody wants to know. But someone you DO want to know, and who can often be found on one of the finest rooftops in the city is Sebastian Puga, VP of Brand Experience & Marketing at Ian Schrager’s PUBLIC Hotel, (the NYC roof of which, incidentally was the site of the Whalebone Travel Issue Release Party and where you would have found us had you been in the City Wednesday). Let’s get to know him, shall we?

Where are you from originally and where do you currently call home?
I grew up in Miami, FL. And currently, call the East Village home.

Your job, we imagine, demands you be jet-set. What’s your advice for flying?
TSA pre-check. Carry on only. And a copy of the New Yorker.

Where are your favorite places to travel to?
I’ve been going to Tulum since in 2006. It’s one of the most magical places to relax, with beautiful beaches, great food and service. I also just traveled to Machupichu, which was much more than I expected.

What restaurant do you want to try that you haven’t been to yet?
I’m embarrassed to say, but Eleven Madison Park.

Best piece for advice to take the perfect PUBLIC Instagram?
The escalators, which have been seen around the world!

A post shared by Sebastian Puga (@sebastianpuga) on

Three socials we should follow? 
@publichotels, @ahotellife, and @mauriziocattelan.

Ok. Our cousins from Dubuque are visiting New York City for the first time. We’re putting them up in the PUBLIC (obvs, because, who needs houseguests in a city apartment). What three places are you sending them?
Bar Pitti for pasta, Minetta Tavern for the Black Label Burger, and Attaboy for cocktails!

We’re on the roof of the PUBLIC. Which way should we face?
The bar, because you need another glass of Rosé

The one thing most people don’t understand about visiting New York is:
Everyone walks in the city, even the rich and famous!

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