MARCOS TELLO
Marcos Tello became enamored with the bartender trade while watching his favorite television show, “Cheers,” as a young boy growing up in Los Angeles. He developed a fascination with the relationships that formed around the iconic bar – an impression that continues to drive his work today as one of the most acclaimed bartenders in Los Angeles.

While Tello is mostly self-taught, he furthered his education of the industry under the tutelage of cocktail gurus Sasha Petraske, Audrey Saunders, and Dale DeGroff to both refine his artistry and delve deeper into the history behind the trade. Today, Tello is a B.A.R. (Beverage Alcohol Resource) and WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust) certified bartender who is passionately committed to sustaining a classic “cocktail culture” in Los Angeles. By consulting for various restaurants and lounges Tello has successfully helped to install classically inspired cocktail programs throughout the Los Angeles area, including Seven Grand Whiskey Bar, The Edison, The Varnish, 1886 at The Raymond, Pedaler’s Fork, Killer Shrimp, Los Balcones, and the Los Angeles Athletic Club. He has also consulted for various spirit companies like Diageo, William-Grant & Sons, Pernod-Ricard, Lucas Bols USA, and Selva Rey Rum. Currently he holds the position of National Brand Ambassador for El Silencio Mezcal.

Through his dedication to cementing Los Angeles’ place in the “Cocktail Revolution,” Tello has received international acclaim for his expertise in prominent publications including The Los Angeles Times, New York Times, CLASS Magazine (UK), Food and Wine, Playboy, GQ, Maxim, and Bon Appétit. Tello has also appeared on broadcasts such as The Tom Leykis Show, Access Hollywood, Martha Stewart Radio, CSI:NY, and “Great Cocktails” as well as “Next Food Network Star” for the Fine Living/Food Networks.

Most recently, Tello teamed up with friend and longtime business associate Aidan Demarest to form Tello-Demarest Liquid Assets, a beverage program consultation firm, and also heads up the "cocktail department" of the Hospitality Collective, a full service restaurant consultation group, as well. Tello is additionally the founder and chairman of craft-guild, The Sporting Life.

Though Tello has 15 years of experience in the industry, he continues to measure his success, not by his accolades, but based on the reaction he receives from patrons. He strives to create not just a great cocktail, but a great experience for the person drinking the cocktail.