Luis ‘Lu’ Lopez, Bar Director

Born in Medellín, Colombia, and raised in Las Vegas, Lu has been immersed in the hospitality world since he was 16. His passion for the industry grew from the realization that some of his most cherished memories with friends and family were made in bars and restaurants—places where communities connect, unwind, and thrive through good food, drinks, and music. This inspired him to contribute to that culture and create meaningful experiences for others.

In 2017, Lu met Sam Ross, celebrated bartender and owner of Attaboy, who was consulting on a new project opening on the Strip at the time. Sam became a mentor, as Lu stepped into the role of General Manager for the Cocktail Collective (Dorsey, Rosina, Electra) projects at The Palazzo—a pivotal moment in his career. In 2021, Lu was given the opportunity to help open Youngblood and the reimagining of Noble Experiment and Neighborhood in San Diego. In just under two years, Youngblood earned a spot on the Top 50 Bars in North America list.

After that, Lu worked with the Fairmont Hotel Group, rebooting the bar program at their Del Mar location. He later returned to Vegas to team up with Michelin-starred chef Tetsuya Wakuda as the corporate mixologist for Wakuda.  

Now, Lu is bringing his passion for great drinks and bar experiences to the Arts District and Downtown Las Vegas by partnering with Nivel Hospitality. With a focus on developing intimate cocktail bars that honor the craft he was taught, while also mentoring others with a passion for hospitality, his goal is simple: to create spaces where every guest and team member leaves with a meaningful experience that feels special and worth coming back to.