PRESS

“Tobin Ellis is an innovator of the bartending, hospitality, and nightlife experience.”
- Chilled Magazine

“A shot of adrenaline”
- The New York Times

"Thanks to Tobin Ellis’ decades of experience opening hotels, bars, and restaurants Barmagic's insights into operational design are unique, efficient and most important, aesthetically functional."
- Hospitality Design Magazine

”Don’t let the big smile and the flair fool you, Ellis is all business”
- Emmy-nominated Iron Chef Bobby Flay

"Ian Schrager’s latest boutique hotel boasts four fabulously unique bar venues with cocktail concepts by Tobin Ellis.”
- Tasting Panel Magazine

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

Featured

Alia Akkam, Editor, Hospitality Design Magazine

“Thanks to Tobin’s decades of experience, Barmagic’s insights into operational design are unique, efficient, and most important, aesthetically functional.”

Anthony Torres, V.P. Restaurants & Bars, Kimpton Hotels

“Tobin is truly one of of the great innovators/creatives in the business. How he approaches design, efficiency and hospitality are unique to who Tobin is and provides a holistic approach to his work.”

Rachel Antelak, V.P. Innovation, Starbucks Coffee Company

“Tobin has a unique ability to set a vision for the customer experience and design the details to deliver the vision.”

Derek Brown, Owner, Columbia Room (Washington, D.C.)

“Tobin is tops when it comes to bar design. His designs are nothing short of game-changing. Computers had Steve Jobs, bar design has Tobin Ellis.”

Neyah White, Partner, Bees Knees Snacks & Drinks

“Tobin is without a doubt the gold standard for progressive bar design.”

Lauren Rinkey, Director, Absolut Vodka

“Tobin is an absolute pleasure to work with. He is a creative genius who I can always rely on to develop turn-key concepts to generate brand buzz.”

Simon Ford, Founder, 86 Spirits Company

“Tobin is head of one of the most multi-skilled consulting companies in the business, from concept design and execution, it’s great that such a company exists.”

Jen Robinson, CEO, Pineapple Group LLC

“Tobin is one of those unique individuals who has the ability to see a project and bring it to life, perfecting the details for functionality, yet ensuring the vision of the client is not lost. He is focused, detailed and organized, not to mention highly respected among peers. He is one of the most creative individuals I have met and has his finger on the pulse of the industry.”

Kevin Dott, General Manager, Lake Placid Lodge

“I worked with Tobin at the Greenbrier Resort during a renovation. Tobin was exciting and inspiring to work with, he designed effective and efficient bars. I would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with him at any time in the future.”

Steve Luttman, Founder, Leblon Cachaça

“Tobin is in tune with the latest in everything— from consumer trends and how to create buzz, to using technology to streamlining bar operations.”

Paula Breed, CEO, Monalto Inc.

“Meeting Tobin is like meeting genius! I have had the pleasure of working with him on several occasions and he is a true expert in his field.”

Gunnard Cunningham, General Manager, The Savannah Golf Clubs

“Tobin’s knowledge, style, and skill set allow him to successfully navigate any environment from vintage to cutting edge. Tobin proved to not only to be creative and innovative in his offerings but also in his approach to execution.”

AWARDS

Industry Impact Award
Top 5 Finalist
Bar & Restaurant Show, 2024

Imbibe 75 Award
Honoree
Imbibe Magazine, 2021

Best Cocktail Bars in Every State
Humpback Sally’s, North Dakota
The Daily Meal, 2020

The 27 Best Bars in America
The Greenbrier Lobby Bar
Esquire Magazine, 2019

Best Place to Drink in Every State
LÜFT Rooftop Beer Garden
Jetsetter Magazine, 2018  

Best Mai Tais in Honolulu
Waikiki EDITION [Modern]
Coastal Living Magazine, 2018

A Hidden Bar or Restaurant in Every State
510.2, North Dakota
USA Today, 2017

FSCI Product of the Year
Tobin Ellis Cocktail Station by Perlick
Top 10 Finalist, the Americas, 2016

Gold Award Winner
Tobin Ellis Cocktail Station by Perlick
GOOD Design Awards, 2015 

PCDA Design Award
Runner Up, Commercial Interiors
PCDA PIPP Awards, 2014  

 Best Cocktail Bar
Whiskybox, Honorable Mention
 Readers’ Choice Awards, 2014

Best Hotel Opening
The Waikiki EDITION
Hotelchatter.com, 2011

Best Mixology Event
Social Mixology
Seven Magazine "Best in the City" Awards, 2010

Winning Cocktail
Sao Paolo Flip
USBG Nat’l Finals, 2009

Best Mojito
Shadows on the Hudson
Best of Hudson Valley, 2009

Best Late Night Bar
Thirtynine Hotel
 Best of Honolulu, 2008

Best Ambiance (Bar or Lounge)
Thirtynine Hotel
 Best of Honolulu, 2008

Winning Cocktail
Dos Cubanos
Throwdown with Bobby Flay, 2008

Best Cocktails
Tangerine Bar & Lounge
Las Vegas Epicurean Awards, 2007

Best Singles Bar 
Shadows on the Hudson
Best of Hudson Valley Awards, 2007

Best Drink
Tangerine Mojave
Food Network Challenge, 2006

Best Hotel Bar
Tangerine Bar & Lounge 
Las Vegas Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards, 2005

Best Cocktails
Tangerine Bar & Lounge
Las Vegas Epicurean Awards, 2005

Best Lounge 
Tangerine Bar & Lounge
Las Vegas Epicurean Awards, 2005

Best Locals Night
Tangerine Bar & Lounge
 Las Vegas Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards, 2005

Best Margaritas
The Stoop (Syracuse, New York)
New Times Readers Awards, 2001

Best Margaritas
The Stoop (Syracuse, New York)
New Times Readers Awards, 2000

TELEVISION APPEARANCES
Food Network (four times)
A&E
Travel Channel (twice)
Spike TV
E! Entertainment
Showtime
Fine Living
UPN
NBC (twice)

CONSUMER PUBLICATIONS
New York Times
Washington Post
Las Vegas Weekly (eight times)
London Sunday Times
Wall Street Journal
Wired Magazine
The Las Vegas Journal-Review (twice)
El Heraldo

INDUSTRY MEDIA
Restaurant Development + Design
Tasting Panel
Imbibe
Foodservice Equipment & Supplies
Australian Bartender
Nightclub & Bar
Neat Pour
Bar & Beverage
Movers & Shakers Podcast
Class
Cheers
Flavour
Chilled
American Mixologist

SPEAKING CIRCUIT
Arizona Cocktail Week
Bar Convent Berlin
Bar Convent Brooklyn
Bar Design Exchange
Bar & Restaurant Show
Further Future Festival
Hospitality Design Expo
London Cocktail Week
Manhattan Cocktail Classic
NAFEM
Nightclub & Bar
Pacific Cocktail Sessions (Hawaii)
Rochester Cocktail Revival
San Antonio Cocktail Week
San Francisco Cocktail Week
Tales of the Cocktail
WSWA