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.
Fhaye Kerekanich, General Manager
With over a decade of experience in some of Las Vegas’ most prestigious hospitality venues, Fhaye Kerekanich is a visionary leader in crafting memorable dining and cocktail experiences. Their career includes notable tenures at Wolfgang Puck, TAO Group, B&B Hospitality, and Wish You Were Here Group, where they developed a reputation for blending operational excellence with creative design, refined service, and meaningful guest engagement.
Born in the Philippines and having lived in Japan, Fhaye brings a global perspective to hospitality, seamlessly integrating international inspiration with the energy and vibrancy of the Las Vegas scene. Having spent over 25 years living on and off in Las Vegas, Fhaye has an intimate understanding of the city’s culture, trends, and the unique expectations of both locals and visitors. Before entering hospitality, Fhaye served in the military, completing a tour in Afghanistan, an experience that shaped their leadership style, resilience, and dedication to excellence.
Known for a hands-on approach, creativity, and unwavering commitment to team empowerment, Fhaye is equally recognized for their ability to anticipate guest needs, cultivate immersive experiences, and elevate every element of a venue’s operations. Their philosophy of hospitality goes beyond service: it is about creating spaces where every detail matters, every guest feels welcomed and valued, and every team member has the opportunity to grow, contribute, and thrive.
Fhaye continues to set a new standard for Las Vegas hospitality, ensuring that each guest leaves with a memorable experience and every member of the team feels inspired and supported.