Michael Carlisi
Bar Director
Michael Carlisi is the Bar Manager of Barrio Ghirardelli. Michael has been involved in some of the most formative restaurant and bar entities that have shaped the current culture of the hospitality industry in northern California. Mike first realized his love for food while growing up around the farms of Half Moon Bay. Michael found his way into the restaurant business in 2004 as a bar-back/dishwasher at the high volume bar, Cesar, in Oakland. Years later he would go on to open and run highly revered restaurants such as Paisan, Comal, and The Douglas Room. Michael has also been a contributing member to award winning bar teams such as Slanted Door (during their James Beard Award winning year), Kin Khao (the first year, that led to a Michelin Star) and Rx (which was named one of the top bars on the highly competitive Geary Street corridor by Thrillist in 2016). Michael has improved his skill and accentuated cocktail programs under the likes of Scott Baird (Comal, Kin Khao), Alex Conde (Cesar, Drexl), Eric Atkins (Slanted Door), Mo Hodges (The Douglas Room) and Brian Felley (Benjamin Cooper). His penchant for food, drinks and hospitality in its many forms continues to be his source of inspiration and personal happiness. Michael has carved out his place at the round table of Bay Area's finest barmen, from his humble beginnings as barback to his strong leadership as a manager, to his forward thinking and penchant for fine hospitality.