Fluent in German (native), Italian (citizen), English and French.
activities: „culture in beverages“
Successful bar & beverage consultant in the premium hospitality sector with a wealth of international experience, as described “culture in beverages”
in more detail in the following 5 focal areas:
consultancy projects
Lechthaler works with prestigious international architects and interior designers to develop and remodel bar, lounge and cafe concepts.
He applies his long-standing experience, intuition, vision and passion to ensure that planning, interior design and logistics are optimized and efficiency is maximized for the venue.
As an expert, he considers operations from the standpoint of the staff and integrates functional ideas (“design follows function”).
He ensures that psychological aspects and guest behaviours receive adequate attention.
Lechthaler also provides consultancy services for existing restaurant/bar operations, addressing renovation, reorganization and profit maximization.
bar academy
bar coach:
Lechthaler applies his expertise to coach barkeepers and specialists at bars, lounges and cafés in workflows, service, bar equipment, glassware, product selection and contemporary drink philosophy.
He draws up customized service standards and processes for individual businesses and oversees their introduction, making frequent on-site visits to shape the implementation of standards and drive their execution.
quality improvement:
Lechthaler monitors quality, service and workflows in businesses, analysing them with an expert eye and applying his psychological intuition to develop positive solutions.
cocktail philosophy:
Lechthaler trains barkeepers and beverage managers both in mixing classic cocktails and in creating modern, innovative recipes.
He also contributes ideas based on new inspirations, using local and regional ingredients, herbs and products.
Where necessary, Lechthaler is assisted in enquiries by selected professional mixologists at the cutting edge of contemporary trends.
events
For many years, Lechthaler has organized bar & drink catering and event sponsoring for after-show parties at prestigious national and international media events.
He also organizes bar catering for various corporate events.
licences
Lechthaler licenses his name under the tag “signed by LECHTHALER”, which guarantees the flair and quality of the licensed products.
International bar products are marketed under the Lechthaler licence and design.
books
Lechthaler has built a reputation as a writer in Germany and beyond as the author and co-author of over 30 books on bar, cocktail and lifestyle topics from international publishers.
highlights and PROFESSIONAL CAREER
2018
Training and coaching for barmen at the new lobby bar at the MGallery Hotel Vienna, am Konzerthaus, by Sofitel, Accor Hotel Group
Selection of products, glasses and bar equipment
2017
Consultancy for the renovation of the lobby bar at the MGallery Hotel Vienna, am Konzerthaus, by Sofitel, Accor Hotel Group
2017
Development of different bar concepts for luxury hotels in Algeria in collaboration with various interior designers.
Detailed drawings of the bar counters and their back offices from various bars, lounge, cafe, beach club, disco and tearoom, to ensure logistics, operations, efficiency, functionality and practicality.
2016
Cooperation: Varaschin – outdoor therapy & ernesto LECHTHALER
The well-known Italian company Varaschin – outdoor therapy is synonymous for terrace, lounge and pool furniture. www.varaschin.it
LECHTHALER designs for the increased demand for Hospitality and Premium Home Outdoor segment, flexible and functional seat and table combinations. Inspired by the philosophy: “design follows function” LECHTHALER develops with his know-how and his long experience in the bar, beverage & hospitality business, products like “in & out” or “eLement” for Varaschin – outdoor therapy, which are practical and functional in the catering area as well as at home.
2016
Bar standards and training for Starwood hotels & resorts Hainan island/China.
2015
Assisting the opening party for The St. Regis Macao, in bars & cocktails, December 2015
2015
Author of a special cocktail book “Fresh & Pure” for Starwood Hainan Hotels & Resorts, with new creations of signature cocktails, including also a bar & cocktail training.
Behind the scene: Ernesto Lechthaler who specialized with his company on creative beverage solutions, build a culture around beverages at Hainan Starwood Hotels & Resorts, during the “AP 1.000” the Starwood Asia-Pacific Conference, March 2015.
2014-2015
Beverage consultancy for the Bar at the Roccoforte Hotel de Russie, Rome / Italy.
2014-2015
Bar & beverage consultancy & training for the pre-opening of the Grand Hotel Courmayeur Mont Blanc, Courmayeur / Italy.
2014-2015
Bar concept for The St. Regis Macao/China.
2013-2015
Drawings and preparations of bar concepts for the project, “Porto Piccolo”, Sistiana near Trieste / Italy.
Responsible for the beverage sector and the beverage sponsoring.
2014
Expansion to China:
Bar & beverage consultancy and bar training for the Starwood hotel brands, in Shanghai:
Le Royal Meridien Shanghai, Le Meridien She Shan Resort, Sheraton Hongqiao, Westin on the Bund, Sheraton Hongkou, Sheraton Jiading, 4 Points by Sheraton Pudong.
Bar & beverage consultancy and bar training for the Starwood hotel brands, in Hainan:
Sheraton Sanya Resort, St Regis Sanya, Four Points Sanya, Westin Haitong Bay, Sheraton & Luxury Collection Haitong, Le Meridien Shimei Bay, Sheraton & Four Points by Sheraton Shenzhou, Sheraton Haikou, Westin Haikou.
2013
Organization of the cocktail bars for the after-show party of the year, a celebration party for the football club F.C. Bayern Munich, with support by his team.
Responsible for the entire bar & beverage concept and support at the German Film Award in Berlin, including acquisition and support of sponsorship in the beverage sector.
2013
Bar coaching and cocktail trainings for a variety of bars, lounges, clubs, bistros and cafes for Saffron Hospitality in Baku / Azerbaijan.
2012
Support in the beverage and cocktail sector and bar training for the opening party for Sheraton Hotel Macao, the largest Starwood hotel in the world.
2011
Beverage consultancy for the bar and lobby lounge at the Le Meridien Hotel Taipei / Taiwan, including bar & cocktail coaching for their bar employees and bar managers.
2010-2013
Four years of consultancy services for the famous wafer company Loacker in South Tyrol / Italy, concerning renovation, reorganization, quality standards and profit maximization for their coffee shops (in Italy and Austria).
Further assistance in the opening of a new coffee shop In Italy and in international franchising.
2009
Ernesto Lechthaler was invited with his team to the International Gourmet Festival in Abu Dhabi alongside the best chefs in the world, to speak as an international bar and beverage expert about new bar & lounge concepts and to present the new drink philosophy.
2007
In-depth experience on the Asian market in bar consultancy & events in the premium hospitality sector, especially in Taipei / Taiwan.
2005
Moves from bar operations to conceptual and design services as an independent consultant in the national and international premium hotel sector and expansion of event operations.
2001-2003
Organizes the T.com Lounge for Deutsche Telekom at the FC Bayern Munich stadium, serving cocktails and alcohol-free vitamin sports drinks, for VIP guests during football matches – assisted by the proven Lechthaler team.
2000
Spectacular engagement; Ernesto Lechthaler was hired as bar consultant and coach for the bar staff and supervisors of the beverage departments at the new 7-star “Burj al Arab” Hotel in Dubai, one of the most luxurious and high-end hotels in the world.
With a height of 321 meters, it was the fourth tallest hotel in the world and a landmark of the Emirate City of Dubai. The building is unique due to its sail-like cubature and exposed location.
Operator of the hotel is the Jumeirah Group.
1999
Opens various restaurants/bars in Munich, based on personal experience and long-standing contacts with partners; these management activities up to the end of 2004.
1998
Organizes and supervises the VIP Lounge for the global football association FIFA at Hotel Bristol Paris, serving cocktails and drinks to FIFA delegates and high-level international guests during the Football World Cup in France, in the bar/lounge designed especially for FIFA.
Publications in the general-interest and trade press and TV appearances raise ernesto Lechthaler’s profile throughout Germany and beyond.
1997
Invited by the Government of Cuba / International Trade Office / Tourism Office to attend the presentation of a new cigar, with personal reception by Fidel Castro in Havana. Lechthaler as author of “Cuba Classics – Rum, Drinks and Havanas”.
1996
Store opening and lavish photo production of “Drinks in Style”, with fashion designer Gianni Versace.
Fashion by Versace (with star models), teamed with design cocktails by ernesto Lechthaler.
1995
Lechthaler is chosen as one of Europe’s top eight hotel bar managers by representatives from MS Europa / Hapag Lloyd and journalists, and invited to the award ceremony and celebrations on luxury liner MS Europa.
1993
Licensing of the “Lechthaler” brand and launch of partnerships with prestigious international marketing and sales companies in the premium hospitality, bar and lifestyle sector.
1992
Lechthaler starts a further career as an author and co-author of numerous books on bar, cocktail and lifestyle topics.
1991
Launch of “bar und drink catering”, a company for the organization of after-show-parties at premium national and international media events, including sponsor acquisition and integration into event concepts
(Oscars L.A., MTV Music Awards, German Film Awards, German Sport Award, Bambi, Echo, Cannes Film Festival, St. Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow, Kitzbühel Ski World Cup, and many more…).
1990
Under the management of ernesto Lechthaler, the Piano Bar at Hilton Munich Park is chosen by major international names in the pop industry and international journalists as one of the world’s top locations and favourite bars of international pop stars (source: Music Express magazine).
Organizes the cocktail and beverage sector for numerous after-show parties for touring international music stars.
1989
Lechthaler creates the biggest cocktail in the world for the Guinness Book of Records, in a giant glass holding 1,300 litres produced especially for the occasion. A huge spectacle in Germany.
1987
Lechthaler attends an audience with Pope Paul II in Rome and presents a silver cocktail shaker to the Holy Father.
1985-1998
Lechthaler arrives in his favourite German city, Munich.
He is Hilton International’s youngest bar manager, with an extremely successful 13-year spell in charge of the Piano Bar at Hilton Munich Park (to 1998).
Training in hotel bars in South Tyrol, Italy (Abano Terme), Switzerland (Kulm Hotel St. Moritz), the UK (Hilton Park Lane, London) and France (Hilton Paris); courses at English and French language schools.
Completion of numerous international bar, oenology and cocktail courses.
Graduation from Bolzano (South Tyrol, Italy) School of Hotel Management.
German school-leaving certificate (Classical Gymnasium-Lyzeum) in Dorf Tirol (South Tyrol, Italy).
Ernst (“ernesto”) Lechthaler
Born in South Tyrol (Italy), bilingual upbringing (German/Italian).