Francesco Lafranconi

Francesco is a world-renowned mixologist, spirits industry educator and icon of cocktail culture. He is an honorary member of the United States Bartenders Guild and holds numerous accreditations, appointments and certifications. His following and clientele includes A-list celebrities, world-class corporate clients and world-renowned hospitality chefs and operators.

He was the founder and managing partner of MR. COCO, the visionary cocktail lounge at the Palms Casino, which was a finalist for the Tales of the Cocktail Best American Hotel Bar award in 2020.

Previously, Francesco served as Executive Director of Mixology and Spirits Educator for Southern Glazer Wine and Spirits. It was here in 2000 that he founded the Academy of Spirits & Fine Service, which has trained thousands of industry professionals.

His distinguished career also includes tenures at the helm of some of the world’s leading hotel bars — The Gleneagles in Scotland; The Palace Hotel in Gstaadt, Switzerland; The Intercontinental Hotel in Cologne, Germany; and Harry’s Bar and Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Italy.

He has also won some of the world’s most prestigious cocktail competitions, including the Bacardi-Martini Grand Prix World Final and John White Course in Singapore (both involving the I.B.A.), Bartender Hall of Fame Award from Bartender’s Magazine, the Raising the Bar Award from Cheers Magazine, Mixologist of the Year Award from Nightclub and Bar Magazine, Spirit Professional of the Year from Santé Magazine and Tales Of The Cocktail’s Golden Spirit Award.