Jose Torella Jr. resides in New York City but is originally from Valencia, Spain.  He is an expierenced Mixologist and Bartender presently employed at the Barclay Bar & Grill at the Intercontinental New York Barclay Hotel.  At the Barclay he creates the hotel's signature drinks and cocktail menus.  Jose has been featured in TimeOut magazine, NBC Latino and numerous online articles.

Bar Consultant + Hotels / Clubs / Lounges / Restaurants

A typical day for Jose Torrella, Lead Bartender and Mixologist for the Barclay Bar at the InterContinental New York Barclay, might include creating a new concoction for fall—an Espresso and Pumpkin Mudslide made with Grand Marnier, perhaps.

It’s a role he’s relished throughout his decade and a half with the hotel, though not the career he initially chose for himself. He was born in Spain into a family of restaurateurs and bar owners, moving with his family to New York City when he was five. He worked as a bar back at the legendary Barclay Bar to put himself through college and went on to a seven-year career as a paramedic with the New York Fire Department. When he returned to the Bar in his current role, he realized it was his first love.

“I get paid to create exciting cocktails that people enjoy and have fun doing it,” he says. “When you have a love for this field as I do, nothing compares with it.”

Jose brings his creative flair to the development of the Bar’s seasonal drink menus, including cocktails showcasing Calvados, the Barclay Bar’s signature spirit.

“Our Calvados selection helps give guests a sense of New York and the Big Apple, and the cocktails show them that the spirit isn’t just an after-dinner drink,” he says.

Uniqueness and experimentation are hallmarks for Jose, who revels in using blends, foams and other delights in combination with fresh, organic ingredients such as herbs from the InterContinental New York Barclay’s rooftop garden.

The people side of the business appeals to him as well. “Our guests are from all over the world and often include celebrities,” he notes. “It’s exciting to meet those individuals and have the chance to make them feel welcome in our town. But I also love interacting with our regular, local Bar patrons, some of whom have been coming here for 30 or 40 years.

“We keep up with what’s going on in each other’s lives and exchange pictures of our children and grandchildren. They are like family. It reminds me of how great it’s been to have the experience of meeting and making new friends here for 15 years.”








SUITE 1101: PALM BAY CRAFT SPIRITS ← 2013 INDUSTRY INVITATIONAL HOME
THIS EVENT IS PART OF THE 2013 INDUSTRY INVITATIONAL AT THE MANHATTAN COCKTAIL CLASSIC. YOU MUST HAVE AN INVITATIONAL CREDENTIAL IN ORDER TO ATTEND THIS EVENT. CLICK HERE TO APPLY.
VISIT OUR FAQ OR CALL 646-535-5011 FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE.
ENJOY SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF MIDTOWN MANHATTAN WHILE DISCOVERING INVENTIVE COCKTAIL CREATIONS, PRESENTED BY SOME OF OUR INDUSTRY'S RESPECTED AMBASSADORS & MIXOLIGISTS. PALM BAY SPIRITS REPRESENTS MANY OF THE WORLD'S MOST AUTHENTIC BRANDS OF QUALITY CRAFT SPIRITS.

TO VIEW THE PALM BAY CRAFT SPIRTS SUITE SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, MAY 19th, CLICK HERE.

TO VIEW THE PALM BAY CRAFT SPIRTS SUITE SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY, MAY 20th, CLICK HERE.

PENTHOUSE SUITE 1101 – 11TH FLOOR
SATURDAY
MAY 18
11:00AM - 7:30PM
RSVP
SPEAKERS

 BOULARD SEMINAR SPEAKERS & MIXOLOGISTS
 HEATHER MALPASSNATIONAL BRAND MANAGER FOR BOULARD CALVADOS AND SPIRIT FRANCE
 BORIS BURTINBEVERAGE DIRECTOR FOR THE INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL NYC AND BARCLAY CALVADOS BAR
 JOSE TORRELLAMIXOLOGIST FOR THE INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL NYC AND BARCLAY CALVADOS BAR

 COGNAC FRAPIN SEMINAR SPEAKERS & MIXOLOGISTS
 ALAIN ROYER - COGNAC FRAPINNORTH AMERICAN EXPORT DIRECTOR
SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY, MAY 18

12:00PM     - 1:30PM    REINVENTING CLASSIC COCKTAILS, FEATURING BOULARD CALVADOS

Calvados isn’t just for Side Cars anymore. Discover how calvados can open your eyes to a new world of classic cocktails - with a twist. Heather Malpass, from Boulard Calvados, discusses what this apple-based spirit can bring to so many of the most well-known cocktails. Drinks will be created and served by Jose Torrella, head-mixologist at The Barclay at the Intercontinental Hotel NYC - the world’s first calvados bar.

30 minute cocktail reception using the featured spirit(s) will follow the seminar. Seating is limited. Please click on RSVP link