Darko Marinkovic

He began his bar career shortly after turning 21, slinging tropical drinks at the legendary Shooters Waterfront Cafe on the shores of the Cuyahoga River. Having gained experience, Darko was tapped as the Bar Manager for the soon to be open Karma Nightclub, which gained attention for its' nod towards classic cocktails with a modern spin. Moving on to the nationally recognized restaurant Vivo where modern cocktails reigned supreme, his philosophy of modern with an appreciation for the craft of classic cocktails was beginning to take form.

Having taken a detour to the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico and a position as Lounge Manager for the Roessler family's (of Roessler Cellars fame) new restaurant Savoy, nestled in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. Here wine was king and Darko quickly saw the passion that winemakers had for their craft.

Moving back to Cleveland, Ohio and taking a position with Hospitality Restaurants at their New York Times recognized seafood restaurant Blue Point Grill. Here execution of perfectly balanced cocktails, using the freshest of juices and ingredients, with only the best spirits, was emphasized.

After 3 years of developing the cocktail menu for Hospitality Restaurants, Darko was tapped by James Beard nominated Chef Zach Bruell to head up the bar program at Chinato, his new venture on Cleveland's restaurant row of E. 4th Street. At Chinato, fresh, seasonal cocktails are executed with precision and passion. Using only the finest of spirits like Domaine de Canton, seasonal produce from Cleveland West Side Market, and an ever evolving philosophy on the craft of creating artisanal cocktails, Darko and the talented staff of the bar at Chinato, take great pride in pushing cocktail culture to a whole new level. Chinato is located at 2079 E. 4th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. Contact Chinato at 216.298.9080 or at chinatocleveland.com.