Vay Su & Shawn Lickliter, Mixologist

Shawn Lickliter and Vay Su are the hospitality duo behind Vandell, a California-inspired neighborhood cocktail bar in Los Feliz. Together, they bring more than three decades of experience shaping some of Los Angeles' most respected beverage programs, with a shared approach rooted in seasonality, technical precision, thoughtful hospitality, and a deep sense of place.

Shawn Lickliter, a self-taught bartender from Knoxville, Tennessee, spent nearly a decade as Bar Director for Chefs Walter and Margarita Manzke, overseeing acclaimed programs at République, Manzke, Bicyclette, and Petty Cash Taqueria. His work has earned national recognition, including the 2022 MICHELIN Guide Exceptional Cocktails Award for Manzke and multiple Top 10 placements in the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation's Spirited Awards. Vay Su, a Hong Kong-born, Los Angeles-raised bartender and bar director, helped shape République's celebrated beverage program and has won multiple cocktail competitions, including the Maker's Mark Bartender Cup, WhistlePig Whiskey Competition, World Bijou Competition, and Heaven Hill's Bartender of the Year.

At Vandell, Shawn and Vay bring their complementary perspectives to a cocktail program driven by California's micro-seasonal produce, alongside a focused wine list and refined bar food. The result is a welcoming neighborhood bar with thoughtful drinks, good food, and a relaxed Los Angeles feel.