Bardia Ketabi

General Manager, Bayou & Bottle

“For a social creature like myself, having the opportunity to spend my time at Bayou & Bottle is a perfect fit. Here, guests from all around the world gather and connect, while enjoying incredible food and drinks that reflect the essence of this incredible city. I’m right at home here in Houston’s living room.”

Four Seasons Tenure

Since 2024
First Four Seasons Assignment: General Manager, Bayou & Bottle

Employment History

The Dupont Circle Hotel, Washington DC; The St. Regis Washington, DC; Espinas Palace Hotel, Tehran

Education

Bachelor of Science in International Hotel/Motel Administration and Management – Islamic Azad University (Tehran, Iran); Master of Science in International Hospitality Business – Glion Institute of Higher Education (Montreux, Switzerland)

Birthplace

Tehran, Iran

Languages Spoken

English, Farsi, French

Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, Bardia Ketabi has always been drawn to hospitality – the subject that eventually guided his career and his journey west. Inspired by his uncle, a professor, he pursued his degree in Hotel/Motel Administration and Management at Islamic Azad University in Tehran.

However, his passion for the game of soccer (or football, as it is called in Iran) was always pulling him to the game. He excelled in it, to say the least, playing the pivotal position of goalkeeper professionally for seven years.

After four years of working his way up the food and beverage division at his first job, Espinas Palace Hotel, his general manager convinced him to shift fully from his soccer career to full-time hospitality. His promising potential and natural gift of service showed his wider talents, which he set off to explore. Bardia enrolled at Glion Institute of Higher Education in Montreux, Switzerland, where he earned his Master of Science in International Hospitality Business.

From there, Bardia moved stateside and took on the role of food and beverage operations manager at The St. Regis Washington, DC. In 2022, he became General Manager at The Pembroke inside The Dupont Circle Hotel in Washington DC. Bardia moved to Houston in early 2024 as General Manager of Bayou & Bottle at Four Seasons Hotel Houston, where he oversees the popular bourbon bar and restaurant, inclusive of its Topgolf Swing Suites, Spirit Lockers, and Bayou & Bean grab-and-go concept.

Bardia speaks English, Farsi, and French, and enjoys working out, swimming, playing tennis and soccer. When sitting, he explores the world of wines and reading philosophy (sometimes together).