Kelson Ayers

General Manager

Growing up in Lafayette, Colorado just outside of Boulder, local culinary specialties had a heavy influence on Kelson’s love of food from an early age, with weekly steak dinners and Pork Green Chile a staple in his household. But it wasn’t until he moved to NYC at the ripe age of 19 that he would discover a deep appreciation for craft cocktail culture and hospitality, thereby setting him on his future career path. He started bussing tables at Blue Ribbon in Brooklyn and quickly worked his way up to server and bartender, where he had the opportunity to really connect with guests and strengthen his love of hosting. He went on to hold managerial positions at French Louie and Patti Ann’s before joining the team at Gage & Tollner as Service Director in late 2023, and was promoted to General Manager in April 2024. When he’s not leading all front of house operations and engaging with guests at the restaurant, you can find Kelson with his wife and son at Prospect Park, reading fantasy novels, or cheering on his beloved home teams: the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets.