Lorenzo Antinori’s favourite bars around the world

Lorenzo Antinori’s fascination with mixology has taken him all over the world. He left his native Rome for London in 2010 to cut his teeth at several of the city’s top bars before venturing into Asia. 

He joined Four Seasons in 2017; first in Seoul, then he relocated to Hong Kong two years later to become beverage manager and Asia-Pacific beverage ambassador. In 2021, he launched the hotel’s Argo bar, which was quickly embraced by the city’s most discerning drinkers and was listed at No.3 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022. Now, Antinori is forging ahead with his first independent venture: Bar Leone.  

Having made his way through myriad cities and explored many a bar scene as both bartender and guest, Antinori has cultivated a rich knowledge of all things bright and boozy. Here are some of his favourite places to drink, including his own new establishment. 

1. Bar Leone, Hong Kong

“I love the liveliness in Hong Kong, and when I set out to open my own bar, I knew the city would be a great platform for it. Bar Leone – a Roman-inspired venue – is all about gathering people together. It’s a casual and friendly hangout that aims to bring the genuine spirit of traditional Italian bars to the city. The programme here skews toward “cocktail popolari”, focusing on classic craft cocktails such as negroni and bellini, while forgoing fancy distilling machines.” 

2. Last Word, Singapore   

“This cosy establishment feels like a modern Japanese house, with a minimalist feel and drinks served in Japanese glassware. I love the overall feel of the bar. Last Word pairs an irresistible menu of cocktails with an emphasis on the ingredients. Everything is precise. The drinks are classics, but it’s still curious to see how they’re interpreted.”  

3. Maybe Sammy, Sydney 

“This is one of my favourite bars in the whole world. It elevates hospitality to a whole new level by incorporating elements of theatre to create a vibe that encourages guests to come back. Maybe Sammy always has something bubbly, if not crazy, going on. Inspired by Las Vegas in the ’60s, the bartending style here brings together dance moves, glass bottle percussion, bubble guns and a lot of fun. Of course, these are not just gimmicks; the team also take their drinks seriously.”

4. Camparino in Galleria, Milan

“While I was developing my own bar concept, this quintessential Italian bar was a big reference point. Revered as the birthplace of Campari, Camparino in Galleria has been helping aperitivo culture blossom – first in Italy, then the rest of the world – since the early 1900s. Whenever I visit Milan, this is my go-to. Besides a Campari-based cocktail list, the bar has preserved a lot of little nostalgic details that I like – think bartenders attired in impeccable white jackets.” 

5. BKK Social Club, Bangkok

“This Buenos Aires-inspired social bar is the brainchild of Philip Bischoff, my beloved partner in crime at Four Seasons. BKK Social Club is a high-ceilinged, ritzy ’70s-inspired venue accented with lots of greenery. The menu takes you on a journey through Argentinian history and geography; the cocktails are named after famous figures and landmarks in Buenos Aries. It all begins with the vermouth blend welcome drink as soon as you sit down. In addition to a range of classics, such as the signature Negroni Flight trio, there are bottled cocktails for sharing.” 

6. Drink Kong, Rome 

“Another favourite of mine. The concept behind the interior at Drink Kong is ’70s futurism, sci-fi and Japanese culture all rolled into one. The bar gets moody at night, but when the neon décor is switched on, everything pops. Even though the space is large, the staff deliver energy and great hospitality to every corner, which to be honest, is challenging. It serves cocktails that are very creative, made possible with modern techniques like distillation and infusion to create very exciting flavours.” 

7. Marlowe Bar, Barcelona

“Marlowe is hidden in the El Born district on the former site of the much-loved bar Gimlet, which operated there for 40 years. In addition to a young crowd, you’ll find some of Gimlet’s regulars around, and they might tell you old stories of the neighbourhood. The bar offers an unpretentious list of modern classic cocktails. I like the simplicity of the drinks; they are well-crafted and balanced. The bar is packed every evening, and you may find yourself shoulder to shoulder with other guests – but that’s also the vibrancy of Barcelona, isn’t it?”  

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