The role of the bartender is constantly evolving with the most rapid change in the past couple of years due to the pandemic and new ways of drinking. Perhaps, because the average person had to become their own bartender when bars, restaurants and clubs were closed, they have this newfound appreciation of mixology – because an expertly crafted cocktail has never tasted better than when served alongside freedom.
No one knows this better than industry veteran Patrick Pistolesi, Master Mixologist of NIO Cocktails as well as, founder of Drink Kong in Rome, which has been awarded number 19 in ‘The World’s Top 50 Bars’. After 24 years in the industry, he’s mastered the art of bartending and at-home mixology and firmly believes that embracing change is crucial to the success of the new-age bartender.
“What was previously just a person behind the bar bringing the drink to you has become more about the whole experience and interacting with the customer.
The level of respect has changed. People recognise it as a career and like the very best chefs, people see creativity, expertise, and inspiration in their bartenders,” he says.
With shared Irish and Italian heritage, Pistolesi spent his first 18 summers with family in Midleton, a market town in Ireland’s southeast county of Cork. Flanked by mischievous older cousins, the teenage Pistolesi would sneak into the town’s pubs for “the odd glass of beer” and this lit the fire for his foray into bartending.
A quarter of a century later and having travelled the world learning his craft and cocktail cultures, Pistolesi launched Drink Kong in Rome, a minimal and bespoke bar with an interior design evocative of the cult science-fiction movie Blade Runner, merged with elements of Japanese traditional and popular culture. Pistolesi is now the best in the business, a celebrity in his own right – a bonne vivant with limitless passion, creativity and ‘Be Kong’ attitude.
Drink Kong was voted 46th place in ‘Best Bars of the World Awards’ and recently jumped to #19 in December 2021. Each recipe that appears on the ever-changing seasonal menu, ‘New Humans’, is crafted in the high tech lab that sits behind the bar.
From groundbreaking elixirs and perfect ice to week-long crafted garnishes, Drink Kong is experiential in its presentation of art and culture and revolutionary in the craft of mixology.
Pistolesi says the role of the bartender is to understand what people enjoy and guide them through new tastes and experiences, explaining, “I always ask a couple of personal questions to kick start the relationship and get to know them. You build a secret bond between you and the individual, and it’s all crucial to the experience. Whether they start out with a good or bad day, we want to move people through flavours.”
Pistolesi joined NIO Cocktails in 2017 with a shared mission to drive a cocktail revolution, allowing everyone to enjoy bar-quality cocktails outside of the bar, in the comfort of their homes or public-drinking spaces. Every one of NIO Cocktails’ drinks is designed and crafted by Pistolesi, and his signature adorns every cocktail.
“The pandemic meant that bartenders had to adapt and be creative which is what we did. NIO Cocktails was never about replacing the role of the bartender, it was all about bringing the drinks to where the bar could not be. You can never replace the relationship in the bar, but you can deliver great drinks to enjoy at home,” he says.
This summer, Pistolesi plans to take the Drink Kong team to Sicily after a tough couple of years. Longer-term, he plans on expanding Drink Kong and NIO Cocktails to other areas of the world.
He says the evolving role of the bartender should be embraced and encourages anyone of thinking of breaking into the industry to get ready for one of the greatest experiences.
“To anyone new entering the industry, get ready for the most beautiful night every night, it’s a rollercoaster, but you’ll meet amazing people, taste amazing liquids, and learn every day. The more open you can be, the more you will succeed. There are, of course, sacrifices to the job, but I recommend you find every opportunity to learn, travel, explore and be Kong – go with your instincts,” he says.
For more information on Pistolesi, check out NIO Cocktails (and try his delicious drinks for yourself) or head to Drink Kong’s website or check them out if you’re in Rome at Piazza di S. Martino Ai Monti.