Giorgio Bargiani: Source Facebook

"A good bartender is like a good cocktail: a balance of different ingredients and technical skills, a story and inspiration behind, and a great taste"

Bartenders Business sat down with Giorgio Bargiani, Head Mixologist at The Connaught Bar, United Kingdom, for a fun interview where he shares tips on how to drive foot traffic, how to get more cocktail orders, and much more!

Biggest challenges in operating a bar

The begging operational challenge in our sector is to deliver consistency across cocktail style, service and personality of the venue without becoming repetitive or getting into a mechanic routine. Working as a cohesive team is really helpful in this sense. Always try to share your vision with your team, this is fundamental because they need to share it and believe in it but they also need to feel their role and contribution is important in order to express their personalities and ideas.

Each one of us adds to the united team and overarching Connaught Bar culture so that we always enhance our vision without moving away from our roots. A bar needs to be profitable as every business, but to be long-lasting it needs a good and timeless character. 

Tips on recruiting great bartenders

In a great bartender, you won’t just find great technical skills and knowledge. You will have the passion and desire to learn, grow, and improve despite the role they cover. Being a bartender also means being a host and in order to host people, you need empathy, sensitivity, and humbleness. 

(Giorgio Bargiani: Source Facebook)

Define a good bartender

A good bartender is like a good cocktail: a balance of different ingredients and technical skills, a story and inspiration behind, and a great taste.  

Tips on marketing a bar to drive foot traffic

Start from your local area. You need to think about what your neighbors need and look for and build relationships with them, both with businesses and potential customers. The next step is to go beyond your neighborhood or town and think bigger, think global. Why would people from another area, region or country, be these tourists or business travelers, want to connect with them? Marketing and communications are paramount, but remember that even on media word of mouth is still the most effective medium and only your bar standards can drive it positively. 

Tips on marketing menu and cocktails to drive cocktail orders

Do things that impress without overdoing them. This means creating and promoting cocktails and menus that are visually appealing, flavorsome, and can spark a conversation. Therefore, these need to be approachable by customers who will be talking about you becoming your ambassadors outside the bar.

Bar décor tips to drive sales

Your bar needs to be trendy but should not only reflect current trends. You need some timeless and bespoke elements to stand out and make guests feel they’re in your bar, not just in any venue. Every detail needs to fit into the wider look and feel driving the atmosphere that suits your bar style, from the cocktails to the type of service. Even uniforms are essential in creating the appropriate atmosphere and are as important as your décor in conveying the character of the bar. 

(Giorgio Bargiani: Source Facebook)

What does winning the top bar award mean for you and the bar?

It’s an incredible reward for me, for Ago and Maura and for the entire team, but none of us feel like we have reached the top. This actually feels like the beginning of a higher peak to climb up, of some greater things to do together. Over these past years we have been consolidating our identity, our vision and our offering for the Connaught Bar guests. Continuing to hold to our standards while always innovating and enticing guests will always be our challenge and commitment. Straight up with style and don’t forget the smile.