Drink Kong

"First impression? Rome’s best mixologist, Patrick Pistolesi, runs this very slick 1980s-style cocktail-lounge that regularly makes The World’s 50 Best Bars list. There’s neon art, loud music, and a very cool crowd. They can pair cocktails with small plates or make you something bespoke to suit your taste. How’s the crowd? Extremely good looking and well-dressed. In keeping with the Blade Runner-décor, expect to see a lot of black and a lot of leather. Somehow, it works. How are the drinks? Alongside the cocktail menu, there’s also a spirits, wine, and sake list. Menus are a work of art in themselves, with drinks broken down by tastes (acid, sweet, bitter), glass (coupe, high ball, tumbler, wine glass, bowl). Each drink gets its own page with a little description, plus its own special graphic artwork. The Paradox cocktail, for example, is made from gin and amber vermouth, and is described as ‘bitter, bizarre, deep’. We ventured for the ‘Big Trouble in Oaxaca’, drawn by the ‘adventurous, naughty, green’ description—and were not disappointed. If there’s food, is it worth ordering something to eat? The menu’s a mashup of Mexican and Japanese dishes, done with an Italian slant (Roman oxtail tacos; Cantabrian anchovies; bao buns; edamame hummus). Did the staff do you right? They’re friendly but unobtrusive. If the menu’s overwhelming, ask them to recommend a drink—they’re usually spot on. Wrap it up: what are we coming here for? An otherworldly experience of moody lighting, strong drinks and Mexican-Japanese culture… in Italy." - Maresa Manara