Angelo Sparvoli returns to The Savoy’s American Bar

The American Bar in The Savoy has chosen its new head bartender, Angelo Sparvoli – marking a return home for the Italian mixologist.

Sparvoli had previously worked at the acclaimed bar – situated inside five-star London hotel The Savoy – from 2016-2020, starting as a bar back and making his way up the ranks to senior bartender.

In the period since he left, Sparvoli further honed his craft at other established London venues, including Kwãnt Mayfair and St James Bar in the Sofitel London St James.

He now fills a slot that was vacated by previous head bartender Chelsie Bailey at the start of the year.

On coming back to lead the bar that kickstarted his career, Sparvoli said: “I left a piece of my heart at the American Bar, and it is a pleasure to be returning four years later in this new role.

“I look forward to achieving great things with the incredibly passionate team, reuniting with familiar faces and ensuring the bar remains at the forefront of this ever-changing industry.”

Sparvoli will now begin work alongside bar manager Andrea Di Chiara on a new menu that will ‘stay true to the bar’s heritage while embracing new techniques’.

American Bar’s most recent menu, created in May last year, paid homage to the ‘unique process of bartending’.

Sparvoli isn’t in the only new positional switch at The Savoy. The hotel has also named Chris Murphy as its new director of food and beverage, who will now oversee operations across the hotel’s Thames Foyer, American Bar and Beaufort Bar.

Of the two new hires, Franck Arnold, regional vice-president and managing director of The Savoy, added: “These two appointments mark the start of a new culinary chapter with significant enhancements to our food and beverage offering planned throughout the year.

“We are paving the way to ensure we really are the place in London to enjoy the best and most varied drinking and dining experiences.”