Bar Leone delves into its ‘cocktail popolari’ ethos
For this week’s podcast episode, we spoke to Lorenzo Antinori in Hong Kong about his simple, Italian approach to hospitality and how it made his venue, Bar Leone, Asia’s best.
Lorenzo Antinori initially intended to pursue a career in law. Despite his brilliant brain, it’s hard to picture him in such a serious profession. “It’s really the opposite of who I am,” he says. World-class hospitality seems effortless for this Italian bar owner – and this flows through his Bar Leone venue in Hong Kong, which was crowned Asia’s Best Bar in 2024.
Antinori cut his teeth in hospitality in some of London’s leading bars, including Dandelyan and The American Bar at the Savoy hotel. His experience in Hong Kong also includes acclaimed bar Argo before he pursued his own venture. But what does it take to create a successful bar?
“I believe that hard work, but mainly curiosity and passion, are the main factors of having a successful career – but then success is very personal, right?” he says. “What might be successful for me might not be for you. There is a different scale of measure that each of us should take into consideration.
“I think [bartending] is an absolutely noble profession. These days, it requires a level of craftsmanship that goes beyond just making drinks. It’s very fascinating.”
Where Bar Leone excels is the service the bar offers its guests. This, combined with great-tasting, classically inspired cocktails, is what sets Bar Leone apart.
“Being able to read the guest’s expectation, and manage that expectation, and also anticipate their needs,” is imperative for good service, he explains. “It’s always about trying to be, as much as possible, enthusiastic about what we do on a daily basis. That’s a big part of my responsibility because I have to be the one who inspires, or at least shows the path.”
He adds: “It’s about customer service [and also] learning about the digital world. It’s about learning different languages. And, you know, as much as you could be a shy person, working in this field might help you and also boost your own confidence with being able to talk to different people or in front of an audience.”
New bar Montana
Antinori is also on the cusp of opening a second venue in Hong Kong in partnership with a fellow industry veteran, Simone Caporale, founder of Sips Barcelona, which was crowned World’s Best Bar at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards 2023.
The new bar, called Montana, will bring a slice of Cuba to Hong Kong, inspired by Club de los Cantineros, Cuba’s famous bartenders’ guild. It takes further inspiration from 1970s Miami, when Cuban cocktails were at their peak.
“Simone and myself, we’ve known each other for a while. It goes back to London,” Antinori explains. “I really admire what he did for Sips, and also Boadas in Barcelona. I told him I really wanted to do a ‘Leone alter ego’, but set in another time and place while still having this ‘cocktail popolari’ ethos of approachable, accessible, delicious cocktails rooted in the classic spectrum.”
Antinori was excited to do a Daiquiri-led bar – and that is precisely what the duo have lined up.
“Cuban migration brought a lot of art culture to the rest of the world,” Antinori explains. “We like to describe Montana as Cuban drinks, 1970s music, and an almost Florida vibe, if you may. And this is because we realised with Bar Leone that people want to have a good time. To have a good time, you need to create the right setting and music, lighting, good drinks and good company. Those are elements that make a great bar experience.”
For more insights and advice on building a world-class bar, listen to the full episode with Antinori on your regular podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.
Alternatively, you can listen and download the episode below via Acast for free.
The Spirits Business Podcast was a top 10 nominee in the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards 2025.
As BCB London gets under way today (30 June), listen to our last episode with Jack Sotti, founder of Archive & Myth and BCB London ambassador. In this episode, Sotti shares his passion for hospitality, the importance of education and parental support in the trade.
Past guests on The Spirits Business Podcast have included Deano Moncrieffe, founder of Hacha Bar and Equal Measures, Trudiann Branker, the first female master blender for Mount Gay Rum, and Claire Warner, head of luxury advocacy at Diageo.
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