SB meets… Gerry Calabrese, Hoxton Spirits
The founder of Hoxton Spirits, Gerry Calabrese, explains what he’s learned from his famous father and a career spent establishing some of London’s most iconic nightlife venues.
You grew up surrounded by hospitality thanks to your father, Salvatore Calabrese. What did you learn from him that’s stayed with you, and what have you deliberately done differently?
I learned everything about craft and standards from my dad. He’s one of the best in the world at what he does and watching him taught me that perfection only comes through obsession. Before him, nobody was putting Martini glasses, gin or vodka in the freezer. That was him, all about the details and perfecting the art.
What I did differently was in the energy. My dad built his world around refinement and tradition. I wanted to take that same craftsmanship and bring it into a space that felt younger, rawer and more cultural. My world was East London: graffiti, DJs and cocktails with a bit of attitude. Same values, different language.
When did you first realise you wanted to make your own mark on the industry, rather than follow in your father’s footsteps directly?
Honestly, I always knew I wanted to be part of this industry. I grew up around it, worked part-time from the age of 14 and couldn’t wait to make my mark. The first time I ran the door at a bar and felt the buzz of curating a night, it clicked. I loved the control of the atmosphere and the way you could set the tone before anyone even ordered a drink. That’s when I knew I wanted to build experiences, not just serve them. I never wanted to be a replica of my dad. I wanted to take what I’d learned and flip it into my own lane.
What was the most valuable lesson you learned working those early bar and door jobs?
That nothing’s beneath you. If you can’t clean glasses or mop floors, you’ll never run a venue properly. Those jobs teach you rhythm, how to read people, how to deal with chaos and charm in the same breath. You learn to graft, to think fast and to respect everyone on the team. That attitude never leaves you.
The venues you created – from The Hoxton Pony to Ink – became touchpoints for London’s creative crowd. What was the energy you wanted to capture at that time?
It was about freedom. No velvet ropes, no pretence, just good music, good drinks and people who were into the same vibe. East London back then was a melting pot of artists, DJs, designers and rule-breakers. The Pony summed so much of that up for me: the cool atmosphere, the fresh mint in the drinks, the way the room felt alive and the cocktails had their own attitude. It taught me how powerful it is when music, mood and flavour collide. We built spaces that reflected that feeling. They were industrial, creative and full of personality. I wanted it to feel like a house party with a sound system and proper cocktails.
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