Episode 105 | Federico Riezzo | The Bar Under Their Palm: London's 90's Cocktail Golden Era and Why Service Beats Technical Skills

In this episode, Chris Maffeo interviews Federico Riezzo, hospitality veteran and Villa Mamo founder (a Villa in Tuscany), about London's cocktail renaissance and why human connection beats technical skills in bartending. Federico shares his experience at legendary London cocktail bars like The Pharmacy, Lab, Sketch, and Sanderson Hotel during the late 90s and early 2000s cocktail revival. Learn how exceptional bartenders combined technical excellence with infectious energy to create welcoming environments that prioritize guest experience over complex mixology.

Chris and Federico explore how service philosophy transforms bartenders into "gatekeepers of sales" through trust-building techniques like spirit sampling and storytelling. Discover practical hospitality strategies that create memorable bar experiences, generate customer loyalty, and drive organic word-of-mouth marketing in the cocktail industry.

Perfect for bartenders, bar managers, hospitality professionals, cocktail enthusiasts, and anyone interested in London's cocktail history and modern bar service excellence.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Villa Mamo Overview

08:15 London Cocktail Renaissance Era

16:30 Service Philosophy vs Technical Skills

24:45 Trust-Building Through Sampling

32:20 Munich Bar Experience Example

37:46 Gatekeepers of Sales Concept

Episode Analysis