Gabriele Armani has been named the best Italian bartender working abroad. This was decided by a panel of industry professionals after an initial consultation, followed by an online public vote, and ultimately confirmed with an award presented at the Barawards 2024 by Bargiornale. “The young talent,” reads a statement, “won over the judges with his creativity, precision, and ability to turn every cocktail into a work of art.”
Who is Gabriele Armani
Born in 2000, Armani spent his early years between Gaby and Fontainemore in Valle d'Aosta. Growing up amidst the tables and flavours of his family’s restaurant, he studied at the École Hôtelière in Châtillon, where he developed a passion for the world of bartending. In 2019, he moved to Barcelona for a five-week internship at Paradiso, the renowned venue owned by Giacomo Giannotti (himself a recipient of the same award in 2019).
Armani started with the classic groundwork: washing glasses, assisting with preparations, and handling orders. Over time, he became an integral part of the team, taking on more responsibilities.
After the pandemic, Armani found himself increasingly behind the bar, crafting the spectacular drinks that have contributed to Paradiso's acclaim. Paradiso was named the best bar in the world according to The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022. This famous yet discreet venue is hidden behind a small bakery in Barcelona's El Born district.
Paradiso in Barcelona
To enter, one must pass through a refrigerator door into an unexpected space. The “wow effect” is immediate, with a long bar framed by wooden arches. The atmosphere feels like stepping into the belly of a whale, which leads to a second room: a tropical paradise with tiki-inspired decor.
Opened nearly 10 years ago, Paradiso has always focused on creativity and the element of surprise, even in its drinks. Examples include the Tesla, inspired by electricity and served with a real Tesla coil, which causes glasses to change colour when touched, or another creation featuring a cloud suspended above the glass. Each cocktail provides a complete sensory experience.
In recent years, the focus has shifted increasingly towards sustainability, exemplified by the creation of the Paradiso Waste Lab and the organisation of the Sustainability Summit.
Gabriele Armani has played a pivotal role in these initiatives, becoming a full-fledged member of the Paradiso team. “For me, sustainability is truly a key pillar in the bar world and in daily life. It’s a philosophy that must spread because we cannot exploit the planet’s resources indefinitely,” he explains. But how can it be achieved?
“Being 100% sustainable as a bar isn’t easy, but it’s both challenging and possible because big changes start with small actions,” Armani notes. For instance: reusing organic materials: repurposing all the organic by-products from ingredients, recycling plastics: transforming certain types of plastic into bar tools and merchandising items, recycling bottles: these are turned into a range of glasses and carafes used for service.
Over the years, Paradiso has expanded to include another space crafted entirely of copper, accessible through a fake bathroom door. This hidden bar within the secret bar, known as Sala Macallan, was created to celebrate the venue’s 7th anniversary.
Now, as Paradiso approaches its 10th year, the bar has gained a new accolade—this time for one of its talented bartenders.
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