Bartenders

Paolo Tonellotto

Type

Bartenders

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Born in Marino (Italy), a little alcoholic village nearby Rome.

WHERE DO YOU/HAVE YOU WORKED?

I started in restaurants when I was younger, then fell in love with bars when I was working at the Supper Club in Rome. After that I moved here and the Hide bar and Blood and Sand has been my house since.

FAVORITE BARS?

Really hard to find one that I don't like, they all do an amazing job, but if I had to name a few they will be The Connaught (Ago such a host!), the Artesian ( Alex and Simone...genii) and Purl ( simply great and Emanuele is a legend).

FAVOURITE DRINK?

At my age there's no need to get fancy, Manhattan is the one. A good rye, 2 great vermouths, a couple of bitters and check that dilution... I'm a happy man.

Bad ass barman/rock n roll moment?

When I've joined Blood and Sand, I felt really good about it.

Ever done it on a bar?

I love my wife and therefore I'll skip this... All I can say is that if it happened I was too young and didn't know what I was doing!

What's next for you?

Well, got married last September, just opened Demon Wise & Partners... I feel next for me would be enjoying them both!

Best/worst chat up lines you've heard at a bar?

Once Joe Green working at the Hide said to a drunk customer trying to pay with his Oyster card: "sorry mate, this will take you a long way, but here will take you nowhere"... great line, great timing.... Still laughing while I'm writing it. Great Joe!

Tell us a secret or something we don't know?

Blue cocktails will be back... :(

If you were to make a barchick cocktail, what would you put in it?

It will have Belsazar Rose vermouth, Rock Hill Farm bourbon (outstanding!) and a touch of Strega liquor. It could be named the "Rose Fashioned"...

How do you like your Martini?

With rye and both vermouths... Just kidding, with lemon will do!

What did you want to be as a kid?

A millionaire ...