It may seem obvious, but if you want to find out who is the best bartender, then you ask another bartender. And this is the idea behind the ‘Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award’ that is the last of the lead-up awards before the announcement of the World’s 50 Best Bars.
And really there can be no higher honour than to be voted by your peers as the bartender that they believe is doing more to further the craft of bartending than anyone else.
This year, that honour has gone to Argentinian bartender Renato ‘Tato’ Giovannoni, who is the owner of the Buenos Aires bar, Florería Atlántico.
PIN ITFlorería Atlántico
Now if you’ve not been to Buenos Aires, you may not be aware that the city has a rich cocktail history that goes back over 100 years. And it is this history and particularly the iconic drinks that were introduced and enjoyed by immigrants between 1900s to 1920s that Florería Atlántico celebrates.
Located beneath a florist, the bar highlights and proclaims the unique flavours that are Argentina. Founded in 2013, the bars unique interpretation of time and place, helped it get onto the World’s 50 Best Bars list in the same year. And by 2019, the bar was placed at No.3 in the prestigious ranking, making it the first Latin American bar to make the top three.
And it was, of course, it was Giovannoni’s leadership that helped Florería Atlántico put Argentina’s cocktail culture on the global map. “Tato is, without doubt, one of the most respected bartenders in the world,” said Mark Sansom, Content Editor for The World’s 50 Best Bars.
“He is a perfect ambassador for the craft of bartending and indeed Argentina’s storied cocktail past as he travels the world for his art,” Sansom continued. “We are looking forward to seeing the positive impact that he brings as he continues to inspire his peers to push forward during these difficult times.”
With an aptitude for art and a love for cocktail creation, Giovannoni came to bartending armed with a degree in filmmaking and experience in graphic design.
Since starting his career in his early teens working in his father’s bars, restaurants and nightclubs, he has travelled the globe for pop-ups and guest shifts, spreading the message of Argentine bar culture far and wide.
“Winning the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award was truly unexpected. Not only does Florería Atlántico represent Argentina on The World’s 50 Best Bars list, I now have the honour and responsibility of representing my country,” said Giovannoni.
“It has always been my dream to carry my nation’s flag around the world through my work,” he continued “More than an accomplishment, it is also an affirmation of the work we have put in, to capture the essence of Argentina and Latin America, while elevating creativity and sustainable practices in our industry.”
Armed with a degree in filmmaking and experience in graphic design, Giovannoni converged his aptitude for art and love for cocktail creation into one. Always looking for new platforms of expression, Giovannoni published Coctelería Argentina: el mar de Tato in 2016, a book that documents his original cocktail creations and experiences as a bartender.
And it is that same spirit of creative endeavour that tequila brand Altos wanted to celebrate when the Bartenders’ Bartender award was introduced in 2017, as can be seen from the past winners who include Iain Griffiths (2017), Joe Schofield (2018) and Monica Berg (2019).
“For Altos Tequila, it is an honour to sponsor the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender award for the third consecutive year. Supporting the bartending community has been one of our main pillars since the creation of Altos,” said Carlos Andres Ramirez, Global Advocacy Manager for Altos Tequila.
“In this difficult time, it is more important than ever to support The World’s 50 Best Bars with initiatives like the Recovery Fund and this digital ceremony so that the spirit of collectiveness and togetherness doesn’t disappear. We are sure we will gather together again next year to celebrate. Congratulations to the peer-voted Bartenders’ Bartender for 2020.”
The announcement of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2020, sponsored by Perrier, follows on from the work of the 50 Best For Recovery Programme, which has to date raised $1.25m for hospitality venues across the globe.
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2020 list will be unveiled in a digital countdown on 5th November, beginning at 3pm UK time. Bars and cocktail lovers are invited to join the virtual ceremony on The World’s 50 Best Bars Facebook page and 50 Best Bars TV YouTube channel.
