Aquazzura Opens Debut Cocktail Bar At Hotel De Russie

Forbes

07-04-2025

Aquazzura Bar at Hotel De Russie, Rome
Luxury Italian footwear brand, Aquazzura and Rocco Forte Hotel's Roman hotel, Hotel de Russie have joined forces to open the first-ever Aquazzura Bar.
Marking Aquazzura's first venture into hospitality, this exclusive collaboration combines the brand's signature style with the timeless elegance of Hotel de Russie, which also happens to celebrate its 25th anniversary this year.
Aquazzura Bar at Hotel De Russie, Rome
Setting the scene, expect a secret garden within a garden as the Aquazzura Bar exudes La Dolce Vita living within the historic Hotel de Russie's hidden courtyard. Here, the concept draws inspiration from Aquazzura Casa's Secret Garden tableware collection, think botanical-inspired designs that nod to 18th-century illustrations, featuring birds and butterflies, in coordinating lush tones.
Two brands perfectly aligned, Aquazzura's founder, Edgardo Osorio shares, 'I have always been passionate about interiors and hosting. To me, hosting is an act of love - you create an experience for your guests, from the music to the food, to how the table is set. It has always been a dream of mine to translate the world of Aquazzura into a hospitality space."
Lydia Forte and Edgardo Osorio at Aquazzura Bar at Hotel De Russie
Of course, Rocco Forte Hotels is known for is glamorous and decadent outposts, since being founded by Sir Rocco Forte and his sister, Olga Polizzi in 1996 and has built up a 15-strong collection of individual hotels, resorts, residences and villas. Still led by the family who have been in hospitality for four generations, Lydia Forte, Group Director F&B says of the collaboration, 'Edgardo and I dreamed up Aquazzura Bar amid holiday's ease-relaxed, laughing, surrounded by friends, and aimed to bottle that vibe. Our job, at its heart, is to make people happy, embracing each guest and magically uplifting their mood. It's in the details: the bartender's friendly nod, the glass's delicate line, the ice's clink, the cocktail's balanced flavor profile, the sounds and scents of the garden. Yet, what lingers is a feeling and finally…a memory of that feeling."
Aquazzura Bar at Hotel De Russie, Rome
The space, which was designed by Casa do Passadiço, features custom awnings with Aquazzura's signature black and white stripes on the outside and the brand's Secret Garden pattern on the inside, creating dramatic focal points. These are set against hand-painted Portuguese tiles with lemon motifs that decorate the bar, referencing Italy's infamous citrus groves, complete with metal outdoor furniture, tufted chairs, and sofas, for sipping in style and comfort. Green trellis panels and lemon trees in striped planters frame the setting, and beyond is the hotel's courtyard garden.
Lydia Forte and Edgardo Osorio at Aquazzura Bar at Hotel De Russie
As for the cocktail menu, created by Federico Pavan and executed by Mattia Capezzuoli, it showcases Edgardo's love for tequila, and as such, it'll feature a rotating frozen Margaritas made with tequila, lime, and seasonal fruits, along with the Agave Nero, a tequila version of an Espresso Martini. Alongside this, guests can also order tapas by Fulvio Pierangelini, all served on the Aquazzura Casa porcelain collection, naturally.
Aquazzura Bar at Hotel De Russie, Rome
Address: Aquazzura Bar at Hotel de Russie Via del Babuino, 9 00187 Rome, Italy