An Interview with Antonio Ferrara of The Bar at Aman Venice
Antonio Ferrara doesn’t just serve cocktails—he creates experiences. As the head of The Bar at the Aman Venice, he draws inspiration from the palazzo’s history, transforming its art and architecture into drinks that tell a story. His approach is rooted in generosity, hospitality, and a deep respect for detail. In this interview, Antonio reflects on the early inspirations that drew him to bartending, the impact of his mentor, and how he and his team bring Aman’s philosophy to life behind the bar.
What first drew you to bartending, and when did you know it would become a serious career for you?
I’ve always been drawn to the world of elegance and hospitality. When I first stepped into a luxury hotel bar, I was completely captivated by the atmosphere. My manager at the time was the person I aspired to become—I still remember his way of speaking, his presence, and his undeniable expertise.
I’ve read that you had a mentor named Giorgio. How did he help shape the bartender you are today?
Yes, exactly—the person who gave me my foundation is Giorgio Fadda. He always taught me everything he knew and often told me that his goal was to give me all the knowledge possible so that the quality of the bar team would be excellent. He was never jealous or possessive of his skills, but always generous, supportive, and kind.
What brought you to The Bar at Aman Venice?
I joined Aman because I wanted to be part of a great project. At Aman, there is a strong focus on taking care of the guest—the goal is not just to serve my drink, but to offer a truly unique experience.
“Why Aman? I wanted to be part of a great project”
You’ve led The Bar to win many awards—what did it take to get there?
Winning awards is a great source of pride for me and the bar team. The work behind the scenes has been both demanding and exciting. Since we are a hotel, our goal is always to offer a unique experience. The real challenge has been adapting Aman’s philosophy to the bar—understanding how far we can push ourselves while still staying true to our identity.
You are known for your innovative cocktail menus. What makes your menus so innovative?
Thank you very much. Together with the team, we strive to highlight the essence of our palazzo. By studying our “home” in detail, we’re able to express who we are through our cocktails. For example, our latest drink list is inspired by the rooms of the palazzo, where we tell the stories and meanings behind the various frescoes.
Tell me about the inspiration behind the Indomitable.
How did the idea come about?
Indomitable was created in honor of a very brave and powerful woman: Maria Maddalena Aldobrandini Papadopoli, the wife of Papadopoli, who lived in our Palazzo around 1850. She wanted to protest the Austro-Hungarian political and military occupation and chose to be portrayed in a large painting wearing a dark blue velvet dress—the same color worn by the political resistance. In the painting, emphasis is also placed on her white petticoat. At that time, in the 1800s, washing machines didn’t exist, so nobles would discard dirty clothing. A white skirt would get dirty easily and be thrown away. But she was wealthy and wanted to show it. The meaning of the painting is twofold:
“You are not welcome in my home”
“Be careful, I’m very rich”
You’ve said you like to focus on the experience each guest has with their cocktail. Can you share how you craft that experience?
Yes, exactly—the details make all the difference, and most importantly, it’s essential to understand the guest’s needs. This allows you to personalize the experience based on who you have in front of you. Hospitality plays a key role in this, as it provides the foundation to start a conversation with the guest. For example, there are many guests who enjoy talking—they sit at the counter and look for interaction. I remember one evening when I was talking about Venice Cocktail Week, and the guests, intrigued, started asking me lots of questions. To my surprise, they came back a few days later just to experience the Venice Cocktail Week!
I hear you enjoy using fermentation with your cocktails. Why do you like it, and can you give me an example of a drink you created using fermentation?
Yes, we use fermentation to create more complex non-alcoholic cocktails. We had a twist on a spiced Tepache on the menu, made with a variety of spices and herbs from the Venetian lagoon. We really enjoy working with fermentation because it brings a unique acidity and complexity of flavor that’s sometimes hard to replicate.
You’ve led The Bar to win many awards—what did it take to get there?
Winning awards is a great source of pride for me and the bar team. The work behind the scenes has been both demanding and exciting. Since we are a hotel, our goal is always to offer a unique experience. The real challenge has been adapting Aman’s philosophy to the bar—understanding how far we can push ourselves while still staying true to our identity.
You are known for your innovative cocktail menus. What makes your menus so innovative?
Thank you very much. Together with the team, we strive to highlight the essence of our palazzo. By studying our “home” in detail, we’re able to express who we are through our cocktails. For example, our latest drink list is inspired by the rooms of the palazzo, where we tell the stories and meanings behind the various frescoes.
Nicole Bump
Nicole is a seasoned content strategist and writer with 15+ years of experience turning complex ideas into compelling stories. As founder of Bump Inbound, she helps brands connect with audiences through thoughtful strategy, sharp planning, and standout writing.