Italian fashion brand Aquazzura has opened its first-ever bar at Hotel de Russie in Rome, making its debut into the hospitality industry. The collaboration with Rocco Forte Hotels aims to bring a new kind of experience to guests, combining design, drinks, and atmosphere in one of the city’s well-known hotels. This launch comes as the hotel marks its 25th anniversary this year.
The Aquazzura Bar is located in the hotel’s inner courtyard, a space hidden from the street but accessible once guests walk through the main entrance. The setup is simple yet deliberate, built around the idea of offering a break from the city. It’s designed to reflect the brand’s Secret Garden tableware collection, drawing on botanical visuals with birds, butterflies, and shades of green.
Edgardo Osorio, Founder and Creative Director of Aquazzura, said, “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.”
Custom awnings feature two different patterns – black and white stripes on the outside, and the Secret Garden design on the inside, adding contrast to the space. Hand-painted Portuguese tiles with lemon designs line the bar, while green trelliswork and potted lemon trees complete the garden layout. The furniture, designed by Casa do Passadiço, includes metal-framed chairs and sofas intended for casual outdoor use.
The drinks menu, created by Federico Pavan and prepared by Matteo Capezzuoli, focuses on tequila-based cocktails. It includes a rotating frozen Margarita made with seasonal fruits and the Agave Nero, which reimagines an Espresso Martini using tequila. Tapas by Chef Fulvio Pierangelini are served on Aquazzura Casa porcelain to match the setting.
Everything from the drinks to the furniture was planned to fit the brand’s visual identity. But the bigger goal is to create a space that feels relaxed and personal.
“Edgardo and I dreamed up the Aquazzura Bar amid the 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 flavour profile, the sounds and scents of the garden. Yet, what lingers is a feeling and finally…a memory of that feeling,” said Lydia Forte, Group Director of Food & Beverage at Rocco Forte Hotels. Ms. Forte is the heir of the Rocco Forte Hotels group, following the footsteps of her father, Sir Rocco Giovanni Forte.
The Aquazzura Bar is not trying to be overly flashy or trendy. It’s a quiet entry into hospitality that sticks to the basics, good design, decent food, and well-made drinks, housed in a familiar, relatable space.
