Named after the Russian composer who made the hotel his Roman residence, the bar channels the cultural sophistication of early 20th-century Europe while remaining thoroughly grounded in the present. This is a place where understanding yields to feeling—to the simple pleasure of inhabiting a space where history, creativity, and hospitality converge. The city beyond may hum with its ancient chaos, but here, within the garden’s embrace, time slows and bygone eras of elegance and dolce vita emerge.
The entrance is understated, the street quiet. But crossing the threshold of Hotel de Russie is to enter another Rome entirely. A Rome of layered gardens, shifting light, and centuries of whispered stories. The terraced Secret Garden, designed in the 1820s by architect Giuseppe Valadier, the creative force behind Piazza del Popolo’s iconic semicircles, rises in tiers behind the hotel. Ancient pines frame citrus groves and climbing roses, while fountains murmur their constant song.
It was this very landscape that moved Jean Cocteau, who arrived in 1917 with Picasso and Stravinsky to work on the avant-garde ballet Parade, to call the hotel an “earthly paradise”. Overlooking this scene, Stravinskij Bar captures the restless spirit of its namesake. The composer, immersed in creative ferment during his Roman stay, famously observed: “The more constraints one imposes, the more one frees one’s self.” It is a principle that resonates through the bar’s approach—where rigorous technique becomes the foundation for boundless creativity, and precision unlocks expression rather than limiting it.
For years, the bar’s reputation was forged by the legendary Salvatore Calabrese, known affectionately across the industry as “The Maestro.” His tenure at Stravinskij Bar established it as a pilgrimage site for cocktail enthusiasts, his classic approach and meticulous craftsmanship earning the venue its place among the world’s great hotel bars. Calabrese’s philosophy—that the perfect cocktail requires no more than five ingredients—became the gold standard against which the bar’s offerings were measured.
Today, that legacy is in the hands of Mattia Capezzuoli, who stepped into the role of Director of Mixology with deep respect for what came before and a clear vision for what lies ahead. His path to this prestigious position has taken him through some of the industry’s most celebrated establishments, Camparino in Galleria and 1930 Cocktail Bar among them, earning him accolades including Best Bartender and Best Bartender Under 30 along the way.
Capezzuoli shares The Maestro’s reverence for Italian ingredients and precise technique, but brings his own contemporary sensibility to the bar’s program. Where Calabrese was the classicist, Capezzuoli is the storyteller—weaving narratives of Rome’s layered history into every cocktail, balancing timeless elegance with modern creativity. His training in economics informs a methodical approach to cocktail construction, while his instinct for storytelling ensures that every drink carries emotional weight. For him, luxury is not about ostentation—it is about creating moments that feel both deeply personal and profoundly connected to place.
Stravinskij Bar’s menu, Rome in a Sip, unfolds as a sensory journey through the Eternal City—from Imperial grandeur to the glittering years of La Dolce Vita, and the intimate beauty of the Secret Garden itself. Each cocktail honours Italian ingredients through contemporary techniques, achieving a balance between timeless refinement and modern sensibility.
The Altamura Distilleries Experience
At the heart of this vision stands Altamura Vodka, a spirit whose authenticity, structure, and sophisticated character align naturally with the bar’s ethos. Its most striking expression is Red Eclipse—a minimal yet layered take on the classic Negroni. The familiar bitterness expands into deeper, more resonant territory, gradually revealing a subtle peated undertone. It is a cocktail of quiet revelation, much like Rome itself: the longer you linger, the more it discloses.
Anima Tellus charts a different course entirely—a journey across continents and centuries. Ancient Italian grains, South American spiritual traditions, Indian wellness remedies—all converge on the solid foundation of Altamura Vodka. Fake lime provides brightness, Palo Santo Cordial invokes sacred ritual, black cardamom soda adds aromatic complexity, and Angostura binds it all together. Another drink that tells a story without words is the Stravinskij Original Bloody Mary, a unique interpretation that will surprise even the most discerning palates. Tomato, the undisputed star, meets aromatic spices, creating a bold yet harmonious character.
From left to right: STRAVINSKIJ BLOODY MARY – The gentle sweetness of tomato mingles with a fragrant medley of aromatic spices. Altamura Distilleries Vodka. Stravinskij Spice Mix. Tomato Juice, Tomato Extract, Lemon Juice, Salt Rim; ANIMA TELLUS – A journey through flavours and traditions, from Italy’s ancient grains to the sacred rituals of South America, and time-honoured Indian remedies. Altamura Distilleries Vodka, Fake Lime, Palo Santo Cordial, Black Cardamom Soda, Angostura;
Bottom: RED ECLIPSE – A bold reinterpretation of the classic Negroni, its signature bitterness deepens into rich, powerful layers, gradually unveiling a delicate shade of peat. Altamura Distilleries Vodka, Campari, Del Professore Vermouth Rosso, Rabarbaro Zucca, Cacao Liqueur, Drops of Montelobos Espadin Mezcal
Credits: Photo courtesy of Hotel de Russie Rome
