By Shalina Chatlani, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires cocktail den, will open an innovative pop-up bar for ArtRio from September 9-14th. The pop-up’s master bartenders will be shaking signature cocktails in front of Galpão 4 from 1PM to 8:30 PM daily during the art show in the Port Zone in Centro Rio.
Florería Atlántico, voted “Best Cocktail Bar in Latin America” for two years, made its claim to fame as a a speak-easy style cocktail bar, originally tucked away beneath a flower shop in Buenos Aires. Aesthetically and creatively, the bar was conceived in honor of the city’s turn-of-the-century European immigrants, with a drink menu that is inherited from immigrant countries, such as French Juleps and Dutch Ginebras.
Tato Giovannoni, renowned mixologist and owner of the bar, has set his sights on Rio as a place where he can innovate within the city’s cocktail and hospitality scene. “In comparison with São Paulo and Buenos Aires, Rio lacks a truly decent cocktail bar, where you can try world-class cocktails with great food and a vibrant vibe,” said Giovannoni.
“Rather than recreating Buenos Aires’ basement bar and flower shop, we have adapted our approach to suit Rio’s warm climate, laid-back beach culture and the Carioca’s passion for socializing on the street or at the beach,” Giovannoni adds.
Lauren Holmes of Tropicalisto, a British-Brazilian creative agency representing the effort explains, “The cocktail bar will […] serve five signature cocktails. Next door, we will create an emporium of flowers and bottles displayed on vintage furniture pieces to evoke Floreria Atlantico’s bohemian spirit.”
Florería Atlántico plans on opening establishments throughout Rio in the coming months. In November 2015, the Atlántico team hopes to open Rio’s first gourmet beach kiosk, where they will serve up signature cocktails and have a daily changing menu of the fresh fish and seasonal ingredients.
Moreover, in December 2015, the team plans on launching a customized cocktail bus converted from a 1960’s Japanese Mitsubishi medical truck. The bus will be stationed for longer periods at a still secret spot in Zona Sul (South Zone).
The bar was invited to ArtRio by “Comida Movél” (Mobile Food), a project dedicated to improving food and design on Rio’s beaches. With a strong focus on sustainability in design and a priority for recycling classical pieces from the past, Comida Movél will add to the ArtRio festival beyond its gastronomic offerings.