Renato ‘Tato’ Giovannoni

Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires

A master bartender shaking Argentinian history

The hands behind Florería Atlántico in Buenos Aires also drew sketches and wrote scripts many years ago as part of their owner’s graphic design and art direction studies. Originally from the Argentine coastal town of Pinamar, Renato ‘Tato’ Giovannoni travelled to the United States to continue his education, but on a trip back to his hometown he made the decision to pursue a career as a bartender. Growing up in a family that owned many restaurants, he realised that the passion for hospitality runs in his blood – and he could no longer resist its lure.

Although he was offered the chance to oversee the front of house side of the family’s restaurants, he decided to take the road less travelled by going behind the bar. He landed a job as a bartender at Sucre, one of the Argentine capital’s most celebrated restaurants. It was there that the ever-creative Giovannoni discovered a multitude of culinary flavour profiles that he then applied to cocktails.

He also delved into Argentina's rich history of liquids, a fundamental step in the formation of his own bar, Florería Atlántico, which opened in 2013. A decade on, the bar continues to celebrate Giovannoni’s personal heritage, paying tribute to settlers who arrived via transatlantic journeys and landed at Buenos Aires' Puerto Madero docks. The team not only unifies heritage with technique and innovative flavour combinations, but also places sustainability at the heart of the bar, working closely with farmers to cultivate autochthonous ingredients.

Giovannoni, who was named the Altos Bartenders' Bartender in 2020, puts a modern twist on Argentinian classics, resulting in a unique experience that can only be found at his much-loved BA bar. Furthermore, he’s been a mentor to many, both in his homeland and beyond.

Sipping one of Giovannoni's drinks not only means enjoying a superbly balanced cocktail, but also taking a shot of Argentinian history and hospitality. It's little wonder this master of mixology has been named winner of the Roku Industry Icon Award for 2023.

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