Discover the enchanting Aquazzura Bar at Hotel de Russie in Rome—a high-fashion haven where Italian design, cocktails, and couture collide in the heart of the Eternal City
A High-Fashion Hideaway Blooms in the Eternal City
In a match made in La Dolce Vita heaven, luxury footwear label Aquazzura unveiled its first bar inside Hotel de Russie, the legendary Rocco Forte property between the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo. The result? A cocktail-fuelled fantasy set in a secret garden, where fashion and hospitality mingle beneath lemon trees and striped awnings. The move marks Aquazzura’s dazzling debut into the world of hospitality, and trust us—this is no ordinary bar.
This is the bar where design aficionados, style insiders, and lovers of Roman glamour will now want to toast the golden hour.
The Setting: A Garden Within a Garden
Hotel de Russie, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, is synonymous with quiet luxury and cinematic charm. But step through its majestic entrance and into the fabled Valadier Garden, and you’ll discover something utterly spellbinding: the Aquazzura Bar, a hidden jewel within this storied courtyard.
Conceived in collaboration with Portuguese design studio Casa do Passadiço, the bar draws inspiration from Aquazzura Casa’s Secret Garden tableware collection. Think lush, 18th-century botanical illustrations brought to life—fluttering butterflies, chirping birds, and rich greenery rendered with elegant whimsy. It’s the stuff of fashion fairy tales, brought to life with impeccable Italian flair.
And the details? Divine. From dual-patterned awnings (Aquazzura’s signature black and white stripes on the outside, Secret Garden dreamscape within) to hand-painted lemon motif tiles nodding to Italy’s sun-soaked citrus groves, every element feels like a haute couture garden party—curated just for you.
Cocktails with Couture Credentials
Of course, one doesn’t merely sip at the Aquazzura Bar—they savour. The cocktail list, dreamed up by bar maestro Federico Pavan and brought to life by Matteo Capezzuoli, reflects Creative Director Edgardo Osorio’s known adoration for tequila—with a stylish twist.
Highlights include:
Frozen Margarita of the Month – A seasonal stunner crafted from the finest tequila, fresh lime, and whatever fruits Rome is flaunting that month.
Agave Nero – A tequila-spiked spin on the Espresso Martini, as darkly seductive as a Roman midnight.
And then there’s the food: a carefully curated tapas menu by Chef Fulvio Pierangelini, Rocco Forte Hotels’ Creative Food Director, served on Aquazzura Casa porcelain (naturally). It’s all part of the magic: dining becomes a performance, where each plate is a styled vignette and each bite a passport to pleasure.
Where Design, Elegance, and Emotion Meet
This isn’t just a bar—it’s a mood. A masterclass in how the art of living can be distilled into a single, unforgettable space.
“Edgardo and I dreamed up Aquazzura Bar amid holiday ease—relaxed, laughing, surrounded by friends,” shares Lydia Forte, Group Director of Food & Beverage at Rocco Forte Hotels. “Our job, at its heart, is to make people happy. What lingers is a feeling—and finally, a memory of that feeling.”
And that’s the secret. Great design delights the eye. Great hospitality stirs the soul. For Osorio, the bar is the realisation of a long-held vision: “Hosting is an act of love. It has always been a dream to translate the world of Aquazzura into a hospitality space.”
Why the Aquazzura Bar Is Rome’s Chicest New Address
Whether you’re seeking a stylish pre-dinner spritz, a romantic twilight rendezvous, or simply a serene spot to escape the city’s bustle, the Aquazzura Bar ticks all the right (striped and lemon-scented) boxes. It’s a place where La Dolce Vita isn’t just a concept—it’s a cocktail, a colour palette, and a gentle breeze through trellised greenery.
So next time you find yourself in Rome, add this to your must-visit list. Not just for the ‘gram (though trust us, the aesthetics are worth a grid post or three), but for the kind of immersive luxury that only the most in-the-know places can offer.
Go just before sunset, when the golden Roman light dances off the lemon trees and the courtyard hums with that rare kind of magic—equal parts style, serenity, and sparkle. Order the Agave Nero, settle into one of the tufted chairs, and raise a glass to the sublime synergy of fashion and fine living.
See also:
Stylish Stays: Hotels in Rome with Exceptional Art and Design
TheHotelTrotter.com is curated by greek journalist and fanatic hotel lover Eleni Stasinopoulou. With the eye of a fashion and lifestyle editor, Eleni hopes to inspire all connoisseurs of traveling, focusing on stylish hotel moments around the globe.
