For Mixologists Matteo Ciaffaroni and Paolo Pallucchini, having fun on the job is essential.
For them, fun means entertaining every guest who takes a seat at The Blade Bar at Hilton Rome Eur La Lama, a lobby bar that specializes in Roman drinks and international bites. There, the duo works together to mix up creative drinks, while stirring up interesting conversation with couples, families, and business travelers with a world of different palates.
“Often people don't know much about cocktails and need help pairing something with food. Sometimes we have returning clients who always order ‘the usual,’” Ciaffaroni said. “On the other [hand], there are people who come visit from the other side of the world and remember the drink we once made as it was part of the summer list and want it again. We have to be ready.”
Ciaffaroni and Pallucchini, who are from the nearby suburbs of Acilia and Campagnano di Rome, respectively, both say a highlight of working at Hilton Rome Eur La Lama is helping guests make the most of their visit to Rome.
“Thousands of tourists go through it and are amazed and impressed by the magnificence of Rome every day,” Ciaffaroni said.
Pallucchini agrees.
“Rome is like an open-air museum, a collection of different things,” Pallucchini said. “[It’s] modern and contemporary art, the culture, and the cultural value that the city has, and above all, the people who live in it and experience it every day.”
The duo, who has been named in hundreds of positive reviews online, originally met on the job and quickly became good friends. They credit their infectious friendship as a factor in their success and the spirit they bring to The Blade Bar.
“The key is that you remember us, whether it was for the cocktails or the smiles,” Pallucchini said.