Behind the Scenes with… Diego Lenzoni, our Bar manager

From his early days mixing drinks in a beachfront bar to travelling across Europe opening new sites for a restaurant group, our Bar Manager Diego has always had a passion for the perfect cocktail. He tells us why he gets a kick out of creating drinks for our guests and why bartending reminds him of music-making…

Tell us a little about yourself

I’m from a small coastal village called Pietrasanta in northern Tuscany; it’s a place that’s close to my heart, but five years ago I decided to come to London to further my hospitality career. For me, the attention to detail and customer service in the capital is second to none. Professionally speaking, I’ve had to reinvent myself a little, both in honing my language skills and how I train my team with a focus on guest relations. And I’ve started drinking Americano instead of espresso – but don’t tell my mum.

How did you get into hospitality?

I started my career more than a decade ago as a breakfast chef in a hotel in Forte Dei Marmi. Everything changed when I saw a bartender expertly mixing a drink: I was hooked. I developed a passion for mixology but also for having that first contact with guests. After extensive bar academy training, I developed a much greater appreciation for cocktail making. What followed was running a beach bar by myself, further experience in a hotel in Pisa and then a move to London five years ago. There, I worked my way up the ranks at The Hard Rock Café, where I eventually opened up several bars for the group across Europe.

What feels special about the bar at Colbert and what are its unique challenges?

Everything happens at close quarters at Colbert, which means we really get a chance to build up relationships with our guests, many of whom are regulars. The bar can get quite crowded, but we all enjoy the energy there. I’m used to a busy atmosphere and can take it in my stride. I also love noticing what drinks people are enjoying. Right now, there’s a real appetite for martinis.

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to work at the bar?

Bartenders are passionate people, intent on delivering a great service and an excellent product. In my spare time, I perform as a musician and I always compare bartending to being on stage. A good performer will know his music or lyrics inside out, he will be fully prepared; likewise, a great bartender will mix a drink with skill, passion and an air of confidence.

When you’re not at Colbert, where can we find you?

I live in Camden Town where there’s a great music scene and several rock pubs. Since I play bass guitar and drums, you’ll often find me gigging with the locals on a rare night off. I also love cooking, and being Italian, I’ve tried to perfect the art of good pasta or risotto – saffron and mushroom is my signature dish. Of course, I also like to sample cocktails and the classics are my go-to’s: nothing beats a perfectly made Old Fashioned.