Tony Conigliaro (mixologist)

Tony Conigliaro is a bartender and a pioneer in using science to expand upon the boundaries of what a cocktail can be. Often linked to the molecular movement, Conigliaro prefers to disengage himself from the term molecular mixologist which he considers to be a misleading label.

Conigliaro’s approach to cocktail-making is aware of cocktail’s rich history but focuses on forward-thinking. His creative process pivots upon three elements; concept, flavour and science, with a view to create structured drinkable drinks made with bespoke ingredients.

His cocktail creations include a re-invention of the Prairie Oyster, the Twinkle, and the Liquorice Whisky Sour which reside on drinks menus across numerous London bars.

Talking about his creative process Tony has said: “Each drink goes through a whole series of rigorous processes. What is it? Why? Who is it for? I think about aroma, taste, texture, look. There’s always a plan”.

Conigliaro has worked at Isola, and the award-winning Roka restaurant in London, and in 2009 opened his own venue "The Bar With No Name", 69 Colebrooke Row in North London‘s Islington. Identifiable only by a lantern and red awning, the upstairs is home to a garret style laboratory in which resides machinery such as a Centrafuge Rota Vapour and Soxhelet Still.

Conigliaro has said; 'We're different from most bars because we study the structure of the drink. 'The passion and dedication we put into each cocktail can take months.'

Downstairs is the bar which is often described as a 1950’s style Italian Café with a ‘front room’ feel. Compared to New York style bars, and loved for its intimate and friendly atmosphere, The Bar With No Name has recently won the Class Award for Best New Bar 2010 and The Observer Best Place to Drink 2010. It is here that Tony regularly holds master classes showcasing the latest and most progressive techniques in the bar industry.

In 2005, Conigliaro co-founded Drinksfactory, a consultancy, research and development company who are currently in collaboration with Mark Sainsbury to open the Zetter Town House in early April 2011.

Conigliaro frequently appears in national and international media, and has written for both industry magazines such as Theme and Class and commercial magazines like Olive where he has a monthly column on the evolution of the cocktail. He is currently working on a cocktail book to house his collection of original recipes and scientific processes.

Once acclaimed by the New York Times as the "No.1 Bradsell protégé", Tony Conigliaro has gone on to inspire a new generation of new cocktail enthusiasts influenced by science and ‘out of the box’ thinking.

Bars and restaurants

• Albanach
• Atlantic bar and grill
• Detroit bar
• Hakkasan
• Isola
• L.E.D.
• Lonsdale house
• Riki Tik's, Brighton
• Shochu Lounge
• Shumi
• Sosho Match
• Zuma
• 69 Colebrooke Row

Events-based work

• Tate Gallery, launches of major shows for 2004
• Jasper Conran, Windows of the World
• Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels launch
• Harrods book launches
• Tennis stars for world nature conservation
• Tomorrow Never Dies launch
• Superman launch
• Roger Moore MBE party
• Fiera Milan/ Stella McCartney
• Vogue party
• G.Q. party
• The Independent newspaper party
• Lost in Translation film launch
• Blood Diamond film launch
• Helmut Lang
• Evisu, Saville Row launch
• Wallpaper party
• Giorgio Armani
• Toby Young book launch

Awards

• International Bartender of the Year Tales of the cocktail 2009
• no 10. At 100 best theme awards 2009
• Shochu Lounge, Best Bar Team, Restaurant Awards 2007
• Shochu Lounge, Time Out, Bar of the Year 2005
• Shochu Lounge, Best Drinks List, Theme Magazine 2005
• Shochu Lounge, Best Spirits List, Class Magazine 2005
• Roka, Best New Oriental Restaurant, Carlton Food Awards 2005
• Zuma, Best Restaurant, Tatler 2003
• Lonsdale House, Best Bar, Time Out 2004
• Sosho Match, Best Bar, Time Out 2002

Columns

• Class magazine
• Theme magazine 2003 - 2005
• Diageo international magazine
• Diageo website

TV appearances

Gourmet Diary of a Foodie, Discovery Channel. Market Kitchen, UKTV Food.