Mario and Fabio La Pietra, bartending brothers on different corners of the globe
Two brothers, two continents—hell, two hemispheres! They are both bartenders, one is in Hong Kong and one is in Brazil and they were reunited for a couple of days in Rome. Let’s have a chat with them.
We are here at the Roma Bar Show to talk to two brothers, Fabio and Mario La Pietra, who have been bartenders for a long time. They were last together two years ago in Amazonia—they reunited in Rome for the Roma Bar Show and did a guest shift together at Drink Kong.
Currently, Mario is in Hong Kong at The St. Regis Bar and his brother Fabio is the creative director at SubAstor in São Paulo, Brazil.
I am going to ask both brothers the same questions– let’s see how they compare!
My double interview with Mario and Fabio
Who is older?
F: Mario.
M: I am.
Who is smarter?
F: Depends on the perspective, there are different parameters; because I have failed so many times, I am more “solid”, but yet never solid enough.
M: Definitely, Fabio.
Fabio behind the bar.
Who is sexier?
F: For sure me.
M: Me. Hands down.
Who was the first to get into bartending?
F: Mario.
M: The older one, of course. Mario.
Mario in his element.
Do you want to be a bartender like your brother or completely different from him?
F: We have loads of similarities, but we have different styles. I am a little more European.
M: When I grow up, I want to be like Fabio.
What should your brother do to change his life?
F: Get therapy, like we all need. And to be more decisive.
M: You should ask our Mom. I’m his older brother, not his therapist.
What’s your favorite cocktail to make?
F: Mezcal Negroni.
M: 50/50 Gin martini. Lemon twist discarded and 3 olives.
And to drink?
F: Paloma and Vermouth and tonic, one or the other.
M: Caipirinha.
Who will get settle down first?
F: We should do it together!
M: Fabio.
Will you ever come back to live in Italy?
F: Maybe after I am 50. I still have a lot to do in South America.
M: Maybe, one day. Who knows?
There is a very old Italian saying that goes, “Mogli e buoi dei paesi tuoi” (wife and livestock should come from your own town)—What do you say?
F: I believe in the melting pot, not just Italians.
M: There are so many saying…but as we speak, I can tell you yes, at this stage seems legit to me ;-)
Do you speak the local language?
F: Yes, I speak Portuguese.
M: Nope. I speak the language of love. It's universal!
SubAstor in São Paulo, Brazil.
What is one thing from Italy you can’t get in your country?
F: The compact size of Europe. Everything is nearby.
M: La Zuppetta (Sanseverese), a typical Christmas local dish.
Life would be perfect if only……
F: I could drink a good Mezcal and smoke a little spliff every morning.
M: Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Airman's Odyssey
Where you can find Mario and Fabio La Pietra
The St. Regis in Hong Kong: @stregisbarhk
Mario La Pietra: @mario_lapietra
SubAstor, with two locations in São Paulo, Brazil: @subastor
Fabio La Pietra: @fabio.lapietra