Inside Fede: Florence’s New Hotel Bar Turns Mixology Into a Design Experience
At Florence’s landmark Hotel Balestri, Fede brings the craft of cocktail-making into full view. The new bar pairs an operational spirit laboratory with a sculptural interior defined by oak, burnished brass, glass and expressive Bardiglio marble—offering guests both a drink and a closer look at how it comes together.
Key takeaways
- Fede is a new cocktail bar and visible mixology laboratory inside Hotel Balestri.
- Guests can watch—and participate in—the preparation of spirits and cocktail components.
- A nine-metre oak bar, grey Bardiglio marble and ribbed glass shape the experience.
- The bar’s name honors Fede Annunziata Wittum Balestri, a pioneering woman in the family’s history.
Fede is designed around participation rather than passive observation. Conceived by Giulio Fratini with project manager Albert Dallago, creative director Simone Covan and bar manager Simone Ulivi, the space allows visitors to observe experimentation and production as it happens. The result is one of Florence’s rare hotel bars where the professional laboratory remains part of the visual experience.
A laboratory at the heart of the bar
The open-view lab gives mixology a sense of theater without separating it from the social atmosphere of the lounge. Guests can see the processes behind the finished drink and, depending on the experience, take part in making it. This approach turns ingredients, tools and technique into part of the evening’s conversation.
For homeowners considering a renovation, Fede also offers a useful reminder that functional spaces can be visually engaging. A working bar, kitchen or serving area does not need to disappear; thoughtful materials and lighting can make preparation feel intentional and inviting.
Bardiglio marble brings texture and movement
Studio Benaim, led by Oscar Benaim, anchored the main room with a nine-metre oak bar shaped to resemble softly folded fabric. Its rounded countertop is made from Bardiglio marble, a grey stone marked by natural veining and traditionally used for practical architectural details such as thresholds and windowsills.
The marble’s understated color gives the bar a classic touch while its mottled pattern adds depth. At Surfaces Galore, we appreciate how natural stone can balance everyday function with warmth and elegance: Bardiglio’s smooth finish and varied surface make it a compelling option for countertops, vanities and other areas that benefit from character without overwhelming a room.
A layered interior inspired by transformation
Behind the bar, mirrored bottle racks glow beneath a large suspended form in burnished brass. Seating is arranged asymmetrically, allowing some guests to sit close to the action while others enjoy more separation. A glass wall inspired by 1940s design divides the lounge from the lab, using clear and ribbed panels to filter light while preserving visibility.
The lab’s Bardiglio-marble frontage expresses the stages of a cocktail, moving from raw material through transformation to the finished counter. The slabs were manually split to reveal rough, tactile surfaces, creating a strong contrast with the bar’s softer curves and polished elements.
A name rooted in courage
Fede takes its name from Fede Annunziata Wittum Balestri, an elderly woman depicted in a painting found at the hotel. A member of the Balestri family, she was remembered as a bold figure who challenged the expectations placed on women in early 20th-century Italy. Her story gives the new bar an identity that extends beyond cocktails and interiors—celebrating experimentation, independence and creative spirit.
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