The rooftop cocktail bar that throws you back to 1960s Rome
Rome in the 1960s was living its golden age; it was recognized as the most elegant city in the world, poised between an optimistic yearning for growth and a sparkling desire for carefreeness. It was a period characterised by a mix of vitality, explosive creativity, and worldliness, in which the encounter between fashion, cinema, design, and other arts gave the fabric of daily life a dynamic and exciting twist. Paparazzo Bar & Rooftop at Le Meridien Visconti Rome, takes us back to this era, and at the same time, hurls us into the future.
The venue, a lounge nestled under the Roman sky, lulls us into a dolce vita, where drinking a cocktail becomes an irresistible social practice, where chatter, laughter and relaxation go hand in hand and give a concrete meaning to the concept of “happy hour”, making it the most anticipated moment of the day.
The design of the place is typical of the 1960s: joyful and colourful. The bright coloured terracotta tables are in contrast with the wall graphic decorations in blue and pink powder inspired by the hand painted patterns of Italian fashion designer Livio De Simone. In short, the venue throws you back in time, in a cosy, relaxing yet elegant environment.
At the heart of it all are the cocktails which, like the venue, are a tribute to the city’s golden age and are at same time forward-thinking: they are original, playful and decidedly “Instagrammable,” which makes them crucial to the modern version of paparazzo art. Signed by the courteous and imaginative Bar Manager, Edoardo Arcesi, they are made from the highest quality fine spirits and conjure up the golden 60s, whilst creating contemporary experiences, through their names, looks, tastes and even the glasses (and ways) used to drink them!
From the Paparazzo, served in a camera lens, to the Black Out, presented in a light bulb; from the Marilyn Monroe, a tribute to one of the most iconic figures of the 1960s, to the Man on the Moon, served with a rosemary smoke bubble. The menu also features cocktails inspired by the music and pop culture of the same decade, such as Light My Fire, dedicated to the famous song by The Doors, and The Flintstones, a tribute to the cartoons of the era, made with Grey Goose, chamomile, lemon and papaya.
Although cocktails take center stage, they are accompanied by appetizing bites and warm dishes prepared by Executive Chef Giuseppe Gaglione, who uses seasonal ingredients with typical Mediterranean flavors. The dishes are healthy, colorful and full of flavor, perfect for sharing. From sea bass tartare to a trio of Fassona beef baby burgers, from Roman pinsa with fresh seasonal vegetables to eggplant and lemon meatballs, the choice is wide.
Paparazzo also hosts evenings filled with fun and entertainment. Keep an eye on the bar’s schedule by regularly checking the website and Instagram page.
In a nutshell, Paparazzo Rooftop Bar is a beautiful lounge in the heart of Prati, just minutes from the Vatican City and the Spanish Steps, lifted from the city’s traffic, suspended between its rooftops and protected by its perfect blue, pink, red, orange and purple skies. An easy-chic place for all young professionals looking for a relaxed atmosphere and an excuse to socialize after work.
