10 Years of BlueBlazer

This year marks the 10th anniversary of BlueBlazeR, the leading PR agency dedicated to Italy’s bar industry. To celebrate, they’ve unveiled the "Blue BlazeR Guide 2025", a comprehensive guide to Italy’s best cocktail bars. The milestone was commemorated with a spectacular event at Teatro Centrale in Rome, where over 1,000 guests, including industry professionals and journalists, gathered to honor the evolution of Italian cocktail culture.

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The Story of BlueBlazer

Founded by Giampiero Francesca (CEO) and Massimo Macrì (Editor-in-Chief), BlueBlazer was born from a deep passion for bar culture. In their first year alone, they visited over 700 cocktail bars, meticulously curating Italy’s first-ever cocktail bar-focused guide. Their philosophy, "drink less, drink better," has remained at the heart of their mission—telling the story of the bar world through creativity and innovation.

As a specialized PR & communication agency, BlueBlazer has played a key role in shaping the industry by offering:

• Media promotion for bars and bartenders
• Publishing the annual cocktail bar guide
• Marketing support tailored to the bar industry
• Event planning & management

Through these initiatives, BlueBlazer has helped elevate Italy’s bar scene, ensuring its influence extends far beyond national borders.

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The Evolution of Italy’s Bar Culture

"Italy’s bar industry enjoys global recognition, as seen in international bar rankings. Among European countries, Italy stands out for its wide distribution of high-end bars—you can find exceptional cocktails no matter where you go," says Giampiero Francesca.

In the past, cocktail culture was centered around top-tier bars in major cities. Today, however, regional and suburban bars have carved out their own identities by embracing local ingredients and traditions. From a small village of just 4,000 residents boasting a bar that serves creative cocktails to a major city setting new trends in mixology, Italy's bar scene is more diverse than ever.

Giovanni Continenza, Director of the BlueBlazer Guide, highlights how Italy offers "a refined drinking experience, no matter where you are."

Some of the most exciting regions driving this transformation include:

• Lazio, home to the vibrant Rome bar scene
• Milan, a historic leader in cocktail culture
• Campania, where Naples and beyond are redefining creativity in mixology

Each of these regions showcases its own distinct character while collectively embodying the richness and diversity of Italy’s bar culture.

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A Decade of Excellence: The Evolution of the BlueBlazer Guide

The BlueBlazer Guide was born from the evolution of Italy’s bar scene. It captures the growing emphasis on quality, innovation, premium ingredients, and the revival of tradition, serving as a trusted resource for discovering the country’s finest bars.

Until now, the guide has been available exclusively online. However, in celebration of its 10th anniversary, it is being published in print for the first time. This 416-page edition features over 370 handpicked bars, organized by Northern, Central, and Southern Italy.

Each listing provides in-depth insights into the bar’s style, atmosphere, signature cocktails, and key figures behind the counter, offering a rich perspective on the evolution of Italy’s cocktail culture.

"The printed guide will be available in bookstores from mid-February, while the interactive map, complete with location details, will remain accessible on our website," the editors confirm.

The online edition will also continue to be available.

 Explore the Blue BlazeR Guide online: Blue BlazeR Guide Online

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The 2025 Edition: A Comprehensive Guide to Italy’s Bar Scene

BlueBlazer continues to expand its reach by offering both digital and print editions of its highly regarded guide. The limited edition print version, with only 2,000 copies available, is a special project crafted for readers who seek high-quality bar experiences.

Published under the Ultra label by Lit Edizioni, this 416-page guide introduces over 370 carefully selected bars across Italy. The bars are organized by Northern, Central, and Southern regions, each entry providing in-depth details on the bar’s style, atmosphere, signature cocktails, and bar manager information.

What makes this edition especially intriguing is its thorough analysis of Italy’s bar scene, diving deep into key regions and emerging trends:

• Milan has further solidified its position as the historical heart of Italy’s bar culture.
• Rome stands out for its diverse range, from lively urban bars to innovative trends in the suburbs.
• Campania, with Naples as its creative hub, showcases a region-wide dynamic bar scene that is gaining attention for its innovation.

Notably, the guide’s selection criteria goes beyond cocktail quality. It emphasizes the hospitality and service standards of each bar, providing a more holistic view of what makes these venues truly exceptional. To ensure complete independence, the guide remains free from sponsorships and advertisements, which adds to its credibility.

This comprehensive guide, BlueBlazer Guide 2025, is the ultimate resource for discovering Italy’s top cocktail bars.

A Kindle edition is also available. (In Italian)

Find it on Amazon: Guida ai cocktail bar d'Italia - Blue BlazeR 2025

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BlueBlazer Awards 2025 – A Night of Triumph

The BlueBlazer Awards 2025 celebrated the exceptional achievements of Italy’s bar industry once again this year, with a grand ceremony that honored the standout performers. Here are the highlights from the prestigious event:

• Bar of the Year went to Milan’s iconic Rita, recognized for its long-standing commitment to preserving a unique style while brilliantly balancing tradition and innovation.
• Bar Manager of the Year was awarded to Gregory Camillo of Jerry Thomas Bar Room for his ability to seamlessly blend tradition with innovation, becoming a leading figure in Italy's bar scene.
• Hotel Bar of the Year was given to Villa Igiea in Palermo, which has firmly established itself as a representative hotel bar of Southern Italy with its distinct vision.
• The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Vincenzo Errico for his contributions in bringing Italian mixology to the global stage.
• Best Martini Award went to Nicolas Pina from Hotel Locarno for crafting the finest martini of the year.

The night was a testament to the talent thriving in Italy’s vibrant bar scene, and a clear indication of its ongoing growth and innovation.

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Mixology: A Growing Part of Experiential Tourism

Italian mixology is increasingly playing a key role in experiential tourism, with cocktails such as the Florence-originated Negroni, and reinterpretations of local wines through a mixological lens, offering visitors a new way to experience the country’s culture. How can this connection between local culture and drink be further strengthened?

Giovanni Continanzo, Director of the BlueBlazer Guide, suggests that “by collaborating with tourism boards, producers, and bars, a broader system can be created. For example, inviting international journalists during an event can offer them a chance to experience Italy’s mixology scene firsthand, providing a fresh perspective on our history and culture.”

He emphasizes the universal appeal of Italy’s bar culture, saying, "Wherever you are in Italy, you’ll find an elegant experience waiting for you."

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The Role of PR Agencies in Italy’s Bar Industry

Supporting this growth are specialized PR agencies that handle media relations, marketing support, and event planning, contributing to the expansion of Italy’s bar scene both domestically and internationally. After over 10 years of successful efforts, there is now rising interest from global bar scenes, including Asia and India.

It will be exciting to see how these initiatives continue to evolve and expand in the coming years.

For more information on Blue BlazeR, visit www.blueblazer.it

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