Classic at heart but unbound by convention, Niccolò Avanzi embodies a striking contrast – he dresses in black and white but dreams in color. Mixology specialist at Torre, the restaurant and cocktail bar on the sixth floor of Fondazione Prada in Milan, Avanzi is a firm believer in the power of simplicity.
Niccolò Avanzi, Between Art and Music
“I’m a binary code; I like to express myself that way”, he says. His passion for art and music — he’s even released three albums — fuels his creativity beyond the bar, adding layers of depth to his world, which is a tapestry of comfort zones, where he retreats before stepping into the spotlight at aperitivo hour, when guests gather at the bar and the ritual of hospitality comes alive.
“I have the soul of an artist, but at the same time, I’m a strategist and perfectionist when creating a drink. After all, recipes are mathematics; what makes the difference is who prepares them and how they are served”, Avanzi explains. After his technical studies, he flew to London to work in fashion, then returned to Lake Garda for a season that marked the beginning of his mixology career at Oh! Ficomaeco in Brescia.
The Experience for Torre
His ascent in the industry was accelerated by winning the Nikka Perfect Serve competition, opening doors to an experience at Terrazza Gallia in Milan. This was followed by a move to Marchesi 1824 in Montenapoleone in 2018, before the opening of Torre, where he has been a mainstay since day one.
“Over the past six years, the venue has evolved significantly, and we’ve grown alongside it. Today, I manage the bar”, he explains. Collaborating closely with chef Lorenzo Lunghi — whom he deeply admires — he infuses culinary flavors and techniques into his drinks.
“Over the years, we’ve built a loyal clientele of cocktail enthusiasts who trust our recommendations and allow us to open up and truly express ourselves. Naturally, everything starts with the essentials: a drink must be expertly crafted, with quality ingredients and precise techniques, but to me, that’s just a small fraction of the bar experience. What truly matters is empathy, creating a connection with the guest, which is where I find the most fulfillment. Each day is unique, bringing fascinating people who leave their mark on me, just as I hope to leave something with them”, says the mixologist.
The inspirations of Niccolò Avanzi
Niccolò’s creativity follows no fixed rules, and inspiration for a drink usually comes from tasting an ingredient and exploring its connections, “like when I compose a song. I place my hands on the piano, and if I hear sounds I like, I pause, understand, and begin to build. I add, subtract, and combine. If it takes too long, I set it aside and return to it a few days later with a clear mind”. The classics are always the foundation, “because they’ve stood the test of time. If a Negroni has been sipped and savored for over a century, there’s a reason”, Avanzi notes.
Alongside his team at Torre, he has curated a menu that celebrates the aperitivo culture.
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Photo by Julie Couder, all rights reserved
