Most bars never touch The World’s 50 Best list. Drink Kong has been on it six years in a row — No. 45 in 2020, No. 19 in 2021, No. 21 in 2023, No. 33 in 2024, No. 40 in 2025. Rome’s most internationally recognised bar, and one of the most stubbornly consistent names in world cocktails.
On 24 April, that bar was ours for a night.
Federico Daniele took over the counter and did what Drink Kong does: Japan-meets-Italy drinks, ridiculous technique, flavours you didn’t see coming. The kind of cocktails that make you understand the ranking about two sips in.
How did it go? We ran out of cocktails an hour before closing. Completely dry. Sorry if you missed it — actually no, we’re not sorry, you should’ve booked faster.
Beyond the drinks, Federico was an absolute blast behind the bar, and having him at Gato Negro was genuinely a privilege. Rome, you’re lucky to have him. Come back any time, amico.
This is the whole point of our guest shifts: we drag the world’s best bars to Valencia so you don’t have to fly anywhere. Next up: Sips, Barcelona — currently No. 3 in the entire world, at our bar this October.
Follow @gatonegro.vlc so you don’t miss it twice.
