10 years of Barrier: A global bartending celebration in Bergamo
A decade in the hyper-competitive bar industry is more than a milestone—it is a testament to resilience, innovation, and sustained influence. Barrier, the lauded cocktail destination in Bergamo, recently marked its ten-year anniversary with an extraordinary party that paid tribute to a decade of evolving tastes and trends.
Founders Mauro Colombo, Nicolò Rossi, and Edoardo Briccoli Pontiggia orchestrated an exclusive industry convocation. This unprecedented event saw top-tier bartenders converge on Bergamo from major European capitals and across Italy, transforming the city into a vibrant, international nexus for cocktail culture.
The anniversary celebration was anchored by a dynamic series of rotating guest shifts, executed by revered colleagues and industry veterans. The impressive lineup included:
Fabio “Benjamin” Cavagna (1930 Milano)
Riccardo Rossi “Smith” (Freni e Frizioni, Rome)
Alina Cickozki (Flying Dutchman, Amsterdam)
Angelos Zeimpekis (Line, Athens)
Peppe Loria (Volare, Bologna)
Andrea Carlucci and Diego Melorio (Quanto Basta, Lecce)
Riccardo Soncini (Disco, Reggio Emilia)
Davide “Davo” Patto (Ruggine, Bologna)
Embracing the electric, high-energy atmosphere, Mauro Colombo captured the celebratory spirit: "The format may be deliberately energetic, but it’s undeniably a pure celebration of the journey and the people who have defined it."
For attendees seeking a more intimate engagement, Barrier’s Private Room offered a sophisticated sanctuary. Here, Dario Banchellini (Locale, Firenze) presented elevated twists on the ultimate classic cocktails: the Negroni and the Martini.
This momentous anniversary also served as a toast to the successful relaunch of the brand. After the closure of its original location in 2022, the Barrier team triumphantly relocated and reopened in 2023 at its current, prime address in Piazza Giacomo Matteotti.
"Barrier in Piazza Matteotti is a significant next step—a new chapter that honors our past while looking firmly toward the future," shared Mauro Colombo. "We were thrilled to finally toast this decade-long journey with our esteemed friends from across the continent."
The clock reads 11:43 PM, yet Mauro and Nicolò are just now hitting their stride
The combined force of Bologna’s leading bar figures, Peppe and Davo, fueled an unforgettable night in Bergamo
Happy partygoers at Barrier Bergamo
Vale, always ready to deliver under pressure