by Maximiliano Crocamo
Interview: Serena Tonel – Deputy Mayor of Trieste; Antonella Nonino, Representative of Nonino Distillator; Matteo Pizzolini, Field Account On Trade FVG
The city’s bars and restaurants will once again take center stage this fall as Trieste Cocktail Week returns for its fourth edition. Scheduled for September 7–14, the event will involve 25 bars, cafés and restaurants across the city, including several of Trieste’s historic cafés.
Organizers and sponsors presented the 2025 program at City Hall on Tuesday, with Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Economic Policies Serena Tonel highlighting the event’s role in promoting local businesses and culinary culture. “We believed in this initiative from the beginning because it perfectly fits into our strategy of offering high-quality events that showcase the city and its territory,” Tonel said, noting the emphasis on local ingredients in mixology.
The weeklong celebration will feature competitions, guest appearances by internationally recognized bartenders, themed evenings and a strong focus on products from the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. Local spirits producers will be highlighted during a special “Made in FVG” day on September 11, when bartenders will be asked to design cocktails using regional ingredients.
The opening party, set for September 7 at Purobeach Portopiccolo, will be open to the public and feature live concerts, DJ sets and multiple cocktail stations. The closing event on September 14 at Pier the Roof will host two competitions — a speed round and a mystery box challenge — before awarding the prize for the best cocktail list.
Major names in the industry, including Nonino, Martini and Zero Cento Distribuzione, will serve as sponsors, with Nonino returning for the fourth consecutive year. A new collaboration with Venice Cocktail Week will also debut in 2025, extending the reach of the initiative.
Participating venues range from cocktail bars such as Antico Caffè San Marco, Harry’s Bar and The Modernist to restaurants including Eataly, Ai Fiori and Local. Organizers noted that in past editions, many cocktails created during the event became permanent additions to menus across the city.
The program also includes master classes, panel discussions and guest bartender nights. Highlights include sessions led by renowned bartenders such as Flavio Angiolillo of Milan and Riccardo Rossi of Rome. A special dinner pairing Nonino spirits with four courses will be hosted at the Hotel Continentale.
The event is organized by Freshmedia and Intraprendi in co-organization with the Municipality of Trieste, with the support of regional and local institutions and trade associations.
