Patrick Pistolesi's neon-lit temple in Monti, where cocktail menus are organised like tech interfaces and the room pulses with the aesthetic confidence of a bar that knows exactly what it is. The space is divided into zones — each with its own atmosphere and menu logic — and the drinks are built with a precision that reflects Pistolesi's years at the top of Rome's cocktail scene. The presentation is theatrical without being frivolous: smoke, unusual vessels, ingredients sourced from places most bartenders haven't considered. Drink Kong is a regular on the World's 50 Best Bars list because it does something genuinely different — not speakeasy nostalgia, not hotel-bar refinement, but a modern cocktail bar that looks and feels like the future of drinking in a city obsessed with its past.
Location
Monti, Rome
Map
Insider Intel
Navigate the menu like the interface it is — each section represents a flavour direction and the bartenders will calibrate within it. The signature presentations (smoke, unusual glassware) are worth ordering at least once. The Kong Negroni reinterprets the Roman classic with Pistolesi's precision. For something unexpected, ask for the bartender's current favourite off-menu build.
Evening from 8pm when the neon atmosphere is at full effect and the room fills with Monti's creative crowd. Earlier (7-8pm) for a calmer experience and more conversation with the bar team. The Monti neighbourhood provides excellent dinner options before or after.
Piazza di San Martino ai Monti 8, Monti. Cavour metro (Line B). Cocktails EUR 15-20. Walk-in but reservations recommended on weekends via the website. The space is larger than most Roman cocktail bars, which means less queueing. Cards accepted. World's 50 Best Bars regular.