Featured Bartender September 2025: Valentino Longo, ViceVersa, Miami

Originally from Rome, Valentino Longo’s love for the hospitality industry stems from two important chefs in his life, his mother and sister. He began working at the Hotel De Russie as a barista and eventually became part of the bar team at the landmark Stravinskij Bar. With a bit of bar experience under his belt, Longo moved to London at 23 to learn English and work alongside some of the greats at the Ritz London, The Corinthia, and Bam-Bou. After several years, he went back to Rome to open the cocktail bar La Moderna, impressing the owners who then sent him to Miami to open an offshoot in 2016. A year later, with the owners wanting him back in Rome, Longo opted to stay, having grown attached to the people and spirit of Miami. He then joined the Four Seasons at the Surf Club for its grand opening as Head Bartender of The Champagne Bar. Shortly after, Longo was named Bombay Sapphire’s “Most Imaginative Bartender” 2020. In September 2020, Longo launched his Shōshin Art Club, a virtual hub offering subscribers the chance to explore the bar industry through education from world-class spirits professionals. In 2023, Longo was ready for the next big leap in his career and opened his own bar. He teamed up with Sunny’s Will Thompson and Carey Hynes and opened ViceVersa, a contemporary Italian aperitivo bar, in Downtown Miami in June 2024. Since opening the bar was named one of Punch’s “Best New Bars” 2024, a James Beard Award-nominee for “Best New Bar” 2025 and a top four finalist for “Best New Bar” at the 2025 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. Longo lives in Miami with his wife Giorgia Crea, a fellow bartender and interior designer.