Elegant Digs and a Romantic Streak Make Il Bar a Prime Date Night Joint

Ahh, the one that got away. That wistful, over-romanticized (in every sense of the word) kind of tale that you usually tell your barkeep as that proprietor-come-psychiatrist pours out something strong for you to drown your sorrows in. Except this time that familiar old scenario is different: this time, you're the one lending the bartender an ear as he regales you with a sob story.

And so it goes at Il Bar, tucked just around the corner from the lobby of Liangmaqiao's oh-so swish Bulgari hotel. Said barkeep Dario Schiavoni (Bulgari's director of restaurants) somehow resists the urge to twist his vaudeville villain mustache as he spins an even cheekier yarn about his chance encounter with a charming ingénue at the hotel bar in Shenzhen's Ritz-Carlton when he worked there last year, who left before the end of his shift. He continues to wax poetic while pouring a glass of the "pink lady" cocktail (RMB 120) that he dedicated to her. Then Wilson Rodriguez – one of the many award-winning guest bartenders that the hotel has arranged to host, and a friend of Schiavoni's from their days bartending together in Rome – glances over and calls Schiavoni out on the story, prompting a restrained and entertaining argument between the two.

Such is the colorful and distinct vibe that helps sets Il Bar apart from many of the blander hotel lounges in town. And as well as the upbeat and playful attitude of the staff – along with their prompt an attentive service style – the lounge is also characterized by plenty of natural light from the picture windows, plenty of woodgrain, and a gleaming copper-tinged bar that sits like a little island in small but elegant lounge's center. The hotel's location next to the Liangma River makes for a charming view, and that will also help their patio be a hit once the warmer weather takes hold. That attribute will be all the more augmented by an outdoor gin bar that Schiavoni says Il will soon have ready for eager spring and summer attendees.

That atmosphere, along with the promise of regular guest bartenders, will likely help woo Beijingers with a taste for the finer things throughout the summer. And it will also help the bar make a far bigger splash than it has as of late, marking a big shift from their quieter, slow and steady perfectionist tweaking since the bar and the elegant hotel open their doors last fall.

Rodriguez, as guest bartender, certainly impressed with his intricately mixed cocktails, which did not shy away from local ingredients like durian and elderflower, bringing distinctive flavors to the mix without overpowering the drinks. It was a menu that left us wishing, that Rodriguez would stick around in Beijing a little longer. Whereas Schiavoni's pink lady cocktail was a little too sweet and indulgent for my tastes, its highly Instagramable presentation in a tall and slender glass will make it a hit among customers wanting to pose with their beverages.

While cocktail geeks looking for innovative combos would be better served by more boundary-pushing bars like Janes and Hooch, Infusion Room, or The Black Moth, anyone looking to impress – after an elegant night out at neighboring upscale eateries like Tavola or Vin Vie, let's say – would be well done by ending at their evening with a stop to Il Bar.

Photos courtesy of Il Bar