Luxury expert Daniel Langer looks at how the man behind SIPS, ranked the 3rd best bar in the world according to The World’s 50 Best Bars Awards in 2023, has created success by defying the status quo
One of the things that is most fascinating about meeting people who have a disrespect for the status quo is their ambition, which is not just about replicating the same “sea of sameness” we find so often in most categories, but to change things for the better. So, a chance to meet and interview Simone Caporale—the world-renowned bartender who took over Quinary, one of Hong Kong’s most exclusive bars, to present Amaro Santoni, his multi-award-winning “dolce-amaro aperitivo” of highest quality—was very intriguing.
Caporale is the proud owner of SIPS Bar in Barcelona, which is ranked the 3rd best bar in the world according to The World’s 50 Best Bars Awards in 2023. And according to Caporale, what he does differently to create an intimate venue where often 60-70 people wait in line to get one of the 33 seats in his bar is “focus on human values.”
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Caporale’s focus on human values and human-centric philosophy also entails the service, the experience and the encouragement of the team. For example, to take down barriers between the bartenders and the guests, he eliminated the bar counter, allowing for a completely different ambience than most other bars. Without the separation from the guests, the venue feels much more intimate and connected, and allows for much more dynamic service and flexibility.
Because of the different setup, the bartenders can work face-to-face and share an order and can complete it much faster than in a traditional setup. Even at full capacity, guests will still get their drinks typically within three minutes, adding to the human-centric experience. Another aspect that sets SIPS apart is reflected in the name—to sip.
“Sip is an undefined quantity of a liquid, just enough to savour its taste,” says Caporale. “This means, each sip creates an emotional connection and response, and—ultimately—a memory. We reduce the quantity of each drink for guests to have an extended experience, like in a tapas bar. You can enjoy two or three drinks without too many worries about the alcohol, adding to the exceptional experience.”