Salvatore Calabrese has remained one of the leading figures in global cocktail culture for at least forty years. He has served kings, queens, presidents, and a string of Hollywood actors over a career that has seen him tend the bar at legendary Mayfair hotels such as The Dukes, The Lanesborough, Fifty St James, The Playboy Club, and most recently Browns Hotel.

We sat down for a conversation about his life and career at the Donovan Bar in January 2025. During the conversation you can expect to hear about Salvatore's early years behind the bar at age 11, his mentor and teacher in Italy, how a flaming drink gone wrong landed him his first proper bar job in London, what it felt like when a guest dropped a priceless bottle of cognac in front of him at The Playboy Club, the circumstances that lead to the creation of the now legendary Direct Martini at The Dukes Hotel... and much more.