Head bartender Mitsugi Yoshida has been mixing cocktails for six decades, having started in the early 1950s when he was just 18. Yoshida is a legend in the business, and his original Café de Tokyo won third place at the 1973 International Cocktail Competition in Los Angeles. Those in the know come on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for the house ‘Yoshida Martini’.

7F 7-5-4 Ginza Chuo-ku
+ 81 3 3573 2071

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Fondly known as Nino by the regular customers, 28-year-old Nassif Aramouni started working at Dragonfly six years ago and has moved his way up to become chief bartender. Not an easy feat for someone who studied aircraft maintenance and had little experience behind the counter. Nino always serves a glass of water with each cocktail. As he says, “It’s not about getting drunk, but enjoying the drink.”

Gouraud Street, Gemmayzeh
+ 967 1561 112

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Also known as Geppetto by the regular visitors, 56-year-old Aldo Sbruzzi not only resembles the animated character (Pinocchio’s father) for wearing his glasses at the tip of his nose but also for his kind service and paternal ways; like most of the staff at Balcão, he greets customers by name. His charm has even set off long-term relationships. “One time a client congratulated me, the guy sitting next to her agreed and thus began a conversation. Today they are married,” says Sbruzzi.

Rua Doutor Melo Alves, 150,
+ 55 11 3063 6091

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