It is the elegant cocktail bar of the 5-star luxury hotel Il Sereno, a design gem signed by internationally renowned architect Patricia Urquiola. Behind the counter of the Lobby Bar stands bar manager Don Vidura Nilaksha Colambage, of dual nationality: Sri Lankan by birth and Como local by adoption. His work is a celebration of the art of mixology, approached with creativity, refinement and sustainability. This season, the Lobby Bar’s cocktail list is divided into five categories, each with a strong narrative identity.
There are two major new additions to the menu. The Idols section pays tribute to figures who helped shape this part of Italy. From Alessandro Volta to Garibaldi to Pliny the Elder, the bartender has studied their stories and personalities, translating them into distinctive cocktails that tell the tale of the region. Local ingredients take center stage in the other new category, Seasons, where the bar manager captures the passage of time through the rhythm of spring, summer and autumn. One element that has long defined Vidura’s work is the presence of haiku, now a true signature. These short Japanese poems accompany the cocktails, narrating the changing seasons and the evolution of nature.
The menu still features Masterpieces, a collection of the Lobby Bar’s signature drinks from 2019—Vidura’s first year—through 2024. The Highballs represent the bar manager’s Asian influence, showcasing carbonated long drinks rooted in Japanese tradition. Lastly, the Non-Alcoholic section is “a tribute to the pleasure of uncompromising mixology”—a duty as well as a delight for anyone crafting an international cocktail menu in step with the times. All that’s left is to place your order and enjoy the beauty of a perfect moment.