Umberto Oliva

From the small Aspromonte town of Oppido Mamertina, Umberto Oliva began dreaming of a career in hospitality as a teenager. He took his first steps in a pizzeria, but it was the bar counter that truly captivated him. Nevertheless, he chose to complete his studies and enroll at the University of Messina, majoring in Business Economics, all while pursuing his passion for mixology through self-study and reading.

During these years, he met Nino Capri, one of the top bartenders in Messina, who became his mentor and encouraged him to gain hands-on experience behind the bar. Every first paycheck was invested in visiting the best cocktail bars to uncover their secrets, experiment, and test his skills. His first competition marked the beginning of a career that, upon his return to Calabria, led him to collaborate on the cocktail bar project at Qafiz, the restaurant of chef Nino Rossi. Named Aspro, the bar became a space where Oliva showcased the deep connection between mixology and culinary tradition.

This experience shaped his approach and brought him to Milan, where he became bar manager at Bella Milano, a project dedicated to telling Calabria’s story through cocktails. Here, he had the opportunity to display his talent through research, respect for ingredients, and careful craftsmanship. More importantly, he emphasized his strong connection to his Calabrian roots, using mixology as a tool to share his homeland’s traditions and products with guests.

Since September 2024, Oliva has been behind the bar at Nik’s & Co, a cocktail bar included in the 50Best Discovery list, where he continues to develop and refine his vision of mixology.