August 2024 | Vice Versa

Miami's cocktail scene just got a stylish new addition with the opening of ViceVersa. This innovative bar, blending Italian flair with local influences, promises to elevate your aperitivo experience to new heights. With its carefully crafted cocktail menu and mouthwatering food offerings, ViceVersa is set to become a must-visit destination for cocktail enthusiasts and foodies alike.

 

 

ViceVersa’s cocktail menu, developed in collaboration with the founders of nearby hotspot Jaguar Sun, features an impressive selection of 14 drinks divided into three distinct categories: The Negroni Family, Martinis, and Signature Cocktails. Each category showcases a unique twist on classic and contemporary flavors, designed to cater to diverse palates.

 

**The Negroni Family** highlights the MI-TO blend, featuring a Dolce amaro base that shines in drinks like the carbonated Americano and the Negroni Punch. For those who appreciate a refined martini experience, the menu includes the Avanguardia and the Affogato Martini, each offering its own sophisticated spin on the classic cocktail.

 

Signature cocktails like the Italian-VICE and Brucio in Bocca present creative and innovative takes on traditional flavors, ensuring there's something exciting for every guest. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic Negroni or a daring new concoction, ViceVersa delivers a cocktail experience that celebrates the art of mixology with an Italian twist.

 

 

The culinary offerings at ViceVersa are crafted by the talented chefs Carey Hynes and Justin Flit from Jaguar Sun. The food menu is designed to complement the cocktail experience, featuring a variety of dishes that range from fresh raw bar selections to delectable neo-Neapolitan pizzas.

 

Start with the raw bar, which includes treats like Treasure Coast oysters with citrus mignonette, Royal Red Shrimp with cherry bomb relish, and tuna tartare with pistachio and green olive. For appetizers, indulge in wood-fired flatbread topped with chicken fat, chives, and cultured butter; house-made culatello and coppa; and a Caesar salad enhanced with Cantabrian anchovy and aged parmesan.

 

The true stars of the menu are the neo-Neapolitan pizzas. Savor unique creations such as clam pizza with white sauce, middleneck clams, lemon, and scallion; the ‘Bad First Date’ with tomato sauce, taleggio, and pepperoncini; and sopressata with tomato sauce, Thai chili, and hot honey. Each pizza is a modern twist on classic flavors, sure to please even the most discerning pizza lover. Finish your meal with housemade gelato and sorbet for a sweet ending to a memorable dining experience.

 

 

The man behind the innovative bar program is Longo, a hospitality veteran with over 20 years of experience. Longo’s impressive career began at the Hotel de Russie’s Stravinskij Bar in Rome, leading him to prestigious hotel bars in London, including the Corinthia and the Ritz. After returning to Rome to develop the bar programs for La Moderna, he moved to Miami seven years ago to serve as the opening head bartender at the Champagne Bar at the Four Seasons at The Surf Club. In 2020, he was recognized as Bombay Sapphire’s Most Imaginative Bartender.

 

Longo’s journey has taken him across the globe, exposing him to new techniques, spirits, and ingredients. “My journey in hospitality has opened my eyes to new techniques, spirits, and ingredients,” says Longo. “With this new bar, I look forward to guests experiencing this journey first-hand as I honor my Italian upbringing, my life in Miami, and my love for aperitivi.”

 

 

The name ViceVersa reflects the bar’s playful take on aperitivo culture, suggesting that there is no wrong time to enjoy a great cocktail. The 60-seat space is designed with inspiration from Italian futuristi artists, featuring an emerald green tiled bar, slate green walls, and marble tables. The decor includes bronze palm frond sconces and modern art by Italian futurist Jean Vaquier, also known as Folzer.