We met Greta while in Florence while visiting Giacosa. It was so nice to see a woman working behind the bar there. We then spent a day together at Winestillery and on the drive home, Josh interviewed her as we traveled the windy Tuscan roads. It’s days like this when we realise how special this life that we have all chosen is. Bringing us to beautiful places where we get to meet some beautiful people. We love how dedicated Greta is to bartending and that she is forever wanting to learn more.
Bartender Atlas: Greta, where were you born?
Greta Bazzichi: I was born in Versilia. It’s a city near the coast, almost in Tuscany.
BA: And what city do you work in now?
GB: Florence.
BA: Have you worked anywhere before where you’re working now?
GB: No.
BA: What’s the name of the bar you’re at now?
GB: Giacosa. I’m born in Giacosa.
BA: What’s your job title or how would you describe your role in the hospitality industry?
GB: I’m just a bar lady. I was a normal waiter before. Then I started to take an interest in the many labels in the bottle shops. Then the techniques for the distillates, the vermouth… I love the vermouths. I started to ask questions and then the bartenders at Giacosa started to teach me many things about the bar, many signature cocktails, many classics and then I started to be a bar lady.
BA: Bar lady is great. That’s a good job title.
GB: Yeah!
BA: Where do you go out to eat and drink in Florence on your days off?
GB: I love the traditional trattorias. For example, my favourites are Garga and Marione. They’re near Giacosa so sometimes with friends when we finish work and we go out for dinner together.
Or a really good cocktail bar, I love Manifattura. They have lots of Italian products there. And Locale Firenze is one of my favourites.
BA: What do you do that isn’t work-related when you have your days off?
GB: PlayStation. Watching TV series and sometimes read books and maybe go out for a walk. I like perfumery. So sometimes I study something outside of the cocktail bar like perfumery and think about how I can infuse it into the cocktail bar. I love doing these things.
BA: Who’s your favourite fictional bartender?
GB: I watch a lot of Gossip Girl.
BA: Love Gossip Girl.
GB: I love Gossip Girl, and they always drink martinis, red snappers and all those classic cocktails. And when I started to do this work, I watched Gossip Girl and I would go to bars asking for those cocktails.
BA: Right.
GB: I make the parallels between that life (the characters on the show) and I love it. But it’s too expensive so I learned to make the drinks myself.
BA: What’s the best advice that you’ve ever received?
GB: If you’re interested in something, try to not just to study it but actually live it.
BA: What’s something that you’re excited about?
GB: I’m excited about the new menu and to continue to following my dreams. I just want to continue to grow in this bar and maybe one day see what it’s like to work at another bar.
RETURN TO ALL HOSPITALITY GEMS
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Posted October 16th, 2026
