Jarrett Sabatini’s Intermezzo Coffee and Cocktails has been a rave success since opening its doors in 2016. Originally just a pop-up concept, Jarrett was able to capitalize on the success with a fully-fledged business. Now he has his sights set on a new venture, Bar Mezzo, which will be located across the street at 1049 Central Avenue in the EDGE District.
Following the success of Intermezzo, Bar Mezzo will contain similar DNA, with many of the extant cocktail recipes remaining available, but instead of having part of the space a dedicated café, Bar Mezzo will amplify the cocktail program.
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“I have no doubt that this will be the best cocktail lounge in the city,” says Jarrett, who has spent the last 10 years sleuthing out the best cocktail bars in the world to conceptualize Bar Mezzo. Compared to Intermezzo, Bar Mezzo will boast more space, 1,600 square feet inside and 800 outside, as opposed to Intermezzo’s 1,400 (interior) and 400 (exterior), respectively.
Bar Mezzo will boast a mid-century Italian design
The décor is all custom-made, such as the navy blue banquettes, brass sconces, marble tables with cast iron bases, penny tile hex flooring (mimetic of the hex stones paving the side-walks of St. Pete) more loungy atmosphere, a swanky sound system, and other state-of-the-art equipment. “I want [Bar Mezzo] to feel cozy at night, dark, and intimate,” says Jarrett. “A mid-century Italian design.”
The grass lot outside will be fully landscaped with outdoor seating, dramatically increasing the footprint for customers to experience this scratch kitchen for cocktails. The cocktails will span everything from classic staples to scientific originals that use avant-garde techniques.
Bar Mezzo will tentatively open in September 2024, while back across the street, Intermezzo will remain open, but with a reduced cocktail menu, becoming more of an aperitivo and wine bar, like a Roman Café, and, of course, the coffee will continue to brew there, too.
Follow Bar Mezzo on Instagram for updates.
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