Marcello Toscano has been named Head Bartender of The Spy Bar in London. After more than eight years in the British capital, his trajectory now converges with the speakeasy devoted to Agent 007, tucked inside the five-star Raffles London at The OWO, the former Old War Office on Whitehall. The bar operates under the direction of Sotirios Konomi.
London as a Training Ground
Eight years in London is far more than a line item on a résumé. Service, management and accountability acquire weight in a city where standards are unforgiving and competition constant. Toscano, now at the helm of The Spy Bar, brings that cumulative experience with him.
His career began in 2018. He first worked with the team at Drinks Factory, then moved to the Pachamama Group, with years spent refining the craft behind the bar. In 2019 he joined Scöut, the venue created by Matt Whiley and Rich Woods. There, his role shifted from station work to the lab. The focus became more technical: research, fermentation, seasonality, and direct relationships with producers and foragers. The bar became a site of experimentation as much as service.
Building Projects from the Ground Up
The next step was the opening of Noble Palace – Mi Bar, where Toscano took on the role of Head Bartender. The project was conceived from scratch: concept, beverage program, and the creation of a new laboratory space. He coordinated the team and assumed responsibility for training and mentoring bartenders. Launching a venue with two distinct bar identities required a broad creative vision and a willingness to take ownership of structure as well as flavor.
By 2022, Toscano had moved into a fully managerial role at A Bar with Shapes for a Name, founded by Remy Savage and Paul Lougrat, one of the most closely watched addresses in the City. As General Manager, he oversaw internal production and team development. He was also involved in the opening of Warehouse, engaging with expansion, financial performance and long-term planning.
A New Chapter at The Spy Bar
Today, Toscano’s profile reflects a balance between operational rigor and creative direction. Academic training has reinforced his analytical approach and organizational discipline, while years in London’s bars have shaped a leadership style grounded in daily team management and process.
For The Spy Bar, his arrival marks a consolidation of the team led by Bar Manager Sotirios Konomi and Assistant Bar Manager Davide Sinibaldi at a moment of growth for the project. The structure strengthens around a shared vision, operational precision and creative depth, with a common understanding of what contemporary high-end hospitality demands — and delivers.
Photo courtesy The Spy Bar
