In Monza, ambition comes with a twist of creativity. Saint, the elegant yet relaxed venue opened in 2022, has chosen to reimagine the cocktail list as something far more immersive—a compact lifestyle magazine complete with interviews, reflections, and of course, drinks. There’s even an Astro Spirits section, matching each zodiac sign with a spirit to suit its character. Intrigued?
A Menu That Reads Like a Magazine
“The magazine-style drink list wasn’t part of the original plan,” admits general manager Nicoló Centemero. “It seemed too complex to execute and communicate. But creating a work tool with an editorial edge had been a dream of mine for years.”
With Saint’s “informally elegant” philosophy—also the venue’s tagline—the right context finally arrived. “This format lets us tell the story of Saint Monza, of the people who live it, and what happens at and beyond the bar counter,” Centemero explains. “Over time, it also became a way to highlight the partners who share our vision. The goal was to design a drink list that could actually be read like a magazine.”
Cocktails with Character at Saint Monza
Inside the pages are twist on classics, alcohol-free creations and signature cocktails—eighteen in total, divided into three categories of six. Every recipe is built around premium ingredients, but the project reaches beyond the drinks themselves. “We wanted the list to reflect who we are, where we are, who we work with, and why we do things this way. It’s a tool of identity before it’s a tool of service,” says Centemero.
The process, however, wasn’t without challenges. “Ideas kept evolving, and deciding what truly fit the concept was a challenge. We would have loved to write more pages, but we chose to focus on what feels meaningful right now. Above all, we wanted something intuitive and accessible for guests.”
Two Editions a Year—and Growing
With plans for two editions a year, Saint Monza aims to make the publication a collectible. “We’re already producing content for the next issue, which will debut around November. Some guests told us they want to collect each edition—that really encouraged us to keep going, hoping to refine it year after year, story after story, drink after drink.”
The Many Faces of Saint Monza
Saint is more than a cocktail bar. It moves seamlessly from breakfast to aperitivo, from dinner to listening bar. The team reflects this versatility: alongside Centemero are bar manager Greta Minotti, head bartender Giorgia Bertolini, chef Maria Cristina Galimberti, and owners Stefania Aliprandi and Gabriele Viola Boros. Evenings often feature DJ sets curated by Milo Mischi, who has brought to Monza talents such as Kenny Carpenter, Eddy Costella, Alex Farolfi and DJ Jad.
Images courtesy Saint Monza
