Executive Overview
The intersection of South Florida luxury and Milanese bar culture has officially found a new home. In a landmark collaboration bridging Miami’s burgeoning mixology scene and Fort Lauderdale’s rapidly evolving culinary footprint, the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale has launched a sweeping, extended-duration partnership with ViceVersa, Miami’s celebrated James Beard-nominated aperitivo destination.
Running through May 2026, "ViceVersa, A Fort Lauderdale Residency" has fundamentally transformed the hotel’s architectural core, turning its central lobby into a vibrant, sensory-rich social hub. This long-term activation brings the sophisticated ethos of Northern Italy’s aperitivo hour—characterized by sessionable, botanical-forward drinks, social grace, and effortless design—and anchors it firmly against the backdrop of the Atlantic coastline.
For the Four Seasons brand, this partnership represents more than a pop-up; it is a calculated masterstroke designed to capitalize on Fort Lauderdale’s ascent as a premier destination for world-class food and beverage. By importing the creative genius of ViceVersa co-owner Valentino Longo—an alumnus of the Four Seasons network—the hotel has effectively blurred the lines between hospitality, high-end mixology, and immersive lifestyle entertainment. Operating daily from 5:00 PM to midnight on a strictly walk-in basis, the residency introduces an exclusive cocktail menu, curated sonic landscapes, and a nightly atmospheric shift that redefines what a luxury hotel lobby can achieve.
Detailed Chronology: The Evolution of a Landmark Collaboration
The conceptualization and execution of the ViceVersa residency did not happen overnight; it is the culmination of shared professional roots, meticulous logistical planning, and a mutual desire to push the boundaries of coastal hospitality.
Laying the Groundwork
Discussions for the residency began taking shape as ViceVersa cemented its status as one of Miami’s premier culinary crown jewels. Ranked No. 56 on North America’s 50 Best Bars for 2025 and earning a prestigious James Beard nomination, the Miami establishment had already proven its capability to draw national and international acclaim. However, expanding northward presented a distinct challenge: how to translate an intimate, urban Milanese concept into a sprawling, luxury beachside resort without losing its signature soul.
The answer lay in shared DNA. Valentino Longo’s professional background is deeply intertwined with the Four Seasons family, making the Fort Lauderdale property a natural site for a homecoming. Longo and the Four Seasons executive team spent months designing a seamless integration that would utilize the hotel lobby’s unique architecture—shifting it from a sun-drenched coastal entryway by day into an intimate, moody social parlor by nightfall.
The Launch and Daily Transformation
The residency officially opened its doors to hotel guests, residents, and local patrons, instantly establishing a new daily rhythm within the property.
- 5:00 PM – Dusk: The lobby undergoes its daily metamorphosis. As the South Florida sun begins to dip below the horizon, the natural light flooding the floor-to-ceiling windows is complemented by strategic, warm interior lighting. Intimate seating arrangements are activated, creating pockets of privacy within the grand open-plan space.
- Evening Operations: Head Bartender Rosy Vilanova takes command of the daily beverage program, executing the intricate cocktail specifications designed by the ViceVersa team. While Longo makes scheduled guest appearances to interact directly with patrons and impart his personal touch, Vilanova ensures the strict standards that earned ViceVersa its accolades are maintained seven nights a week.
- The Weekend Shift: On Friday and Saturday nights, the sonic profile of the lobby shifts. A curated lineup of resident DJs brings an elevated, energetic pulse to the space, fusing eclectic Italian lounge beats with contemporary American rhythms. This transition transforms the lobby from a quiet pre-dinner destination into a vibrant weekend hotspot.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The Anatomy of a Modern Mixology Powerhouse
To fully understand the weight of the ViceVersa residency, one must examine the metrics and cultural shifts driving South Florida’s beverage landscape.
The Rise of the Aperitivo Culture
The traditional Italian aperitivo—the ritual of drinking and light snacking before dinner designed to stimulate the appetite—has seen a dramatic surge in American adoption over the last half-decade. Unlike heavy, high-proof American cocktail programs that historically dominated hotel bars, aperitivo culture champions sessionability, lower ABVs, botanical complexity, and an emphasis on lifestyle over mere consumption.
ViceVersa mastered this delicate balance in Miami, using vermouths, amari, fortified wines, and house-made infusions to create drinks that are both intellectually stimulating for cocktail connoisseurs and approachable for casual vacationers. Bringing this philosophy to Fort Lauderdale captures a growing consumer demand for balanced, sophisticated drinking experiences.
The "Vacanza" Menu Architecture
At the heart of the residency is "Vacanza", a masterclass in menu conceptualization designed around the Italian philosophy of leisure and vacation. The beverage program is engineered to transport guests across different psychological landscapes of relaxation.
- Martini Doppio: A sophisticated, savory twist on the classic Gibson, featuring expert saline notes, house-pickled onions, and a pristine structural balance that highlights premium gin and dry vermouth.
- The Rita: A tropical yet restrained masterpiece that marries the earthy punch of authentic tequila with bright, luscious mango profiles, elegantly finished with a float of bold Barolo wine that bleeds visually and texturally into the glass.
In addition to these proven staples, the mixology team has engineered three exclusive cocktails developed specifically for the Fort Lauderdale residency. These secret additions incorporate local South Florida citrus, coastal herbs, and regional agricultural nods, bridging the gap between Milanese tradition and the Gold Coast environment.
Elevating the Culinary Ecosystem
The timing of the ViceVersa residency is strategically aligned with Fort Lauderdale’s broader culinary renaissance. The city has rapidly shed its reputation as merely a casual beach town, morphing into a serious gastronomic destination.
At the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale, the lobby bar does not exist in a vacuum; it acts as an essential connective tissue within the property’s culinary ecosystem. Positioned as either a sophisticated prelude or a lingering finale, the residency complements the hotel’s celebrated, Michelin-awarded dining destinations, including Evelyn’s Fort Lauderdale and MAASS. By offering a world-class bar program in the central lobby, the property ensures that every stage of a guest’s evening—from the first aperitivo to the final nightcap—is anchored by uncompromising excellence.
Official Statements: Leadership Perspectives
The partnership has generated significant enthusiasm from the leadership teams at both ViceVersa and the Four Seasons, reflecting the high stakes and mutual respect underlying the collaboration.
Valentino Longo, co-owner and visionary behind ViceVersa, expressed deep emotional and professional ties to the venture:
"Bringing ViceVersa to Fort Lauderdale allows us to expand on our original intention and share the joyful act of aperitivo with even more guests. This residency isn’t just about recreating our Miami menu; it’s about taking our foundational Italian heritage, injecting local South Florida ingredients, and crafting an entirely unique sensory experience that feels right at home against the Atlantic."
Mali Carow, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale, highlighted the broader economic and cultural impact of the partnership on the local market:
"Fort Lauderdale continues to emerge as a destination for world-class food and beverage experiences, and this residency adds a dynamic new layer to that story. ViceVersa brings an elevated yet playful spirit that aligns perfectly with the lifestyle of our hotel. We’re thrilled to offer this new lobby experience to our community and visitors alike, and we welcome Valentino back to the Four Seasons family with open arms."
Future Outlook: Setting a New Standard for Hotel Hospitality through May 2026
As the hospitality industry continues to recover and innovate in a post-pandemic landscape, traditional hotel operating models are facing intense scrutiny. The conventional, quiet hotel lobby bar—often treated as a mere transit zone for checking-in guests or waiting for a table—is rapidly becoming an obsolete concept.
Through its multi-year commitment running all the way through May 2026, the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale and ViceVersa are setting a new benchmark for how luxury properties can activate underutilized square footage. By turning the lobby into a pulsating social anchor, the hotel is capturing not only its resident guests but also local Fort Lauderdale residents, affluent travelers from Miami, and culinary tourists who travel explicitly for top-tier bar programs.
What Lies Ahead
Over the course of the residency, patrons can expect seasonal menu rotations that adapt to agricultural shifts, special guest bartender collaborations bringing international talent to the Fort Lauderdale coast, and immersive masterclasses designed to educate local enthusiasts on the nuances of Italian mixology.
As the program matures toward its 2026 conclusion, it is expected to permanently alter the expectations of luxury hospitality in Broward County. It proves that world-class mixology does not require a hidden speakeasy door or a dark basement; sometimes, the greatest impact is made right in the open, where the golden light of the Mediterranean meets the vibrant pulse of South Florida.
Visitor Information & Quick Facts
- Location: Lobby Level, Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale (525 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL)
- Dates of Operation: Now through May 2026
- Hours: Daily from 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM (Midnight)
- Seating Policy: Walk-ins only (Reservations not required)
- Entertainment: Live DJ sets every Friday and Saturday evening starting at sunset.
- Official Website: Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale
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