Executive Overview
The convergence of South Florida’s vibrant coastal luxury and the timeless traditions of Milanese mixology has officially redefined the hospitality landscape along the Atlantic seaboard. The Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale has announced an ambitious, multi-year partnership with ViceVersa, Miami’s celebrated, James Beard-nominated aperitivo bar. Running through May 2026, "ViceVersa, A Fort Lauderdale Residency" marks a pivotal evolution in the region’s luxury hotel programming, turning a traditional hotel lobby into an immersive, high-design social hub.
This strategic residency does more than simply bring acclaimed cocktails to a new zip code; it represents a homecoming for Valentino Longo, co-owner of ViceVersa and an award-winning mixologist whose illustrious career is deeply intertwined with the Four Seasons brand. Ranked No. 56 on North America’s 50 Best Bars for 2025 and riding the wave of recent James Beard recognition, Longo’s return to the Four Seasons portfolio highlights a growing trend among luxury properties: partnering with independent culinary trailblazers to deliver authentic, hyper-local, yet globally inspired guest experiences.
Kicking off nightly at 5:00 PM, the residency transforms the Fort Lauderdale lobby into a sensory-rich lounge complete with intimate, low-slung seating, eclectic soundtracks that blend European lounge beats with American soul, and high-energy weekend DJ sets. Anchored by the vacation-inspired "Vacanza" cocktail menu—featuring creations like the Martini Doppio and the tropical-meets-Italian Rita—alongside three exclusive regional debuts, the residency serves as a seamless prelude or nightcap to the property’s Michelin-awarded culinary destinations, Evelyn’s Fort Lauderdale and MAASS. Operating entirely on a walk-in basis, this limited-time activation cements Fort Lauderdale’s ascent as a premier international destination for world-class food and beverage innovation.
Detailed Chronology: The Evolution of a Landmark Collaboration
The Genesis of a Partnership
The journey toward "ViceVersa, A Fort Lauderdale Residency" began long before the first shaker touched ice in the lobby of the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale. It traces its roots back to the professional evolution of Valentino Longo, whose pedigree within high-end hospitality laid the groundwork for this unprecedented collaboration. Having spent formative years honing his craft within the global Four Seasons ecosystem, Longo developed an acute understanding of luxury traveler expectations—an intuition that later fueled the creation of ViceVersa in Miami.
ViceVersa quickly captured the imagination of South Florida’s discerning palates by bridging the gap between Northern Italy’s relaxed, ritualistic aperitivo culture and Miami’s dynamic energy. As the bar climbed the critical ladder—securing a coveted spot on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list at No. 56 and earning a prestigious James Beard nomination—leadership at the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale recognized an opportunity to import this lightning-in-a-bottle momentum north to Broward County.
Conceptualizing the Lobby Transformation
Planning for the residency required a meticulous architectural and atmospheric reimagining of the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale lobby. Hotel leadership and the ViceVersa team sought to dismantle the traditional perception of a hotel lobby as merely a transitional space for check-ins and departures. Instead, they envisioned the area as the "social heart" of the property.
- The Golden Hour Shift: Beginning precisely at 5:00 PM every evening, the lighting design shifts, dimming the natural Florida sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows and introducing warm, ambient fixtures that cast a golden, intimate glow over the space.
- Acoustic Architecture: Curated playlists featuring a sophisticated blend of eclectic Italian lounge tracks and contemporary American melodies set a relaxed tone from Sunday through Thursday. As the weekend approaches, Friday and Saturday nights are energized by live DJ performances, seamlessly steering the space from a relaxed sunset lounge into a vibrant nocturnal hotspot.
- Operational Leadership: While Valentino Longo makes recurring guest appearances to engage directly with patrons and media, the day-to-day excellence of the residency is entrusted to Head Bartender Rosy Vilanova. Vilanova’s precision and deep comprehension of flavor profiles ensure that the high standards established in Miami are rigorously maintained on the Fort Lauderdale coast.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The Anatomy of the "Vacanza" Experience
The Philosophy of Aperitivo Meets South Florida
At its core, the residency is built upon the philosophy of the Italian aperitivo—the sacred pre-dinner ritual designed to stimulate the appetite, encourage conversation, and slow down time. However, Longo and his team refuse to simply replicate a Milanese bar in a tropical setting. Instead, they have engineered a cross-cultural dialogue, utilizing fresh South Florida citrus, herbs, and coastal ingredients to accent classic Italian spirits like amari, vermouths, and regional gins.
The "Vacanza" Menu Architecture
The cocktail program is structured around the overarching theme of Vacanza (the Italian word for vacation), designed to evoke different states of leisure, travel, and escapism. Notable serves anchoring the residency include:
- Martini Doppio: A sophisticated, savory evolution of the classic Gibson, featuring crisp botanical notes elevated by house-pickled onions that provide a sharp, clean contrast to the spirituous base.
- The Rita: A masterclass in cross-continental mixology, blending crisp tequila with sun-ripened mango, subtle spices, and a distinctive float of Barolo wine that adds structure, dryness, and a stunning visual gradient to the glass.
In addition to these signature mainstays, the partnership yielded three exclusive cocktails crafted specifically for the Fort Lauderdale residency, incorporating regional coastal elements unavailable at the original Miami brick-and-mortar location.
Integrating with Michelin-Accredited Culinary Excellence
The strategic placement of ViceVersa within the hotel lobby does not exist in a vacuum; it is designed to enhance an already formidable culinary ecosystem. The Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale is home to internationally acclaimed dining destinations, including Evelyn’s Fort Lauderdale and MAASS.
By introducing a world-class aperitivo bar to the lobby, the hotel has solved a classic hospitality challenge: creating a dynamic destination for guests to enjoy an unhurried apéritif before sitting down for a Michelin-awarded dinner, or to linger over a sophisticated nightcap once the dining rooms close. This holistic approach positions the property as a multi-venue culinary destination capable of satisfying the most demanding global epicures.
Official Statements: Perspectives from Leadership
The weight of this partnership is best understood through the perspectives of the key stakeholders driving the collaboration. Both hotel leadership and ownership emphasize that this residency is a milestone for both the brand and the destination of Fort Lauderdale at large.
Valentino Longo, Co-Owner of ViceVersa and Acclaimed Mixologist:
"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 moving recipes north; it’s about taking our foundational Italian heritage, infusing it with local South Florida ingredients, and creating a space where people can genuinely unwind, connect, and experience something entirely unique."
Mali Carow, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale:
"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, and we’re thrilled to offer this new lobby experience to our community and visitors—while welcoming Valentino back to Four Seasons with open arms."
Future Outlook: Setting a New Standard for Hotel Residencies
As the hospitality industry moves past traditional operational models, temporary and long-term residencies by acclaimed independent operators are proving to be powerful catalysts for brand enhancement. By partnering with a James Beard-nominated bar concept through May 2026, the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale has established a multi-year blueprint for how luxury hotels can continually refresh their public spaces without undergoing disruptive capital renovations.
For Fort Lauderdale, this residency is emblematic of a broader cultural shift. Once viewed primarily as a seasonal leisure escape, the city is rapidly maturing into an authoritative year-round epicurean hub. The presence of a world-renowned Miami bar program anchoring a major luxury hotel lobby signals to travelers, critics, and locals alike that Broward County’s dining and drinking scene commands serious international attention.
Visitor Information & Logistics
- Location: Lobby level, Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale (525 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL).
- Hours of Operation: Daily from 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM (Midnight).
- Reservations: Walk-ins only; early arrival is strongly encouraged during peak weekend hours.
- Duration: Running continuously through May 2026.
- Digital Hub: For updates, menu drops, and guest-bartender appearance schedules, visit the official Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale website.
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