All Mixed Up: Neon Pigeon’s Bar Manager and World Traveler, Mario La Pietra
Asia's got a knack for knowing the best ways to unwind, and we're diving into that vibe with "All Mixed Up." You'll find us in cool bars, drink in hand, escaping the tropical heat and spicing up our nights. With this series, we're exploring Asia's hottest bar scenes, chatting with the wizards behind the concepts and drinks — mixologists, bartenders, brewers, and more. Whether you're a cocktail whiz or just curious about the craft, we're serving up the stories behind the faces that fuel our nights out. So grab a drink and relax as we uncover the secrets behind our favorite bars. Trust us, these stories are best served chilled!
Singapore is a city that knows how to drink. Because while the island is known for its urban landscapes, traditional Peranakan houses, and incredible hawker food, it is also known for a rich cocktail culture. The city’s bars are award-winning, consistently placing among bodies such as Asia’s 50 Best Bars. And of course, who can forget the Singapore sling? Beloved worldwide but invented in the city, this gin-based cocktail is reputed to have first come about in the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel. Needless to say, it has become a worldwide favorite.
Among the many innovative bars in Singapore is Neon Pigeon, a chic izakaya that finds its home on Carpenter Street. Known for “disruptive” Japanese food, Neon Pigeon reinvents Tokyo classics to create vibrant dishes that truly stand out. Of course, they also serve drinks.
Presented on a menu that plays with manga-themed art, Neon Pigeon experiments with cocktail flavors and alcohol levels. There are tipples made with yogurt liqueur, calamansi, Sakura, and tea. Customers also have the option to choose between full proof drinks (traditional, boozy beverages), half proof sips (with half the amount of booze), and zero proof glasses (no alcohol), making for a comprehensive drinking experience that anyone can enjoy.
The man behind the bar – whom you’ve already probably met, should you have any experience at Neon Pigeon – is Mario la Pietra, an Apulia native who’s travelled the world studying drinks and drinking culture.
Originally a chef in training, Mario first fell in love with cocktails as a teenager when, during his second year at a Hotel and Catering School in Italy, he entered a cocktail competition with zero knowledge of cocktails. Albeit a disaster, Neon Pigeon’s future Bar Manager and Creative Beverage Director was inspired. “I want to do this,” he said to himself.
Fast forward 23 years and Mario has learned plenty. He is no longer a stranger to the bar scene and has worked in major cities around the world. He’s trained in his home country of Italy, serving at the Maison Moschino Hotel in Milan before moving over to the Corinthia Hotel in London, where he acted as head bartender. His resume in London also saw him at the Salvatore’s Bar in the Playboy Club of London and at The Luggage Room in Marriott at Grosvenor Square.
In 2014, he embarked on a new adventure in Australia, where he spent time between Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. He then headed off to Latin America, traveling around the Rio Negro in the Amazon with his brother. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he settled down for a few months in Sao Paulo Brazil before moving to Hong Kong and joining The St. Regis Bar.
“I lived in London for four years. I also spent a total of four years in Australia, between Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney, followed by a stint in Hong Kong for three years. Telling you more about it will need a Netflix series,” he jokes. “But I learned to be open-minded through my travels.”
Among his most recent sojourns is his January 2025 trip to Manila, where Neon Pigeon held a collaborative dinner experience with Uma Nota.
The first collaboration for the Manila-based restaurant brought Mario’s skill behind their marble countertop bar where he expertly crafted a menu of tipples, smoothly pouring, shaking, and mixing drinks while chatting up guests – all without breaking a sweat.
“The two-day pop-up at Uma Nota was such a great experience! We had a great turnover of people,” he shares proudly. “Unfortunately I didn’t spend a lot time there as we were only in town for three nights, but I’ll definitely come back to discover what this great city has to offer.”
Today, the Italy native calls Singapore home, joining Neon Pigeon’s dynamic team and elevating the experience for customers every day. "Neon Pigeon brought to me Singapore. It appealed to me because it seemed more dynamic compared to what I was during back then at The St. Regis Hong Kong," he shares.
Needless to say, Mario believes strongly in the other talents that Singapore home, and urges people to try as many bars as they can simply because there are so many great ones.
For himself, he’s a big fan of Neon Pigeon’s Singapore (Rie)sling, which is a reimagined tribute to the Singapore sling. The drink is fruity, tropical, and smooth, made with citadelle gin, Ferrand 1840 cognac, Planteray pineapple rum, cherry, almond, coconut whey, and peanut aerosol. The sweetness comes with an edge from the liquor, tempting drinkers with a fruity fragrance.
Mario has also recently invented a fun drink he likes to call the “MargaRuta." Citrusy, vibrant, and fresh, this new tipple combines Nardini Grappa alla ruta, which is rue-infused grappa, Ocho Blanco tequila, Nardini Acqua di Cedro (liqueur made from lemons), lemon juice, and lemon sherbet.
But for a seasoned professional like Mario, greatness doesn’t just lie in the flavor of a drink.
“Balance makes a good drink, but it’s also everything that happens before,” he points out. “The atmosphere, the vibes, the surroundings – it’s everything you experience even before the bartender starts to mix the ingredients to serve you.”
An expert in his field, Mario’s passion for a good drink – and a good time – has brought him to places he least expected. It only proves one thing: that there is a universal love for social connection, good food, and good drink and Mario is here to provide it.
"I love how Neon Pigeon has me on the road for guest shifts, pop ups and collabs with different bars," he shares. "I get to attend trade shows and events worldwide and there are always plenty of interesting people to meet [around the world]."
Should you like to visit, Neon Pigeon welcomes guests to make their reservations online through their website. They are located at 36 Carpenter St, #01-01, Singapore 059915
Enjoyed this article? Check out our previous All Mixed Up profiles here.
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