Antonio Mantelli

Antonio Mantelli, House 21 Manager

Antonio Mantelli, explains his role as House 21 manager, there is never a dull moment!

My introduction to the world of hospitality was working for my father’s bar in Rome and then going on to run it. My family have always run pizzerias / trattorias and bars, so it’s in my blood. In my free time I competed in freestyle bartender competitions across the world.

House 21 is my baby! When I think of Home House, I think of 21. To me it’s the gem in Home House. House 21 offers the opulence and chic of Home House but with a focus on late night dining and drinks – it’s an antidote to the busy working day. We provide a unique cocktail menu devised by our bartenders, an extensive tapas menu, and DJs every night till the early hours – a true party atmosphere! It is sophisticated, without taking itself too seriously.

There are four main areas to House 21 – each of which appeal to different desires and moods. My favourites are the House Bar, which is your classic speakeasy, and then the Lounge – which thanks to the lively design and some of London’s best DJs – is a perfect place to let your hair down.

We are very proud of our informal sharing concept menu which encompasses many nationalities and styles. My favourite dish is without doubt the octopus carpaccio. The beauty of our bar menu is the sheer choice on offer, boasting more than the other bars in-house. Saying that, my favourite cocktail is far from obscure: the Espresso Martini. You won’t find a better one in London!

For me, preparation is everything, and my day starts with learning from last night’s events, planning the day, and holding briefings with the team. We meet before every service as a team and learn from each other; communication is everything in hospitality and the only way we can grow. If I had to choose my favourite quality in my team members it would be those with the appetite to learn and develop. All of the team members have different talents, and helping them find their home within 21, whether it’s the vestibule bar with Robert, or in the lounge with Helen, is the fun part..

It’s hard to choose the best thing about House 21, but I must say that the team and the regular members are my two biggest loves. Watching the team build friendships with the members and to see their performances flourishing are always my proudest moments.

The most challenging thing here, like every bar, is staying exciting, relevant and consistent. We put a lot of time and effort into constantly evolving the menus and décor. It’s hard work but we see the benefits every day.

We have plenty of new aspects to House 21 this year. The main two that spring to mind are our live music every Wednesday where four musicians stroll around the house serenading our members. Secondly, we’ve increased the regularity of our live drag performances; we’re blessed with some of London’s best queens, and they never fail to dazzle.

The atmosphere does change throughout the night however, as our food menus run late into the evening. There’s no big shift in mood between dinner and post dinner; it’s a living space that caters to many moods and desires and there’s a spot in House 21 that is perfect for whatever mood a guest is in. The Gloucester Lounge is a big favourite for those wanting to talk the night away. Downstairs however, with the arrival of the DJ, the carpets are rolled up and people take to the dancefloor.

It’s hard to put into words what Home House can offer, there’s truly a spot for everyone. I think how it might differ from other members’ clubs is its elegance. Also we have dozens of staff who have been with the club for years and years, which says a lot about how we run things, and I’m sure that’s one of the main reasons the members can’t stay away.