Audioteca

SAN GIORGIO A CREMANO, NAPOLI, ITALY

Audioteca is the first ever audiophile venue to come to life in Italy, specifically in the Napoli province, thanks to the hard work of the four Co-Founders: Luca Esposito, Raffaele Pellone, Gianni de Marco and Matteo Russo.

In an exclusive interview with Bar Magazine following the Editor’s visit at the establishment, Luca, Raffaele, Gianni e Matteo reveal the story behind Audioteca and what they have managed to accomplish while still looking after their nightclub outlet, Basic.

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND AUDIOTECA?

“We had been thinking about the project for a while already, focusing on bringing a new bar concept to Italy. Inspired by the success of this business model in Japan, which then expanded internationally and was very popular in the ‘80s, this type of venue revolves around a curated music experience made possible only and exclusively by a Hi-Fi analogic sound system.

“We showcase local and international talents, providing a varied, yet selected range of genres in line with the atmosphere we want to set on a certain day. We combine the outstanding sound quality we deliver by reflecting this within other areas of our business, such as impeccable customer service and renovating our menu every six months with the freshest of ingredients and the most advanced techniques.”

AFTER OPENING IN OCTOBER 2021, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE BUILDING THE BUSINESS?

“We knew we could work well on this project as we already have experience within the hospitality industry, and we were keen to target a different demographic. We took a daring approach with some elements, but mostly followed the business model we adopted for Basic over the pandemic – such as more space for movement and sparse seating.

“For this reason, we had a great start, but we didn’t expect to reach such a wide audience in such a short period of time. Our social platforms, which we curate down to the smallest detail, definitely helped with this, alongside our choice of interior design and food and beverage offering.

“All the elements in Audioteca are carefully thought-through to deliver a great atmosphere every time. From the choice of music for the day to lighting and scent, our main goal was to create an extrasensory experience for our guests.”

SINCE YOU LOOK AFTER TWO VENUES, HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR WORKLOAD?

“Delegate, delegate, delegate… Everybody has their own tasks, skills and ambitions, so we all work together – founders included – to achieve our shared objectives for the business. Having a good-sized team definitely helps; when some of us are busy at Basic, the rest of us can keep things smooth at Audioteca.”

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE?

“We have created a format that can be efficiently replicated, so we hope to move forward with a possible expansion at some point. We always try to make our dreams a reality and transform the intangible into something concrete; I won’t hide that we are keeping the lookout for any opportunities coming our way, locally and abroad…

“For now, we know that we have built a brand that stands out from the crowd, however, we want to be of inspiration for others rather than competitors. Raising the bar, you know! We are a new generation of hospitality workers, so we are not against one another anymore.

“We also take education very seriously, whether it’s about telling a guest the key ingredients in our cocktail menu or answering somebody’s questions about what’s playing through our Hi-Fi system.”

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO UK OPERATORS LOOKING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN OUR INDUSTRY?

“Oh god, that’s a big question! I guess I can say the main thing is to be determined in executing your projects. Whether you have a considerable budget available or are trying to keep costs low, anything can be useful if you’re set to carry a certain idea out – as long as you get creative with it!”

@audioteca_

@basiclub_