The owner and manager of an Italian bar have enjoyed the trials and tribulations - and the success - of their first six months in the city. The pair sat down with The Herts Advertiser to discuss why Barcuccio has become a "social hub" for the community.
Nestled in Holywell Hill, Baruccio has added a vibrant mix of cocktails, wine expertise and speciality coffee to the area.
Headed by owner Gabriele, the bar launched on Thursday, September 25, last year, and has continued to evolve and expand its menu, while listening to feedback from customers.
Reflecting on the first six months, he said: "For a small place like us, having regular customers has been very helpful, it has been pleasing to see. We have people returning frequently.
"We are now perceived more like an aperitivo bar than a pure Italian wine bar because the offering is larger. We do cocktails, we do beer, soft drinks. We want to be a social hub, somewhere that is very accessible to everyone.
"Since the beginning we have faced that identity challenge - is Baruccio a wine bar or a coffee shop? The hardcore wine drinkers still perceive us as a coffee shop that does wine, and the hardcore coffee drinkers think the opposite."
When asked what he has learnt from starting Baruccio, Gabriele said:
When you start an independent business you have the power to adjust everyday, you have the power to listen to your customers and look at what they want or don't. That is what we have been doing since we started this, every single day I think about what we can change and what we can improve."
The name Baruccio - meaning "my dear local bar" - reflects the vision that Gabriele wishes to put forward. He believes that the continental concept can work with a coffee shop that "transitions" into a wine bar during the evening.
New manager Alex, who joined in November 2025, suggested that people are warming to the idea "slowly but surely".
He commented: "We are trying to create a social hub in St Albans where people can come together whether that be a coffee in the morning or having a glass of wine at night, a place that people feel comfortable.
We had a customer in the other day, his son said to me 'this bar feels really nice, it feels like a place on holiday that you stumble upon and you want to return there every night', that idea is so important to us."
His previous experience working at Brasserie Blanc as a cocktail trainer has helped Baruccio to expand its menu. The manager is also well-travelled, with recent exploits in Italy only growing his passion for cocktails.
Alex hopes to be "one step ahead" of the competition with a larger range of spritz and a focus on pairing speciality coffee and alcohol to "elevate" their espresso martini menu.
The pair are combining their extensive knowledge too, with Gabriele utilising his experience with Italian wine - there is no question he does not know the answer to.
Like many other independent business in the area, trade over the weekend is strong, but during the week there are less customers coming through the door.
Gabriele explained: "Often on a Friday evening we have to send people away, but on a Wednesday it is much easier to walk-in and grab a table. I think the week is when more people need to come out and support our independents."
To combat this, the team have curated a food menu based on an Italian breakfast, launching the first week of May. The menu includes focaccias, alongside fresh homemade yoghurts and pesto - much of this will be locally-sourced and seasonal.
Baruccio's coffee offering has also increased, featuring beans from across the world and five new blends for customers. They also plan to continue doing events which have proved popular thus far.
"The events have been very successful, the wine tastings in particular have been popular," Gabriele said.
"People crave experiences like this, all of them have been fully booked up. We will continue to run several events."
A new Monday club will be hosted by Alex where customers can play old-school games with drinks deals and pizza focaccias. "It would be good to offer something that people can look forward to on a Monday night," he said. The event kickstarts on Monday, May 11.
Baurccio has an impressive 4.9/5 stars on Google reviews, which Gabriele hopes to maintain.
One said: "Baruccio is exactly what St Albans has been missing! Incredible wine, the perfect cheese and meat board with the excellent focaccia."
While another commented: "Excellent coffee and sublime focaccia Sandwich. Perfect spot for your lunch break and for the wintery rainy evening."
Looking to the future Alex concluded, "we still have things to do, but we are slowly getting to where we want to be.
"The summer is going to be exciting for Baruccio."
Baruccio has an events page on its website here https://www.baruccio.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOopJrb5WvFjTjj3MsZFHx_UAy6WVQlo4sRf4TBYrOqd-WdZ0GNgD
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