1. Ignacio Maggio | Cardó

The arrival of Argentine mixologist Ignacio Maggio marked a turning point in Ecuador’s cocktail scene. What began as a one-off collaboration became a full blown revolution—one that still echoes behind every bar he’s touched.

He was initially brought in to reinvent the bar at Cardó Restaurant, Maggio did more than deliver: he stayed, transforming the local scene one cocktail at a time. His creativity and care for the craft has earned him the Best Bartender award in our SUMMUM guide, a recognition as much about his technical mastery as his vision.

Maggio is not your typical bartender. He’s a virtuoso of experience, one who understands that great bartending demands far more than mixing spirits. It’s a profession that requires discipline, memory, agility, even empathy, and, above all, storytelling. Each cocktail must be balanced not only in flavor but in feeling, and Maggio delivers that balance with grace and scientific rigor alike.

After more than a decade behind the bar, Maggio is now Beverage Director for both Cardó Restaurante and Acorde Bar, the latter included in the “50 Best Discovery” list for its avant garde approach. At Acorde, everything from the lighting to the playlists echoes his philosophy: that a cocktail should tell a story through flavor, aroma, and atmosphere. “You can apply every technique in the world,” he says, “but if your cocktail isn’t better than a Pisco Sour, just make a Pisco Sour.”

His recipes, like the Cenit—a gin based creation with grapefruit, turmeric syrup, and ginger beer—is an exercise in balance and harmony. His savoir faire evokes the patience of a chef. And his inventiveness, the spirit of an artist. His bars reflect it: elegant, surprising, and warm.

Since arriving in Ecuador, Maggio has worked across some of the country’s finest establishments, bringing a global sensibility rooted in technique and taste. He has mentored young bartenders, proving that mastery is equal parts craft and character, that the best in the business are not just mixologists but excellent hosts, psychologists, and performers… all rolled into one.

Ignacio Maggio changed Ecuador’s urban nightlife scene. He redrew it, fusing his personal insight with the country’s culinary energy, cementing his legacy in every cocktail and every bar that bears his imprint.