‘the nymphs drink ambrosia (the gods’ nectar) and satyrs pursue all voluptuousness and fluttering silk. Come, walk with us, celebrate pleasure and live in freedom’
The National Gallery of Modern Art of Rome is a marvelous building; one of many in the city thatmakes you stop, stare, and be amazed by the great power buildings can have. In front, on a climbing hill, starts the northern part of villa Borghese. What joins the two together is a wide staircase holding the connection between nature and architecture to a magnificent point of view and a delicate balance you reach so rarely in urban spaces. On the center of that staircase, between two beautiful and properly large fountains, Satyrus was founded. Such a simple idea and so clever it is, capturing that moment at night when the lights of the museum glow and you just want to sit in front of it, have a drink, and enjoy the beauty as the museum tells you that time is out of joint.
Satyrus is a temporary bar. The furniture and decor looks like they were taken from an aristocrat’s garden party. The counter is the only permanent structure and the core of this production, being in charge of the whole cosmic energy. However, the leading actor is the stage: simple and low, temporary and contemporary. It consists of the magic: visible but also transparent, thus allowing the audience to enjoy the two worlds, on the stage and behind it, a fragile nuance between still monument and performance movement throughout the rhythm of the night. According to the website, this stage is a place for exciting performers extravagant dancers and excellent jazz and swing groups.
To complete the experience and invite other senses, a big team stands behind the bar and show themselves quite a performance of bartending: shaking, stirring, and pouring classic or inventive cocktails, presenting their version of modern art.
Whereas Satyrus is a temporary bar taking place under a clear blue sky, the weather in Rome does not change so quickly and Italian winter takes his time, arriving slowly and late, letting us enjoy open air and outdoor places like these for a while.
Satyrus is frequently attended, mostly by local art lovers who know about this secret roman venue defined as: A refined space where everything is possible, where everyone can go back in time and enjoy the solemnity of the eternal city.
There is something in common among the bon vivant spending the evening around this wonder; a certain status, no matter age or origin. A unique occasion called the night gathers everyone, dressed up nicely, to watch and be watched; and the scenery is truly beautiful. The place is getting full at quite the late hour, giving the observer the feeling that something great is about to happen. It seems to me that the greatness of the place stands between the show and the audience, whether some perform or not, the show is going on and as late as it gets, the small hours merge better with the magic.
Satyrus has many references throughout history, which raises curiosity about the choice of the name and goes along with the mystery it has built. On their Facebook page you will read (translated from Italian) ‘the nymphs drink ambrosia (the gods’ nectar) and satyrs pursue all voluptuousness and fluttering silk. Come, walk with us, celebrate pleasure and live in freedom’. If the nymphs suddenly were to get out of the fountain and have an ambrosias cocktail or have a performance on the stage, it would not be too strange or unexpected.
In this special environment among the pine trees so closely identified with Rome, it seems that only the rising sun will sever and bring down the curtain on Satyrus, sending all mysterious creatures home to get ready for a new day.
Open: everyday from 18:00 to 02:00
Every Tuesday – Le Cirque Event
Every Wednesday – Coconut Tropical Garden
Satyrus. Premium Temporary Bar
Scalea Bruno Zevi (you can reach it by Tram 19)
+39 3319494000
www.satyrus.it
