Perched above the pulse of the Principality, Equivoque Monaco is not simply a venue, it is a perspective. A place where Monaco reveals itself through layers of sensation: the rhythm of the harbour, the glow of the skyline, and the rare feeling of being both immersed in the moment and elevated above it.
Located on the panoramic terrace of the boutique Hotel Miramar, Equivoque has, in recent years, emerged as one of the most intriguing and refined meeting points within Monaco’s nightlife and cultural landscape. Yet to describe it as merely a rooftop would be to miss its essence entirely.
Equivoque is an experience, one that engages not only sight, but memory, emotion, and the senses themselves.
At the origin of Equivoque lies the vision of Nicola Buratto, who sought to create a space that reflects Monaco at its most authentic: elegant yet approachable, sophisticated yet relaxed.
His ambition was not to build another luxury venue, but to craft a place where people connect naturally; residents, travellers, creatives, and professionals drawn together by atmosphere rather than occasion.
This philosophy is immediately tangible. There is no rigidity, no forced formality. Instead, Equivoque offers a fluid environment where moments unfold organically, where a simple aperitif evolves into conversation, and conversation into connection.
It is Monaco, distilled.
The Perfume Experience: A New Language of Mixology
At the heart of Equivoque lies its most iconic and disruptive concept: The Perfume Experience.
Rather than presenting a traditional cocktail menu, guests are invited into a sensory journey where scent becomes the guide. A curated selection of fragrances is introduced, each one carefully crafted to mirror the aromatic structure of a cocktail.
The process is intuitive. Guests select their drink not by reading ingredients, but by feeling. A scent, citrus, floral, spicy resonates, and that choice is then translated into a bespoke cocktail.
The result is deeply personal.
Each drink becomes an extension of the individual, of mood, memory, and instinct. It transforms mixology into something far more immersive: an emotional experience where taste follows scent, and logic gives way to sensation.
This concept alone has positioned Equivoque as a destination beyond Monaco, one that resonates internationally for its originality and refinement.
Photo credits: Matthieu Bonfiglio, Lucas Scherrer, and Yohan Godart.
The Journey of the Creator
Nicola Buratto, the creator of Equivoque has a very unconventional life, coveted by passion and bravery to challenge himself to achieve more in life.
Nicola grew up in Biella, a small town in northern Italy. At 23, he left a secure job at Banca Sella to become a lifeguard.
“I grew up in a small town and working in a bank was basically the dream for many people from Biella. But this was not my life call.
At the same time, I was teaching swimming to children at a local pool. One day, they suggested I get a lifeguard certification.
I thought I would never need it, but they insisted - “you’re already a swimming instructor, just do it.” So I did. Probably this was a point of awakening for me when I realised that I am not happy in the field of finance and I had the desire to change.”
Nicola left Biella behind and moved to the seaside to Mention, France.
“Then I left everything and moved to the seaside - to Menton, completely by chance. I arrived without speaking French, with just a backpack. I already knew which beach I had to go to. When I got there, they told me: “We open in two weeks, you can start by removing stones from the entire beach.” That was my start.
I called my father and told him I think I had made a mistake. But he said, “Just prove what you’re capable of.””
It was not exactly a conventional start for someone who would later become a manager. What was going through your mind at the time? Why leave a secure job in finance?
“I didn’t like being alone in an office, with only emails and phone calls as interaction. I’ve always had a strong inclination toward people - I need human contact. I wanted a more dynamic job, something international. And living by the sea had always been a dream.
When you’re a child and you go on holiday, you think: “How amazing would it be to live here?” So I told myself, this is an opportunity. Even if it’s just for six months - why not try?”
From lifeguard, Nicola became a bartender, and eventually bar manager within Monaco’s preeminent restaurant group, the Giraudi Group. The visionary restaurant concept creator Riccardo Giraudi inspired Nicola too.
“I realized it when I understood I could create something. For me, mixology means starting from an empty glass and deciding what to put inside - creating something unique for the client. I was never interested in just making classic cocktails.
My strength has always been creating something tailored to the person in front of me. Everyone has different tastes, different emotions - so why not create something specifically for them? To make them feel special from the very beginning.”
What about the Principality made you want to build something of your own?
“Monaco is a place of opportunity and connections. But opportunities don’t just come to you - you have to create them, just like relationships.
It’s not about arrogance, it’s about mindset. I enjoy building connections, and I believe it’s one of my strengths.”
Photo credits: Matthieu Bonfiglio, Lucas Scherrer, and Yohan Godart.
Realising Equivoque
At the time, Nicola lived in Fontvieille and worked in the Monte-Carlo area with the Giraudi Group. Every day he passed by Avenue d’Ostende and saw this empty terrace - from August to late November 2021.
“One evening, around 6:30 pm, I stopped. I went inside the hotel and asked for information. By chance, the receptionist I spoke to is now my assistant today. She told me the person in charge wasn’t there and offered to set up a meeting ten days later.
During those ten days, I thought: I have a meeting - what am I going to say? So I prepared a full presentation about myself, my idea, and my vision for the terrace. I knew it was a test. I thought, “They will never give me this opportunity - but at least I can create a connection.”
I presented the idea of a cocktail bar focused on experience rather than a traditional menu.”
What’s the problem with traditional cocktail menus?
“I don’t believe in giving clients a list of cocktails with ingredients. Most people don’t truly know spirits - and that’s completely normal. So why should they choose something they don’t fully understand? Instead, I wanted them to choose based on emotion and sensation.”
How did the perfume concept idea develop?
“It comes from a multisensory approach I learned from my trainer, Daniele Lo Squadro. He introduced me to the idea that you can influence perception through scent - making people believe they’re tasting something different.
When I had this opportunity, I called him. We worked together for the first three years of Equivoque. He was the one who said: why not create the first perfume-based cocktail menu in the world? At Equivoque, before anything else, we offer a multisensory experience. That’s the core.”
For those who haven’t experienced Equivoque, how would you describe it in terms of feeling?
“The name itself means misunderstanding. Guests hear music from outside but can’t see inside because of the plants. They arrive, sit down expecting a drink - and instead receive a box of perfumes.
The first reaction is: “Something’s wrong - I just wanted a drink.” That moment of surprise is intentional. We want guests to choose based on emotions and memories. That’s something rare.”
Grasse is the perfume capital of the world, just a short distance from Monaco. How do you work with the perfumers there, and how often does the menu change to reflect the season?
“We collaborate with a private company called Maison Fata, based in Grasse. Every three to four months, we completely renew the perfume menu to reflect the season. We start by designing the cocktails, and then work closely with the perfumers to recreate the exact same aromatic profile in scent. The goal is to ensure perfect coherence between what the guest smells and what they taste - creating a seamless multisensory experience.”
And the ritual?
“As soon as you sit down, you receive the perfume box. Like in a perfume shop, the team guides you through each scent. It’s not about identifying aromas - it’s about memories. A scent might take you back to a specific moment in your life. It can be emotional. We’ve had guests moved to tears.”
Equivoque opened in April 2022, with Prince Albert II present at the inauguration. What did that moment mean to you?
“It was incredibly important. The official opening was on April 2nd, with His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco in attendance.
He even suggested creating a signature cocktail for Monaco. I had already prepared one for the occasion. He tasted it and said: “This should be called Monaco Rocks.” That recognition meant a lot.”
Elia Secci, Equivoque Bar Manager, and Nicola Buratto
Photo credits: Matthieu Bonfiglio, Lucas Scherrer, and Yohan Godart.
A Living, Evolving Space
Equivoque is not static. It is a venue in constant evolution. Throughout the year, the terrace transforms effortlessly; hosting sunset aperitifs, curated DJ sets, private events, brand activations, and intimate gatherings. Its ability to adapt without losing its identity is one of its defining strengths.
The space can be fully privatized, allowing it to become whatever the moment requires: a social hub, a business setting, a celebratory stage. Yet regardless of the format, the underlying atmosphere remains unchanged; refined, cosmopolitan, and distinctly Monaco.
What truly elevates Equivoque, however, is its location. From the rooftop, the Port of Monaco stretches below like a living composition. Yachts move gently with the rhythm of the water, their reflections shimmering as daylight fades into evening.
The terrace overlooks Port Hercule, at the heart of Monaco’s Grand Prix circuit. How does this setting influence the experience?
“Of course, the location helps. But for me, the priority is hospitality. There are many beautiful places in Monaco. But very few offer a truly different beverage experience.
We are not just in the bar or restaurant business - we are in hospitality. I want guests to remember the service, the smile, the professionalism.”
It is a view that captures Monaco in its entirety, dynamic yet serene, vibrant yet suspended in time. From this vantage point, the Principality is no longer just observed, it is experienced. The energy of the city becomes something almost tangible, while the elevation creates a sense of calm detachment. It is, quite literally, Monaco from another perspective.
What kind of guest does the Miramar attract?
“It’s a boutique hotel with an intimate atmosphere. Our main clientele is business travelers, staying two to three nights. What sets us apart is the one-to-one relationship. We recognize returning guests, and there’s a genuine sense of connection.”
Where Lifestyle Meets Connection
In Monaco, access is often defined by proximity. At Equivoque, access is defined by atmosphere.
The venue attracts a diverse, international audience, individuals who move seamlessly between business and lifestyle, who value both discretion and connection.
You also host private events. What’s the most memorable one?
“A pre-wedding event for an English couple. What started as a simple gathering turned into a fully developed experience after two weeks of collaboration. Every guest left happy - it was incredibly rewarding.”
There is no hierarchy here, only presence. Conversations happen naturally, relationships form without intention, and the environment encourages a kind of openness that is increasingly rare.
After Equivoque’s success, you became General Manager of the Miramar Hotel. How does managing a hotel differ from managing a bar?
“The hotel is more demanding. A bar operates during specific hours; a hotel is 24/7.
My goal is to create a shared vision among the team - just like on the terrace. The happier the guests, the stronger the business becomes - for everyone.”
Photo credits: Matthieu Bonfiglio, Lucas Scherrer, and Yohan Godart.
The Essence of Equivoque
While Equivoque reaches its peak visibility during Monaco’s most iconic events, particularly the Grand Prix, it is not defined by them. Its true strength lies in its consistency.
Whether during a high-profile weekend or a quiet summer evening, the experience remains intact: the same attention to detail, the same sensory depth, the same effortless elegance. This is what transforms Equivoque from a venue into a destination.
What’s your favourite cocktail on the terrace?
“I’m quite classic in my taste. Being from Biella, close to Milan, I’ve always loved bitter flavours - Campari is definitely my favourite spirit. I also enjoy an Americano, and over the past couple of years I’ve started to appreciate vodka more as well.”
At its core, Equivoque is about perception. It invites guests to experience Monaco not through expectation, but through feeling, through scent, sound, light, and connection.
It is a place where time slows, where moments linger, and where the city reveals itself in a more intimate, more personal way. Not just a rooftop, but a different way of experiencing Monaco.
Now in its fifth season, what surprises you most about Equivoque today?
“The fact that we’re still here. Longevity is not easy. What makes me most proud is the team. They’re not just employees - they’re collaborators. Many have been here from the beginning. They believe in the project. The same goes for our partners and sponsors - they continue to support us year after year.”
Where do you see Equivoque and Miramar in five years?
“For the hotel, we plan to renovate and improve services.
For Equivoque, I don’t aim to be the best cocktail bar in the world. I want people to talk about us with a smile-to carry the experience with them.”
What has Monaco given you, and what has it taken?
“Monaco gave me the opportunity to grow incredibly fast. In eight years, I went from bartender to General Manager. It also gave me the chance to meet inspiring people and create opportunities. What it took is distance from my family. But it also gave me new relationships - and I met my partner here. So now, I think I’m staying for life.”
Are you expecting anything special this year?
“Of course - the best collaboration ever… with Living in Monaco magazine.”