Aline Vargas and the Birth of Gardenias
Aline Vargas
Aline Vargas teams up with Margarita Sader to open a fresh new cocktail bar, not in Buenos Aires, not in Barcelona, but in Lisbon.
Aline, you come from a hospitality background, can you give me a brief bio of your hospitality journey?
I was born into a family of women who always received with generosity, grace, and abundant food. Hospitality was never just work for me, it was joy, beauty, and a deep sense of connection. My journey began at the prestigious Swiss Hotel Management School in Montreux, Switzerland, followed by a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of Derby, UK, in 2001. Since then, I have never stopped, continually evolving and contributing to the industry. I’ve worked across Latin America and overseas for nearly two decades, between wellness, gastronomy, hotels and bar culture. From Brazil to Argentina, But it was in Buenos Aires, with the opening of my loved Florería Atlántico, that my love for storytelling truly took shape.
Your bar in Buenos Aires, Florería Atlántico has had worldwide acclaim, and Margarita, in addition to her clothing line, is partner of Paradiso in Barcelona. So how did this idea of opening something together spark between you?
Aline and Margarita embroidered jackets by MS Bartrends, Margarita’s clothing line. photo by Mayuka
Margarita and I have been friends and soul sisters for years. And we have such a beautiful admiration for each other. We’ve supported each other through life’s shifts and always dreamed of creating something together that inspires other people to. The idea for Gardenias started, like many beautiful things, over long dinners, hard laughs and shared dreams. We wanted a small space where we could pour all our stories, roots, femininity, and friendship into something tangible. Something lush, joyful, and delicious. And flourishing, of course.
Why do this project now?
Because we were finally ready personally, creatively, and emotionally. We both felt this urge to create a bar that didn’t feel like just another concept, but like a declaration of everything we love: flowers, friends, rituals, good music, meaningful cocktails, and beautiful energy. Gardenias is a celebration of the now of being alive, bold, soft and elegant all at once. And then Gardenias Lisboa come together.
Why did you choose Lisbon, a country with a different language, instead of a Spanish-speaking one?
Well Lisbon chose us. It’s a city that embraces contradictions it’s melancholic and vibrant at same time, nostalgic and contemporary. We felt at home here immediately. There’s something rich and open in Lisbon right now, a generosity of spirit and a love for culture, that made it feel like the right canvas. Also, Portuguese is a language I grew up with so while not Spanish, it’s still very much mine.
The colorful drinks photo by Mayuka
How will you be using the botanical and floral theme in your drinks list?
Our drinks are an extension of our garden and it’s a beautiful garden. Each one inspired by botanicals sides like fruits, flowers more from Caribbean area like Brazil and Venezuela Tropic. And our menu is specially designed by people that does not drink alcohol. All our drinks will be non-alcohol, an alcohol version, and a low ABV. The same drink in 3 versions.
How big is the bar, and what area of the city is it located in?
We’re in São Antonio, also known as Largo do Rato a charming and soulful neighbourhood that feels like a hidden charm in Lisbon. The bar itself is intimate very small for 14 people inside and about 24 seats in the terrace, we have a big, lush terrace. We wanted something full of flowers in a very bright emerald green atmosphere.
What kind of message are you sending to the world with the start of this venture?
“That beauty matters. That friendship can be a business model. That you can lead with empathy and still create something exceptional. That softness is not weakness, it’s radical strength.”
Who is your target client?
Anyone who walks in with curiosity and an open heart. We welcome any community, women who travel alone or men, cocktail lovers, artists, neighbors, and travelers. Gardenias is for those who want to slow down, taste something surprising, and feel something honest.
Photo by Mayuka
Photo by Mayuka
Do you plan to serve food at your bar?
Yes, like Caribbean tapas. Flora and Fauna. Full of fresh vegetables and fruits and you can choose Flora (vegetarian) or Fauna (with meat) Think: a celebration of Latin America in one bite.
How long did it take to realize the project?
The dream had lived in us for years. But from signing to opening? Around five to six months. We laughed, cried, painted walls, we cleaned and cleaned— we chose glasses, tested infusions, and held each other through every curveball, but the most importantthing is that through it all we were having so much fun.
What challenges have you had since you both live in countries other than Portugal?
It’s not easy but we’re used to traveling, juggling, improvising. We’ve had to trust people, build a team remotely, and surrender to a rhythm that isn’t always linear. But we always had the same compass point: make it beautiful, and make it ours.
Aline, I know you have kids, are you planning to spend more time in Europe now?
Aline with her two loves (besides her kids!)
Yes. My children Milo and Matilda are my greatest joy, and Lisbon has become a home for us too. They’ve seen this project grow from the very beginning, and I want them to feel part of it as well .Margarita feels that way, too. Gardenias is not just a bar it’s a family, a sisterhood, an adventure in friendship, a legacy in the making.
How do you differentiate yourself from other bars in Lisbon?
We bring a different language — not just linguistically, but emotionally. We speak of flowers, femininity, and softness in a space that’s usually fast-paced. We’ve created something sensual, elegant, and emotionally intelligent. That’s rare in this world.
Margarita models her embroidered vest photo by Mayuka
And what about the uniforms?
Margarita has designed them, of course and she had the uniform nailed down even before we got our location. It’s a vintage textile, French jacquard, almost fully embroidered by hand. Full of colors and flowers, palms and some Gardenias. It’s like a blazer jacket without sleeves with a bright silk green neck so you can see the colors of Gardenias straight away. Comfortable, flattering, and with botanical details. Beauty lives in the details.
What plans do you have for the upcoming year with Gardenias?
We want to grow slowly and intentionally perhaps with some collaborations, and more Gardenias around the world of course. Also a few pop-ups with women we admire, maybe even a line of Gardenias merch. But mainly: to protect the soul of the bar and let it bloom at its own pace.
Aline and Margarita, captured by Mayuka
Will you have a mostly female staff at Gardenias? How much will you and Margarita actually be there in the bar?
Yes, we are building a space where women or professionals feel safe and empowered. Not exclusively, but definitely majority. Margarita and I will be present not every night, but very much involved. We’re not absentee founders; we’re mothers of this bar.
What else would you like to tell us about Gardenias?
We hope this bar becomes a stage for many stories — not just ours. We want to support women and everyone that is willing in hospitality, to work with local artisans, producers, and not to be like a mall but an ecosystem of care. This is just the beginning.