As we push toward celebrating Long Beach Last Call 2025—a 10-day, multi-event celebration of our city’s rich bar culture and the people who make it happen—we will offer a series of features that highlight everything from our most stellar cocktail programs at restaurants to to the very events occurring (like this feature on Michael’s on Naples)… All in order to lift a glass to a social and economic driver that rarely receives the love its deserves: our bar industry. For more information on Long Beach Last Call, tap here.
Michael’s on Naples is now nearing two decades of serving the communities of Naples and Long Beach as a whole. Largely led by General Manager Massimo Aronne and Chef Eric Samaniego, the space has become synonymous with class, elegance, and some of the city’s best Italian food. Just as uplift-worthy is its beverage program, where Massimo leads the wine and bar manager Jocelyn Jolly heads the cocktails.
Between the two, Michael’s on Naples is a libation lover’s paradise—which is why the restaurant will host a spectacular, five-wine tasting for Long Beach Last Call 2025 and Jolly will serve up two special cocktails.
To look at some of Long Beach’s finest hospitality, look no further than Massimo Aronne of Michael’s on Naples.
To know Michael’s on Naples is to know its general manager, Massimo. Kind, knowledgable, and keen, the man has truly been the leader of what hospitality should and could look like in Long Beach if most took their jobs as passionately as Massimo. I am even pushed to say that those leading our hospitality game—Gillian Poe of Roe, Iano Dovi of The Attic, and Debra Zelenka, a protege of Massimo, when she was at Marlena immediately come to mind—all have Massimo to thank in some capacity.
Even more, the Italy native’s love for his culture and its offerings—particularly its wines—are par none: From introducing Long Beach to the world of Italian whites like Etna Biancos and Italian sauvignon blancs to an array of oft-dismissed varietals like Valtellina, Satèn, and even Lambrusco. When it comes to Italian wines, there is no one more knowledgeable than Massimo. And when it comes to pairing those wines with food while hosting, engaging, and educating, Massimo also stands par none.
Jocelyn Jolly leads one of the few woman-led cocktail programs
It is absurdly appropriate that one of Jocelyn’s cocktails for Last Call, the “Fair Verona,” has a rose-shaped ice chunk at its centerpiece. After all, it was just last year that Jocelyn expressed the frustration of being in a male-dominated industry that largely dismisses femininity.
“I cannot emphasize the amount of times I would hear from other men in the field, ‘That’s too many flowers’ or ‘Why is there a flower in that?’” Jocelyn said. “And to be frank: Fuck that. All my stuff is now going to be flowers. Flowers for you. Flowers for me. And flowers for everyone.”
Jocelyn’s ability to trust in herself has built what has become a steady patronage: People are still asking for old cocktails that she made long before she headed the bar and she has also learned how to err on the side of her clientele while dismissing her own ego. Influenced by (and somewhat eschewing) the very masculine approach Michael’s had toward cocktails before she began to lead the program, she now directs a program that beautifully balances feminine and masculine characteristics while uplifting the Long Beach cocktail scene.
What is this wine tasting all about at Michael’s on Naples?
Yes—for Long Beach Last Call 2025, Michael’s on Naples will be hosting a wine tasting paired with bites from Chef Eric Samaniego. Tickets are $50 per person and will offering a pretty stellar array of wines and bites:
- N.V. BRUT ROSE` METODO CLASSICO, FELSINA, TOSCANA (paired with pecorino Toscano and salame Felino)
- 2023 VERMENTINO DI GALLURA, JANKARA, SARDEGNA (paired with ahi tuna tartare and potato chips)
- 2023 ETNA ROSATO, PIETRADOLCE, SICILIA (paired with grilled swordfish and pesto trapanese)
- 2019 AGLIANICO, PIETRACUPA “QUIRICO”, CAMPAGNA (paired with mozzarella in carrozza and pomodoro sauce)
- 2020 BAROLO, MONCHIERO CARBONE, PIEMONTE (paired with grilled lamb loin and truffle puree)
And what about the cocktails being featured for Long Beach Last Call 2025 at Michael’s on Naples?
Playing with her love of theatre—particularly Shakespeare—Jocelyn has crafted a succinct, two-cocktail menu for Long Beach Last Call 2025.
Samsara: Nolet’s Gin | 400 Conejos Mezcal | Italicus Bergamot | Buddha’s Hand syrup | Lemon | Sage
Fair Verona: Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon | Meletti Amaro | Juliette peach liqueur | Absinthe
Wait–you mention Long Beach Last Call 2025. What is it?
Long Beach Food Scene: Last Call—or Long Beach Last Call 2025 if you wanna keep it simple—returns March 1 and run through March 10 with a series of events on each day that celebrates the city’s rich bar culture, community, and its workers. From industry-only and unlimited tastings events to cocktail contests and proper Irish coffee lessons, Long Beach Last Call will continue to be the premiere event celebrating Long Beach’s bar and cocktail culture.
After the success of my restaurant in 2023, Long Beach Food Scene Week, bar owners and tenders rightfully asked: “What about a week for us?” So I decided to oblige and present Long Beach Last Call last year, a ten-day long celebration of Long Beach’s amazing bar culture, it’s even more amazing workers, and the industry that often goes without recognition as one of our city’s largest economic and social drivers. And thousands of people proudly showed up. With the alcohol industry going through a roller-coaster of layoffs and rearrangements—from brands leaving distribution companies to brand representation shrinking nationwide—now is the time more than ever to support these incredible people.
Hence, Long Beach Last Call 2025. And Michael’s on Naples is a part of that—so go order a drink.
Michael’s on Naples is located at 5620 E. 2nd St. “Exploring Italy,” a five-wine tasting, will take place on Wednesday, Mar. 5, from 5PM to 7PM. For tickets, click here.
