The Kempinski Hotels properties are known globally as being amongst the finest of their type. The 127-year-old company has built its reputation on its extraordinary attention to detail, which extends to its luxurious bars. In this feature, with the assistance of Papa Charly, we look at five bars that frequently appear on international mixologists’ favourite lists.
For fans of extraordinary cocktails and exclusive bar culture, the 82 luxurious Kempinski Hotels bars, designed to provide the highest enjoyment, are no longer a well-kept secret. The creativity of the expert mixologists at these modern hotel bars, located in some of the world’s most stunning destinations, goes far beyond James Bond’s classic shaken martini.
Before we explore what the five featured bars offer, we’ll hear from the expert who provided us with unique insight.
“Today’s modern hotel bars have a high recreational value for guests, which we deliver through contemporary design, bar talents and a product range tailored to current bar scene trends,” says Serhan Kusaksizoglu, Corporate Director of Bars & Concepts for the international hotel group, who is affectionately known as ‘Papa Charly’ among his colleagues and mixology enthusiasts.
He added, “Developing extravagant bar concepts and nurturing mixology talents in our five-star hotels are both my motivation and my passion.”
Kusaksizoglu’s passion for bars was inspired by his grandfather, who owned a tavern in Istanbul. After completing his hotel management training, Kusaksizoglu was drawn behind some world-famous bar counters, where he gained experience at iconic establishments such as the legendary Schumann’s Bar in Munich.
His 11 years of experience in luxury hotels across Asia, particularly in Hong Kong, have significantly enriched his innovative ideas for Kempinski’s bars.
“A top bar in a luxury hotel must be a destination within a destination,” says Papa Charly.
“However, it’s not just about the look and feel — offerings must also align with the zeitgeist. Cocktails, in particular, are subject to trends and influences from pop culture and history.
“These trends range from the gin craze, tequila and mescal to crafted cocktails utilising special techniques like clarified cocktails, fermentations and re-distillations that add an extra layer of sophistication to each mix.”
Five of the Best:
Bangkok
Each evening, the glamorous Firefly Bar at the Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, ranked 83rd in “The World’s 50 Best Bars” 2024 (51-100), comes alive. It enchants guests with a luxurious atmosphere, both inside and on the leafy terrace, serving lavish drinks accompanied by charming, jazzy live music.
The exuberant energy of award-winning Indonesian bartender Dicky Hartono (lead image), who expresses his joie de vivre by singing while shaking cocktails, reflects the lively and relaxed vibe of this popular bar.
His balloon-like signature drink, the ‘Lady in Red No. 2’, featuring gin, blueberries, strawberries, elderflower bitters, citrus fruits, Japanese Umeshu apricot plum liqueur and topped with a bubble to pop, is a show-stopping highlight at this luxury grand hotel bar.
Singapore
The Bar at 15 Stamford in The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore is an intimate venue rich in history and famous for its 160 types of rum and rum-based cocktail classics, including the hotel’s signature creation, the “Plantation 1840”. Every Saturday at lunchtime, the bar transforms into a stylish gourmet paradise, offering a “liquid brunch with alcohol”.
Guests can choose from a diverse selection of cocktails, including speciality drinks like the Jungle Bird, made with Bacardi Cuatro 4-year rum, pineapple juice, citrus fruit and bitter liqueur, or Papi’s Punch, featuring Bacardi Ocho 8-year rum, white wine, citrus fruit and sugar.
The brunch menu also includes tender meats, seafood and vodka-crusted salmon, each served with alcoholic condiments such as Scotch Whisky Beef Jus and Bombay Gin Hollandaise.
Munich
At the timelessly elegant Jahreszeiten Bar in Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich, the drinks menu evolves with the seasons —summer drinks often include hints of rhubarb and pineapple, while winter options showcase delicate flavours of aniseed and cocoa. The true stars of the experience are the drinks themselves, partly made with homemade spirits or syrups.
The lowered bar counter provides a clear view of the entertaining mixology skills of the expert bar team led by passionate Bar Manager Aleksandar Vujin. One standout feature is the mobile cocktail trolley, allowing guests to participate in crafting their own cocktails directly at their table.
The bar’s offerings are complemented by a range of delicious canapés, including caviar, truffle fries, and South Tyrolean bacon served ‘Alpine slides’, all while enjoying regular live jazz performances.
Budapest
Balázs Molnár, Creative Beverage Manager at Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest, delights guests at Blue Fox The Bar — a hotspot in Hungary’s capital — with inventive, trend-driven creations featuring gin, tequila, mezcal and other agave-based spirits. “Signature drinks like these shape the distinct character of a bar and create lasting memories for guests who recall a drink they’ve only enjoyed here”, explains Molnár.
Increasingly, guests are opting for healthier choices, preferring cocktails with lower sugar or alcohol content. Premium ice, fresh fruit juices and tea cater to these preferences without compromising the bar experience.
Berlin
The iconic elephant fountain in the lobby of the world-famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin lends its name to the elegant Elephant Bar. This noble establishment offers an exclusive drinks menu with a well-stocked variety of spirits and signature cocktails crafted by the experienced bar team.
All classic cocktails are part of the intimate bar’s unwritten repertoire and are offered upon request. Drinks served in John Jenkins glasses add a touch of royalty, as the brand is famously used in Buckingham Palace.
Every Thursday, cigar enthusiasts can enjoy rum or whisky tastings in the Smokers Lounge, where the flavours of the drinks are expertly paired with a selection of fine cigars. A state-of-the-art ventilation system ensures a smoke-free lounge atmosphere for all guests.
For more information on Kempinski Hotels’ eighty-two properties and its extraordinary bars, visit https://www.kempinski.com/en.
The images used in this feature are courtesy of Kempinski Hotels.
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