When it comes to destination bars, few in the world have matched the iconic status of the Long Bar at the Raffles hotel in Singapore. Since its establishment in the early 20th century, it has served as a gathering place for luminaries and travellers – among them, notable writers like Ernest Hemingway and Somerset Maugham, and entertainers Noel Coward and Charlie Chaplain.
Raffles at Galaxy Macau recently debuted the city’s very own Long Bar – a contemporary take on the gin palace and a superlative addition to the entertainment and dining destinations across the 1.1 million square metre resort. Designed to give Macao guests a unique experience, Galaxy’s Long Bar channels the legacy of its Singapore progenitor, while cleverly incorporating references to Macao’s own storied history.
Here are five reasons to seek out Long Bar at the Raffles at Galaxy Macau.
Immerse yourself in a contemporary take on old-world mystique
With interiors designed by award-winning interior designer Joyce Wang, who has studios in London and Hong Kong, Macao’s Long Bar exudes a charm inspired by the city’s maritime past.
The bar draws inspiration from one of the largest Portuguese carrack ships to sail the seas during the Age of Exploration, Madre de Deus. This majestic vessel journeyed the seas in the late 1500s, transporting spices from India and fine silk and porcelain from China.
The dimly lit space is adorned with nautical motifs such as navigation instruments and reclaimed wood, complemented by barrels and textured stone, paying homage to Macao’s rich heritage as a trading port and its enduring Portuguese connections.
It feels secretive, intimate yet cavernous, which not only enhances the speakeasy ambience but hints at the early days of gin distillation, when it was crafted in underground caverns.
It’s the world’s first speakeasy Long Bar
While there are variants of the Long Bar at other Raffles properties around the world, Macao’s Long Bar is the only one to draw playful inspiration from the idea of a speakeasy.
Originating during the US Prohibition, speakeasies were clandestine establishments where patrons could enjoy illicit drinks, their name a reminder to speak softly given the need to remain secret.
Although the Prohibition era is long over, they’ve managed to retain their appeal, with modern interpretations borrowing their secretive atmosphere to heighten a sense of exclusivity of patrons. Finding them typically requires a bit of exploration – at that’s true at Galaxy Macau, where you’ll first have to find the door to this high-end gin bar before you can revel in all it has to offer.
With its speakeasy ambience, Long Bar offers an intimate experience for guests who appreciate storytelling as much as they appreciate a good cocktail. Live vinyl DJ sets further enhance the atmosphere.
Experience top-tier mixology from the hands of Asia’s top talents
But what would the bar be without scintillating mixology? The Long Bar features an expertly curated cocktail menu by multi-award-winning Hong Kong mixologist and consultant Antonio Lai. Behind the bar is chief mixologist and manager Nokoy Mak, who honed his craft under Lai at his celebrated Hong Kong brainchild, Quinary.
The beverage menu spans classic cocktails to innovative drinks, with vintage gin-based cocktails featuring prominently. There are also two cocktails exclusive to Macao, not found in any other Long Bar in the world.
The star of the menu is the Macau Sling – a local twist on the iconic Singapore Sling invented at the Lion City’s Long Bar. The Macao version is served in a lotus-shaped glass (a nod to Macao’s official flower) and uses Sipsmith Raffles 1915 gin, a spirit created for Raffles by Sipsmith’s head distiller Oliver Kitson to mark 100 years of the Singapore Sling. Handcrafted in London, the gin is infused with Malaysian botanicals.
Another exclusive creation is the Million Dollar, crafted with Million Dollar Gin custom-made for Galaxy Macau. Slivers of gold foil flutter in the spirit – reflecting Macao’s penchant for luxury – which the bartenders blend with vintage liqueurs and seasonal fruits.
You can explore the solera ageing method applied to cocktails
Originating from Spain, solera ageing involves blending older and younger distillations of a spirit, such as sherry or rum, in such a way that the average age of the mixture increases over time.
At Long Bar, Lai and Mak have adapted this method to age cocktails in stacked barrels made of American oak. When the bartenders reach for the barrel that has been ageing the longest, they ensure that no more than half of the mixture is drawn off, refilling it from a younger barrel, and then allowing it to continue the ageing process. This procedure means that the oldest batch never runs out.
The bar’s Negroni, French 75 (a mix of gin or cognac and Champagne with a hint of lemon) and Tuxedo (whipped up with gin or rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and maraschino liqueur) all go through solera ageing, resulting in rich, nuanced libations that develop on the palate.
Go on Adventures in the Cavern with guest mixologist shifts
There’s more to look forward to at Long Bar. It’s set to debut its Adventures in the Cavern this weekend, a monthly guest series that will see some of the world’s most celebrated mixologists – as determined by prestigious awards like the World’s 50 Best Bars – bring their skill and creations to the Raffles’ hideaway.
To kick off the impeccably curated series, no one better than the bar’s own cocktail maestro, Antonio Lai, will take over the counter alongside Samuel Kwok. The duo, who recently opened The Opposites in Hong Kong’s Central district, will treat experience-seekers on the inaugural night to signature concoctions that highlight their distinct mixing styles – a contrast they celebrate.
On 21 February, Lorenzo Antinori, the mastermind behind Hong Kong’s Italy-inspired Bar Leone, will headline the guest shift. Leone, which debuted on the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars in the number one position last year, has also found itself in second place on the World’s 50 Best Bars list, making it the highest new entry in the awards. Antinori will be joined behind the counter by Demie Kim and Noah Kwon from Seoul’s Zest, a drinking den listed on both of the prestigious lists.
With the newly-launched series, Long Bar is set to establish itself as a buzzing destination bar, building cocktail culture through distinctive cocktail journeys.
All of Galaxy Macau’s dining and entertainment options are at your doorstep
A buzzing culinary hotspot, there’s hardly any cuisine you won’t find at Galaxy Macau, from Italian alta cucina at the Michelin-rated 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA to elevated Cantonese cuisine at Lai Heen, and the theatre of the grill at Teppanyaki Shou.
Now, with Long Bar, you have a perfect destination to begin or end your night. Whether you’re looking for a convivial spot to meet up with friends before making your way to one of the resort’s restaurants, or ready for that nightcap, Long Bar captivates both the cocktail curious and seasoned connoisseurs.