Your Key To Cocktail Heaven in Macau

Macau is best known for its Historical Centre, the Macau Grand Prix, and casinos. What most people do not know about Macau is that it is one of the best places to have a drink.

Considering its European heritage and low liquor tax, Macau is a wine lover’s paradise. Apart from the many wine bars, pubs and nightclubs that cater to the revelers and casual drinkers, Macau also caters to the discerning few who know and love their liquor. Here are some of my favourite lounges which I hope you will have an opportunity to visit while in Macau:

The Macallan Whiskey Bar and Lounge at the Galaxy Macau is the “go-to” for all things whisky. With a name like that, what would you be expecting anyway?  Stocking not just Macallan, but a whole range of labels from the basic Macallan 12 to that rare Japanese bottling.  We love this place for its clubby atmosphere, wonderful selection by the glass (including several sampling flights), and of course, their very creative happy hour program.

Guincho a Galera in the Hotel Lisboa, and Robuchon au Dome at the Grand Lisboa, are known to many as the restaurants with the best wine lists in Macau. Apart from them having an 8000-plus label list, the other reason why we go there is for their extensive digestif trolley.  For all those in the know, Guincho a Galera and Robuchon au Dome are the go-to place for some of the more exciting offering of whiskeys by the glass.  Though not bars per-se, we will come here to eat just to have access to their by-glass selection. As the selection changes on regular basis, a call-in to see what is being poured is advisable.

The Ritz-Carlton Bar and Lounge at the Ritz-Carlton Macau is the other gin joint in the city that attracts us, especially if we are in the Cotai area.  Situated on the 51st floor of the Ritz-Carlton Macau, the Ritz-Carlton Bar lists 20 different gins, and a selection of fruit and aromatics which you can mix and match to create your own concoction, or ask their bartenders to recommend and create something to your liking.

The Beer Temple, located in the St. Lazarus Arts Precinct, is the perfect watering hole for the weary traveler who has spent the day wandering through the city.  What sets this place apart from all the other beer bars in the city (and there are many of them) is the knowledgeable staffs.  Their menu selection covers beers, ales, lager and stout of all kind that rival some of the best beer bars in the city.

Other drinking spots I would recommend without hesitation include The Morton’s Bar at The Venetian Macao for their martinis and Power Hour specials, ABA Bar at the MGM Macau for gin, and for all round atmosphere, craft cocktails, and amazing artwork, definitely China Rouge at the Galaxy Macau.

My love for food, liquor and life, ensures that I live well, and as a concierge, allows me to share that passion for living with my guests.  I love my drinks, and if you need one and not know where to go, I would be most happy to have a chat with you.

And I look forward to welcoming you to the Conrad Macao Cotai Central, hopefully soon!

Macau is best known for its Historical Centre, the Macau Grand Prix, and casinos. What most people do not know about Macau is that it is one of the best places to have a drink. Considering its European heritage and low liquor tax, Macau is a wine lover’s paradise. Apart from the many wine bars, pubs and nightclubs that cater to the revelers and casual drinkers, Macau also caters to the discerning few who know and love their liquor.

Here are some of my favourite lounges which I hope you will have an opportunity to visit while in Macau:

The Macallan Whiskey Bar and Lounge at the Galaxy Macau is the “go-to” for all things whisky. With a name like that, what would you be expecting anyway? Stocking not just Macallan, but a whole range of labels from the basic Macallan 12 to that rare Japanese bottling. We love this place for its clubby atmosphere, wonderful selection by the glass (including several sampling flights), and of course, their very creative happy hour program.

Guincho a Galera in the Hotel Lisboa is, to many, best known as the only true fine-dining Portuguese restaurant in Macau with a wine list to match. Apart from it having an 8000-plus label wine list, the other reason why we go there is for their extensive digestif trolley. For all those in the know, Guincho a Galera is the go-to place for some of the more exciting offering of whiskeys by the glass. As the selection changes on regular basis, a call-in to see what is being poured is advisable.

The Ritz-Carlton Bar and Lounge at the Ritz-Carlton Macau is the other gin joint in the city that attracts us, especially if we are in the Cotai area. Situated on the 51st floor of the Ritz-Carlton Macau, the Ritz-Carlton Bar lists 20 different gins, and a selection of fruit and aromatics which you can mix and match to create your own concoction, or ask their bartenders to recommend and create something to your liking.

The Beer Temple, located in the St. Lazarus Arts Precinct, is the perfect watering hole for the weary traveler who has spent the day wandering through the city. What sets this place apart from all the other beer bars in the city (and there are many of them) is the knowledgeable staffs. Their menu selection covers beers, ales, lager and stout of all kind that rival some of the best beer bars in the city.

Other drinking spots I would recommend without hesitation include The Morton’s Bar at The Venetian Macao for their martinis, the newly-opened Wa Kan Yaki Korean and Japanese Grill in Fisherman’s Wharf for its selection of draft beers (10 taps!), ABA Bar at the MGM Macau for gin, and for all round atmosphere and amazing artwork, definitely China Rouge at the Galaxy Macau.

My love for food, liquor and life, ensures that I live well, and as a concierge, allows me to share that passion for living with my guests. I love my drinks, and if you need one and not know where to go, I would be most happy to have a chat with you.

And I look forward to welcoming you to the Conrad Macao Cotai Central, hopefully soon!

Published February 2018