As part of the luxurious Sri Panwa Phuket, the sky-high Baba Nest is one of those only-exists-on-social-media bars that are more exclusive than an invite to Megs and Harry’s wedding. And when you enter the poolside bar located on the rooftop it’s easy to understand why – with limited space on the island-like platform, bookings are a must for everyone, including hotel guests.
Baba Nest’s 360-degree views of the sparkling Andaman Sea and Phuket’s southeastern peninsula are best enjoyed from the comfort of your giant fluffy floor pillow. That’s right, chairs aren’t a thing here. For added drama, the newly tiled space is surrounded by an epic wrap-around infinity pool, which makes for great photos (seriously, it’s impossible to get a bad shot of Baba Nest). Open from 5pm to 9pm daily, once you’ve enjoyed happy hour here prepare for all other sunset sips to feel a little less special.
Named for the sunset views that drench this rooftop establishment in a golden hue come late afternoon, Last Light is the newest addition to New York City’s crowded skyscape. Perched atop Sister City hotel on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, it’s positioned itself as a relaxed neighbourhood haunt – it’s far more chilled out than you’d expect from a hotel bar, with a first-in, best-dressed door policy, no bottle service and generous happy hour specials.
While the two outdoor decks are the obvious drawcards here, the creative and surprisingly affordable cocktail list, plus the tasty small plates from Floret, the ground-floor restaurant, make a trip up to the 11th floor worthwhile. Oh, Last Light is also completely cashless, so don’t forget to stick your credit card in your pocket.
If you’re the sort of person who watches a bit of reality TV, has a hot Milo and is in bed by 10pm on a Monday night, you’re probably going to want to move on right about now. However, if you treat every night like an equal opportunity party while you’re on holiday, you’ll be completely sorted in the Spanish capital Madrid.
Once you’ve eaten all the tapas, watched some flamenco and the people promenading on Plaza Santa Ana, and tasted both sherry and locally brewed cerveza, it’s time to dance it out at Fucking Monday. This temple to debauchery has a vast dance floor, rows of bars and even a slick lounge upstairs that hosts an all-night beer pong tournament. Here you’ll discover the kind of fun that can make you want to keep partying, fuelled by cheap drinks and the crowd’s fierce energy, right through till dawn.
Calling all wine lovers! All aboard the train des vignes – otherwise known as the vineyard train – which coasts past the stunning vineyard terraces in Lavaux. A UNESCO World Heritage Site home to 800 hectares of sprawling vineyards, complete with a backdrop of the Savoy and Valais Alps, this regional train from Vevey station to Puidoux-Chexbresoffers is your ticket to immersing yourself in Switzerland’s wine country.
Alight at Chexbres-Village Station, where you’ll find a number of walking trails that weave among the beautiful terraces. Prepare to send your tastebuds into a frenzy as you walk along a signposted trail that tells the story of the local vineyard here, including the yummy grape varieties that can be found. For those who aren’t so keen on tackling the incline by foot, the Lavaux Panoramic, a train with wheels. Cruise from Chexbres-Village along skinny roads that wend among the grapevines while learning about the region and enjoying the landscape.
There’s also the Lavaux Express, which chugs along a loop among the neatly manicured vine fields from Lutry and Cully. For the few who make the journey here, the local winegrowers often allow visitors the opportunity to sample their wines in their cellars. The best part? Due to limited production, Swiss wines are often not exported, which makes quaffing a fine drop here an even more exclusive affair.
Central California produces some of the best wines in the world, but one particular winery in Paso Robles is doing it with a bit more panache than the rest. Tooth and Nail Winery, founded by Rabble Wine Company, is located in a castle, complete with an aquamarine moat that protects the winery’s premier vines and grapes.
When you’re done exploring the impressive castle grounds – which include a library, rooftop terrace, barrel rooms and epic foyer – a variety of wine flights are available for tasting from the friendly staff, and there’s a rocking food menu to provide some delicious ambrosia to accompany your vino.
Don’t forget to download the app to see Tooth and Nail’s labels come alive right before your very eyes. It’s the very first technology of its kind and definitely adds a showstopping element to your visit. Also, keep an eye out for the exclusive castle parties, which are legendary in the area.
Step into a different era at Miss Wong. Hidden down a lane away from the neon lights and thumping beats of Siem Reap’s party hub, Pub Street, this 1920s Shanghai-style bar oozes intimacy. Cosy booths and cherry lanterns illuminating burgundy walls create a seductive vibe, but the Asian-inspired cocktails are the real heroes. Sink into a sofa and get your lips around a refreshing Lemongrass Collins, with lemongrass-infused vodka, vanilla syrup and lime juice. For a sweet fix, the Mocha Martini, with vanilla vodka, espresso, Kahlua, crème de cacao and a squirt of chocolate, will make you forget you’re consuming alcohol. A small menu of light dishes, featuring dim sum and hotpots, ensures a deliciously full stomach and are perfect for sharing with new friends – both locals and travellers.
When it comes to an exclusive experience, it’s hard to top the Maldives. Throw in an overwater bar surrounded by crystalline-blue waters and topped with a world-class observatory and you have paradise made manifest: Anantara Kihavah SKY. Part of Anantara Kihavah Maldives resort, this circular bar offers a night of luxury under the stars.
The only observatory in the Maldives, this sky ‘scope is headed up by resident astronomer and sky guru Ali Shameem. Having grown up on a Maldivian island without electricity, he developed a fascination with the cosmos and nurtured this over the years by mapping the constellations. With Shameem’s assistance and expert knowledge, astronomy buffs and stargazing enthusiasts will delight in the viewing the Milky Way from the observatory – fitted with a 3.8 metre Ash-dome – via the powerful research-grade 16″ Meade LX200 telescope. Rotating a cool 360 degrees, the telescope allows guests to experience the sight of outer space in exquisite detail, from the rings of Saturn to Messier 13, a sparkling constellation named Hercules and comprising of more than 300,000 stars. There’s a weekly stargazing schedule x or opt for the more intimate setting and book in for a couples session, toasting with a different kind of sparkle – a bottle of champagne.
Naturally, the cocktail menu is as dazzling as the skies above, so for a little heaven on earth get your lips around one of the bar’s signature tipples, King of The Sky. Drawing inspiration from the ancient Greek story about the creation of the Milky Way universe, the holy bevvy is concoction of toasted sesame bourbon, Havana 7, cream, condensed milk, vanilla and cinnamon dust. Legend has it that Zeus brought his son Hercules to feed from his mother while she slept but when she awoke, startled by their presence, some drops were spilled and thus, the Milky Way was born.
If you’re more of a sun worshipper than a night owl, sink into one of the plush loungers, cocktail in hand, and tune into the mellifluous soundtrack of lapping water and slow beats while taking in the unencumbered views of the Indian Ocean.
Jakarta has an affinity for good libations, and the Smoky Barrel Aged Negroni at Beer Hall in central Jakarta may be the king of drinks. The space is sprawling and modern, the air conditioning is blissfully strong, and the drink itself a feast for all the senses.
Coaxed out of a barrel-aged tap into a crystal decanter (single serve), a mixture of special combustibles is packed into a handheld smoker. Once ignited, a luscious smoke fills the vessel, giving the dark cherry-coloured elixir – a concoction of gin, campari, sweet vermouth and orange bitters – a swamp-like appearance. Capped, it is up to the imbiber to pour their own magic potion. Watch as the smoke and thick drink flow freely from the glittering container into a perfectly cubed glass. The taste is even more sublime then the ritual of making it. Smooth and not too sweet, this negroni may be a long way from home, but it is definitely not one you want to miss.
If you want to impress travel pals with your local know-how then
this is the place to be. A drinking den that’s hidden behind an unmarked door at the back of a matchstick-box-sized Mexican restaurant, Candelaria basically ticks every box on the hip hit list: the front is a sparsely decorated taco stand, the back a candlelit clandestine bar.
Try authentic tacos and quesadillas, and affordable cocktails from a menu that favours agave spirits, such as mezcal and tequila; wannabe connoisseurs can even dabble in a flight of four for US$35. Those feeling less intrepid should give Al Son de la Batanga (made with Olmeca Altos Tequila Blanco, Amaro Montenegro, fresh lime juice and Chinotto) a whirl, or perhaps La Guèpe Verte (chilli-infused tequila blanco, fresh lime juice, agave syrup, coriander leaves and cucumber). There are even special brunch cocktails on offer at weekends between 12pm and 4pm.
Located in Paris’ quiet 3rd arrondissement it’s perfect for a quick nightcap, but also plenty close to the bustling Latin Quarter and the more suave Le Marais.
Fancy a globalised drinking experience, where Indian spices mingle with Austrian chocolate, and Twinings tea loses its virginity? Then step into Mexico City’s Limantour, where bartenders aspire to unite the flavours of the world in cocktail form. Limantour – which rocked in at a rather impressive number 13 on the World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2017 – has an extraordinary collection of drinking vessels hidden among its cupboards. Think anything from kitsch ceramic mugs to flaming molecular apparatus.
The bartenders are equally renowned among their industry brethren, and their global drinking adventures chronicled on the bar’s website. Perfection takes time, however, so grab a seat amid the minimalist Art Deco decor and glance upwards at the tilted ceiling mirrors where you can see reflections of the cocktail wizards working their magic. And with cocktails starting from just US$6.50, you might as well get to work on the menu stat. Welcome to the heart of the Mexican capital’s “New Old Days”.
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