An 'R' bar? What's an 'R'?

[CruiseeCrazee]

I'm off on Grandeur next week and I see that they've got a new bar called the 'R Bar.' The RCCl website describes it as "Experience a 1960s vibe at the all-new R Bar, featuring iconic furnishings and classic cocktails - gimlet, martini, gin, whiskeys and more - all served by the ship's resident mixologist." Seems to be a new concept.

 

Has anyone sailed on a ship with this bar? I'd like to hear about what kind of drinks, more specifically, they serve, and what the atmosphere is. Anyone have pictures? Drink menus?

[ehfl]

It sounds very [R]etro.

[bmac1]

Was on Grandeur in November and did not find anything really special about the R Bar.

[stones902]

I'm off on Grandeur next week and I see that they've got a new bar called the 'R Bar.' The RCCl website describes it as "Experience a 1960s vibe at the all-new R Bar, featuring iconic furnishings and classic cocktails - gimlet, martini, gin, whiskeys and more - all served by the ship's resident mixologist." Seems to be a new concept.

 

Has anyone sailed on a ship with this bar? I'd like to hear about what kind of drinks, more specifically, they serve, and what the atmosphere is. Anyone have pictures? Drink menus?

 

We sailed on the Enchantment with the R Bar. Honestly, I didn't note many changes. They did seem to specialize in martinis, and also had many high end liquors available. Overall though, not much difference from the prior IMHO.

[amster65]

Something to do with Pirates eh...........

[ChipLondon]

Correct it supposed to be retro and offer Classic Cocktails. :)

 

 

It sounds very [R]etro.

[Brigbound]

I'm off on Grandeur next week and I see that they've got a new bar called the 'R Bar.' The RCCl website describes it as "Experience a 1960s vibe at the all-new R Bar, featuring iconic furnishings and classic cocktails - gimlet, martini, gin, whiskeys and more - all served by the ship's resident mixologist." Seems to be a new concept.

 

Has anyone sailed on a ship with this bar? I'd like to hear about what kind of drinks, more specifically, they serve, and what the atmosphere is. Anyone have pictures? Drink menus?

 

On Brilliance, it was in the centrum opposite the dance floor. Seating at the bar was limited however plenty of couches and chairs around. I was drinking nothing but double neats of Glenlivet. They serve a variety of drinks up to and including the ones you mentioned. It was just another place to grab a drink and people gawk. :D

[cb at sea]

Just so you know...you can get pretty much any drink at any bar.....like beer, or a regular cocktail!

[PSCruiser]

its because "R" rhymes with bar!

[stones902]

Just so you know...you can get pretty much any drink at any bar.....like beer, or a regular cocktail!

 

 

To a point. Sometimes the higher grade of Patron or Bourbon are only offered at certain bars. I'm not even going to get into Louis XIII.

 

My wife was drinking Blantons on the a Enchantment and for some reason it could only be found in the casino bar.

 

 

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[mit01]

Correct it supposed to be retro and offer Classic Cocktails. :)

 

Yes, but can they make a Sidecar??:cool:

[DFK4655]

Go figure... Retro Bar.... I thought it was "Rhapsody Bar". Live and learn.

 

I had no empathy for it. Found that the Schooner Bar was much better. Limited seating, very busy at meal times.

[Trekker954]

Brigbound described it accurate as I was on the Serenade (sister to Brillance). We used it as a meeting place on our Med cruise when we had planned many private tours. We'd meet there in the morning and all walk off the ship together.

 

I wasn't fond of it as a bar location as it was next to Guest Services and the centrum is out in the open. There is always someone at Guest Services complaining about this or that.

[NH Cruisers]

Something to do with Pirates eh...........

The best and probably the correct response. What do pirates say?

[mommabean]

It is Retro but I always thing Royal Caribbean. :)

 

The celebrity mixologist, Matthew, goes from ship to ship as they come out of dry dock and makes unique personalized martinis for people at the R bar. You aren't supposed to tell him what you like. You simply tell him what you don't like and he takes it from there. It's really cool actually. The mixologist on board should be getting trained by him but I'm not sure anyone can take it as far as he does. Sometimes I see him rub something on the outside of someone's thumb so they will smell it as they lift their hand to take a drink. I didn't get the full details on that one but I know it affects the taste of the drink.

 

We had a martini made with ginger by the F&B (I thought it was an Indian curry martini since he's from India :) ) while Matt was there and one made with cilantro by Matt himself. Loads of fun and very tasty.

 

Right now Matt should be on Navigator.

 

You should be able to find Matt/Matthew from England on Quantum of the Seas during it's first few weeks in the Liquid Lab.

 

Gina

Edited February 11, 2014 by mommabean

[mrBit]

From the website "Royal Caribbean's new R Bar is a throwback to the Rat Pack days when a martini was made with gin and everyone dressed to impress! Guests can enjoy the sophisticated ambiance and surprising entertainment of the Centrum while an expert mixologist serves up classic cocktails."

 

Navigator had one and was one of my favorite bars.

Edited February 11, 2014 by mrBit

[mommabean]

From the website "Royal Caribbean's new R Bar is a throwback to the Rat Pack days when a martini was made with gin and everyone dressed to impress! Guests can enjoy the sophisticated ambiance and surprising entertainment of the Centrum while an expert mixologist serves up classic cocktails."

 

Navigator had one and was one of my favorite bars.

 

What's funny is that rather than making classics, the mixologist is making the most unusual and fanciest martinis of all. I don't think there is a huge market for classic martinis on RCI ships. The martini clinics I've been to at R bars haven't been the fun, full of laughter clinics of the previous champagne bars. They have been more serious and educational - OK, but not a fun experience worth repeating.

 

Gina

[Brigbound]

To a point. Sometimes the higher grade of Patron or Bourbon are only offered at certain bars. I'm not even going to get into Louis XIII.

 

My wife was drinking Blantons on the a Enchantment and for some reason it could only be found in the casino bar.

 

 

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You don't keep an open tab while drinking Louis? :D I tried it once and that was enough. If you are going to try it, I have found it the cheapest on RC's ships. Elsewhere it has been upwards of 200 to 350 a 'shot'. I'll stick to Jack.

[stones902]

You don't keep an open tab while drinking Louis? :D I tried it once and that was enough. If you are going to try it, I have found it the cheapest on RC's ships. Elsewhere it has been upwards of 200 to 350 a 'shot'. I'll stick to Jack.

 

 

I'm not a cognac drinker. Actually I enjoy sipping tequilas. To me the Louis is more for showing off (new job, big date, etc). I've never tried it and I'm sure I wouldn't appreciate it

 

 

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[mommabean]

You don't keep an open tab while drinking Louis? :D I tried it once and that was enough. If you are going to try it, I have found it the cheapest on RC's ships. Elsewhere it has been upwards of 200 to 350 a 'shot'. I'll stick to Jack.

 

We were on the ship with a guy who bought it regularly right down to the last drink in the bottle. The person who buys the last drink gets to keep the bottle and he wanted it...and got it.

 

Gina

[Brigbound]

I'm not a cognac drinker. Actually I enjoy sipping tequilas. To me the Louis is more for showing off (new job, big date, etc). I've never tried it and I'm sure I wouldn't appreciate it

 

 

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No worries. Try Cazadores Reposado. Pretty good with a little ice.

[Teacherloves2Cruise]

Wow, sounds great! I am scared for how much $ I might drop here. . . any good values?

[stones902]

No worries. Try Cazadores Reposado. Pretty good with a little ice.

 

 

We've had Cazadores many times. A good quality tequila. All things being equal I prefer anejos. There are a number of excellent ones, among my favorites Don Julio 1942. The best you can do on a RCI ship a Patron Anejo which is very good but unremarkable. You can get it anywhere.

 

 

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[stones902]

Wow, sounds great! I am scared for how much $ I might drop here. . . any good values?

 

 

One thing with booze - you definitely get what you pay for.

 

 

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