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THE VICTORIAN BAR AT SOCIAL CLUB The Hôtel des Arts bar in Saigon combines the Victorian charm of a gentlemen’s club, a breathtaking view, and perfect cocktails.
Illustration JUSTINE WONG
What are the 3 main assets of the bar?
1 The bar here, as a piece of furniture is a splendor of the Victorian era, found in Great Britain and brought back to Vietnam by the hotel owner. It is solid oak decorated with several lion heads probably as a tribute to the symbol of England-the crowned lion holding the coat of arms with the famous motto of the realm, “Honni soit qui mal y pense”.
2 The Japanese des igners, Super Potato worked to create a contemporary context while respecting the rich past. That is one of the strong points of the design studio directed by Takashi Sugimoto that magnifies antique material and gives it a new identity. Beyond the glass door lies a magnificent collection of cigars, cognacs and grands crus wines.
3 Bar tending’s , transformation is in full swing in Vietnam. The best artisanal alcohols from over the world have started streaming in and a new generation of cocktail lovers work using local ingredients (kumquats, coriander, cinnamon and so on) and mixing them in syrup form and other elixirs in their creations.
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