The Old Man (Pop-Up Experience) at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

Cocktail lovers in Bangkok can experience the No.1 Bar and no need to fly to Hong Kong avoiding the protest on the streets. The Old Man has set up a Pop-Up Bar here in Bangkok.

Two years ago, The Old Man Bar was opened in Soho, Hong Kong. In May of this year, the bar was voted the best bar in Asia by Asia’s 50 Best Bar for 2019.

Story & Photos by Ning Nonthiwat LuxurySocietyAsia.com

Finding the entrance of the pop-up bar is bit tricky because most people would guess it wrong. No, it is not attached to the famous Bamboo Bar.

Actually, the secret entrance is right outside the hotel lobby, nearby the valet parking counter. Surprisingly, inside the bar is quite big, can easily fit around 40 people.

The original bar in Hong Kong is quite small though. The interior design is replicated from the Hong Kong one with the I-shape counter bar in the center and a large picture of Ernest Hemingway on the wall behind the bar.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1XtCGPgWDp/

The most famous novel of Ernest Hemingway (American Author) is The Old Man and the Sea which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Prize. Paying tribute to Hemingway with inspiration from his novels and adventurous lifestyle, the bar has created 9 experimental cocktails that related with his works and his drinking preference. All signature cocktails have been created uniquely with new cooking techniques, new science technology, creativity and mixology.

These kinds of cocktail are beyond imagination and up in another level of mixology world. The highlight is using rotovap machine to separate the ingredients to create new liquid by vacuuming in certain temperature and consistent speed motion. With the unique ingredients, the strange combination, and the high technology, it turns out to be simple looking drinks yet highly sophisticated and difficult to make. These cocktails are not photogenic, but the aroma and complex of flavor is incredible. It is really a game changing for cocktail culture.

The cocktails:

Papa Doble – pineapple sous-vide Pampero rum, clarified pink grapefruit & lime, maraschino sous-vide jalapeno

In Our Time – clarified banana ghee & celery, salted Don Julio Blanco tequila, spiced banana skin tincture

For Whom The Bell Tolls – cocoa nibs sous-vide Ron Zacapa Centenario rum, sour strawberry, rotovap burnt butter rum, avocado burst

Hemingway’s Daiquiri – Rum, maraschino, grapefruit juice, lime juice, syrup

The Sun Also Rises – copra fat-washed applejack, rotovap curry leaf Tanqueray gin, sweet vermouth sous-vide pandan leaves, kefir lime

Death in the Afternoon – absinthe, sparkling wine, coco-pandan yogurt, froth & nutmeg

A Moveable Feast – rotovap sea Ketel One vodka, clear spiced cherry tomato, coconut, basil-tomato seeds & oyster leaf infused in cheesewax

The Snow of Kilimanjaro – Marshmallows gin, lacto-fermented raspberry, citrus, gruyere

Venue: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Bangkok until the 31^st of August 2019.

Address: Mandarin Oriental Hotel, (hidden behind the lobby) 48 Oriental Avenue,

Charoen Krung Road, Bangrak, 10500, Bangkok

Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday 19:00 – 02:00

Friday & Saturday 19:00 – 03:00

Tel: +66 (0) 2 659 9000
Email: mobkk-restaurants@mohg.com