At the violet hour, the chandeliers glow gold, a low hum of jazz drapes the room, and martinis are poured with deliberate grace. Guests sink into plush chairs as bartenders in crisp waistcoats glide behind the marble counter. This is The St. Regis Bar Jakarta—a space where New York glamour slips effortlessly into the Indonesian soul.
Tonight, the mood carries an extra spark. The bar has just been named No. 22 on the 2025 Asia’s 50 Best Bars list. A leap that has the crew grinning like they’ve just poured the perfect martini.
“This is such an incredible moment for all of us,” says Bar and Beverage Manager Paulo Naranjo, still beaming from the excitement of the awards. “It’s not just about hitting a goal; it’s about the journey we’ve taken together to get here. None of this would’ve been possible without the dedication and teamwork we share every day.”
The news rippled through the room with cheers, high-fives, and quiet nods. For Outlet Manager Karina K., the feeling was both pride and relief. “My first thought was, ‘All our hard work has truly paid off.’ This recognition brought a renewed sense of motivation and pride to the entire team.”
Paulo began his career in hospitality at The Ritz-Carlton Millenia, Singapore. His first job was in housekeeping before moving into F&B, where his fascination with flairtending sparked a passion for bartending. Transitioning from performance to precision, he mastered the technical and creative aspects of bartending, drawing inspiration from leading bars in Asia. In 2021 as the hotel’s assistant bar manager, Paulo oversaw Republic Bar, driving it to great heights, landing the bar accolades from Asia’s 50 Best Bars and Tales of the Cocktail.
His journey also took him to The Ritz-Carlton Fukuoka, further honing his skills and broadening his international perspective. In late 2022, Paulo was a pre-opening trainer for The St. Regis Bar Jakarta responsible for leading bartender training, focusing on bar setup, operational procedures, and the sequence of service. Back then, unknown to him, he was foreshadowing a role he would hold permanently. In 2024, Paulo returned as Head Bartender, aiming to elevate his team, push creative boundaries, and position the bar among the best in Asia and the world.
Where New York Meets Jakarta
From the start, The St. Regis Bar Jakarta has been more than a room for cocktails—it’s a dialogue between two worlds. On one side, New York sophistication: violet-hour martinis, theatrical service, and the timeless ritual of the evening pour. On the other, Indonesia’s vibrant flavours and layered storytelling.
The menu speaks this language fluently. The sharp-and-playful Lawyer’s Sour Deal balances a citrusy bite with silky depth. The Batavia Mary takes the New York classic and laces it with Indonesian spices, a subtle heat curling at the edges of the familiar tomato base.
“Singapore taught me innovation and precision in a fast-paced, globally influenced scene, Japan instilled a respect for craftsmanship and detail.”
For Paulo, the Batavia Mary says it all. “It’s a perfect example of how we merge timeless elegance with local character—paying homage to the cocktail’s roots while introducing a sense of place through Indonesian ingredients.” It’s a philosophy that plays out in every service, from the clean snap of a freshly polished glass to the exacting swirl of a martini pour. Guests may not notice each detail, but they feel the sum of them.
The Art Before the First Drop
“People often don’t see how much happens behind the scenes—training, preparation, testing new ideas, that’s what makes this award so special.” For all the polish and ease in the room, much of the work happens long before the first guest arrives.
A typical afternoon might find the team gathered for a tasting, debating the merits of a garnish tweak or the right balance of acidity. Music cues are checked, glassware inspected under bright prep lights, and final touches applied to the evening’s menu. Every move is deliberate, because by showtime, everything must feel effortless.
Paulo calls it keeping the bar “fresh, theatrical, yet timeless.” “I always tell the team we’re not just good—we’re exceptional,” he says. “This award reflects our consistency, creativity, and passion. Looking ahead, I want the bar to remain a place where every cocktail tells a story, and every guest leaves with a sense of discovery and connection.”
More Than a Bar — A Win for Jakarta
For Konstantin Nemolochnyi, St. Regis Jakarta Director of Food & Beverage, the win is part of a broader ambition. “Being recognized alongside leading bars in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo highlights the rise of Jakarta’s F&B scene, and it’s an honour to be at the forefront of that movement. It aligns perfectly with my vision to position The St. Regis Jakarta’s restaurants and bars as destinations for discerning global travellers.”
That vision extends beyond the drinks list. It’s about making The St. Regis Jakarta a place where international guests stay for the experience—not just the room keys.
Cocktails Fade, But Connections Last
Live jazz swells in the background, the lights dip just so, and a bartender slides a coupe across the marble with a warm smile. For Paulo, this is the magic—the human connection.
“Beyond the cocktails and ambiance, I want guests to remember how they felt,” he says. “To leave the bar not just recalling the drinks but remembering my team by name. That kind of emotional connection is the milestone we strive for every night.”
And so, at the close of each service, when the last note fades and the final glass is cleared, the team resets—ready for another night, another toast, another story to tell.
For The St. Regis Bar Jakarta, No. 22 isn’t the finish line—it’s the start of the next act. As Paulo puts it, “We’ve earned this together. Now, we get to keep raising the bar.”
The St. Regis Bar Jakarta
Rajawali Place, Jl. H. R. Rasuna Said No.Kav No.B/4, Kuningan, Setia Budi, DKI, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12910
