Hiding in plain sight

Offering the finest whiskies, classic cocktails and an extensive array of cigars, the speakeasy-inspired Baccarat Room & Bar at Solaire Resort Entertainment City might just be Manila’s best kept secret.

Hidden away below the polished excitement of the main gaming floor at Solaire Resort Entertainment City sits the property’s best kept secret – a portal to another time where old-world luxuries meet modern day mysteries.

Baccarat Room & Bar is a throwback to the era of prohibition, when society’s elite would gather in private speakeasies to enjoy some of the finer things in life.

Located on Level 1, the staircase leading down to Baccarat Room & Bar’s discreet door is easy to miss, but once traversed invites guests to a world of dusky ambience, with deep chestnut walls, a rich color palette and a myriad of shapes and textures. Its glass entrance opens to a quaint reception area that exudes mystery through thoughtfully selected embellishments, extending to an arching wine display and a bar top stocked full of high-end single malts and whiskies – from the most coveted Macallan Single Malt scotch such as The Macallan 30 Years to the noble Suntory Hibiki 30 Years. Gins, rums and other kinds of liquor are also present for those whose preferences are more wide-ranging.

Hand-crafted cocktails pay homage using intricate processes, locally sourced garnishes and ingredients – all made by expert mixologists ready and waiting to tell the stories behind their classy creations.

And sitting alongside is Baccarat Room & Bar’s crowning glory: an extensive display of top-of-the-line cigar selections in an eye-catching humidor installation. The list includes the local Don Juan Urquijo offering creamy overtones and gentle hints of citrus and spice; the 1881 Perique which balances strong peppery notes with delicate sweetness; and Cuban and Dominican bigwigs designed to hit hard, such as Cohiba with its fine fullness, the bold and lively Davidoff, the beautifully crafted Hoyo de Monterrey, and the famous Montecristo.

With seating for 56 people, Baccarat Room & Bar’s intimate, relaxed setting provides a marriage of different design fundamentals from varying architectural eras to create an overall distinct vintage mood. A tinge of Renaissance from brass fixtures, glamorous mid-century modern-style cushioned seating, Chesterfields inspired by the 19th century Arts and Crafts movement and allusions to Art Nouveau and neoclassical principles await the keen observer.

Bookshelves housing an array of books, ornaments and touches of greenery aim to add the depth and character reminiscent of the past from which the venue is inspired – the perfect place to detach and unwind.

Reflecting an old English social club, Baccarat Room & Bar blends modern sophistication with classic décor, drawing guests into an immersive experience that relives the peak of 1920s affluence and sophistication.