Long Bar

Istanbul’s Answer to the Legendary Long Bar in Singapore

One of the most remarkable drinking establishments in the city: the Long Bar at Raffles Istanbul. A contemporary reinvention of the iconic Long Bar in Singapore, the space is a celebration of Turkish creativity rendered in shades of seductive red. Curvaceous female portraits catch the eye in one direction, while hundreds of crystal spinning tops hang above the bar in an echo of Turkey’s famous Whirling Dervishes. The bar itself is a masterpiece of another kind: a shining, mirrored pathway from the Long Bar to the private Champagne Room.

The artistry of the Long Bar goes far beyond the decor, however. A glimpse at the cocktail menu reveals an entirely unique collection of bespoke cocktails, designed especially for Raffles to pay tribute to the brand’s Asian origin. Some are inspired by classic Asian recipes, while others add a sense of playfulness by updating traditional blends with unexpected Turkish ingredients. Order a Topkapi Palace, for example, and discover a genius combination of West Asian cumin tincture, bourbon and distinctively Turkish baklava syrup. Each cocktail is a work of art, and a starter for conversations between old and new friends alike that last late into the night.