A bar that pays tribute to Slovak artists

Unconventional cozy interior. Charming atmosphere. Thoughtful serving down to the last detail. Unique cocktail art. A world of sensory experiences. Join us in a bar that pays tribute to Slovak designers, craftsmen and artists. Right in the center of the Old Town, in the noble historical premises of the Radisson Blu Carlton hotel, there is a place that will immediately transport you to nature. The newly renovated Mirror Bar has the ambition to become one of the TOP bars in the world. "I was originally offered to create a new bar menu, but I convinced the hotel director that it needed a major change. To create a new concept that would still be classic, but at the same time be able to compete with 21st century bars. With design, story, and drinks. I wanted to offer people an experience," says bar manager and author of the new concept Peter Marcina.

A place that is meant to enchant

The award-winning bartender entered the gastronomy field at the age of 15, when, in addition to studying at the Hotel Academy, he worked at the Elesko restaurant in Modra. He worked in several positions, from auxiliary work to the position of waiter and sommelier at the AuCafe restaurant. His work at the Sky Bar marked his subsequent career as one of the best Slovak bartenders and he quickly began to establish himself among the best bartenders in the world. As the manager of perhaps the most unconventional bar in Slovakia, he tries to bring something more to his work than the customer expects.

Our concept is based on three basic pillars: Classy, ​​which perfectly describes the Carlton Hotel and brings a touch of luxury to this space, Art, as we love art in every form, and even more so in our bartending world. The entire Art concept is enhanced by the gallery and many artists with whom we collaborate. Nature is a separate pillar that is supposed to bring the greatest experience. Each of us loves nature, it is a part of us, it is rooted in our DNA and provides us with an unforgettable experience. Unfortunately, in today's fast-paced world, we do not have enough time to enjoy its beauty, which is why we bring it directly to our guests.

The reconstruction of the bar was carried out by architect Lucia Ortutová from the Ortuta Architects studio. The original, listed elements were preserved in the space, while the new interior was enriched with organic natural structures, exclusive materials and architectural innovations. An important role in the bar space is played by black glass tables, which act as a kind of podium for the cocktails served. During the day, there is more light in the bar, while at night the bar is dimmed and illuminated by extravagant lamps above the tables. These create a kind of intimate "bubbles" and a cozy atmosphere.

The dominant feature of the bar's seating area is an impressive tree from the studio of florist Róbert Bartolen , which stands out under the listed dome. The award-winning florist also took care of the greenery above the bar.

Art in all its forms

The concept of the bar is therefore not only based on the aforementioned pillars, but mainly on skilled Slovaks. "We are proud of their creations, our bar is a mirror of their work. We have involved artists, designers, craftsmen, glassmakers, botanists in our concept, who have created a place with a passion for perfection. We want to show the world that Slovakia is a country full of creative and skilled people who move Slovakia forward every day," says Peter Marcina.

In addition to the aforementioned Lucie Ortutová and Róbert Bartolén, other skilled Slovak hands have also contributed to the uniqueness of the bar. Cocktails are served in designer glasses by the prestigious glass designer Patrik Ill or in original botanical arrangements by Botanical Lab. They are also accompanied by handmade ceramic coasters and bowls made of black clay by si.li ceramics, porcelain bowls by Bisqit ceramics, marble trays by Metaformi or wooden trays by WoodBuG. Some cocktails are finished with drops of essential fragrances from 1907 Perfumeries. You can also get the drink served in a glass printed on a 3D printer from ecological material. The shirts worn by the bartending team are from the Alain Delon fashion brand, designed to measure the bartenders , and sewn in Slovakia. And Peter Marcina invents creative cocktails that will amaze you at first sight.

Original cocktails in a unique presentation

Not only in the combination of flavors, but also in the serving. For example, you will receive a typical Slovak drink mixed with pine in a porcelain cup on a tray, along with a juniper bonsai and moss.

Another drink made with Zacapa rum is served in a small Guatemalan jungle. The glass dome containing the cocktail is smoky with a special perfume molecule supplied to the bar by the aforementioned Slovak niche perfumery 1907 Perfumeries. “The molecule smells like a forest after a rain. I am convinced that up to 90% of the taste is due to the smell. That is why we use edible perfumes. Together with perfumers Evka Škovranová and Štefan Kopeščanský, we create cocktails and balance the flavors, using the highest quality extracts,” explains Marcina.

A creative combination of flavors, aromas, and textures with respect for local resources and the environment.

The increasingly promoted principle of a sustainable lifestyle also extends to the world of Mirror Bar, which adheres to the philosophy of minimal waste. "We try to minimize waste as much as possible. We don't throw away what is left over from mixing drinks, but use it the next day to prepare other drinks. Ecology and so-called responsible business are very important to us," says Peter Marcina. By the way, in 2019 he won the global final of the international bartending competition Legends of London with his cocktail Better Idea of ​​Life, prepared on the theme of environmental protection and sustainability. For the winning drink, he used: 4 cl London No. 1 gin, 1/4 fresh avocado and 3/4 for making guacamole. The frozen avocado peel served as a bowl for the drink. He let a tree sprout from the avocado pit, under which the drink was served, and at the same time used the frozen pit as ice. He used fresh coriander stems, 2 cl lime juice, 2 cl coriander-lime cordial to create an aromatic cordial, which he sweetened with sugar. In this way, all the waste components of the individual ingredients were used. Finally, he added 4 drops of salt water, which brings everything together perfectly. As usual, the drink was served on handmade ceramics from the best Slovak ceramists.

Bratislava's Mirror Bar is clearly on a well-trodden path to success. In March 2020, the bar was named Best Hotel Bar in Central Europe at the International Hospitality Awards, beating out bars from 19 European countries. If you want to try to bring the Mirror Bar experience to your home, try mixing up original drinks , which were prepared exclusively for the readers of Žurnál Alain Delon by one of the best Slovak bartenders, Peter Marcina from the Mirror Bar in Carlton. At the summer party, you'll score with drinks from Mirror Bar's head bartender Stanislav Harciník .