The St. Regis Bar Jakarta Brings 1920s New York Jazz History to Life Through Cocktails and Ritual

Each drink tells a jazz legend's story, curated by Bar Manager Paulo Naranjo and elevated through St. Regis hospitality and live music six nights a week

JAKARTA, 26 January 2026 – The St. Regis Bar Jakarta has unveiled a conceptual cocktail experience that transports guests to 1920s New York's jazz era, when music, nightlife, and identity were being redefined in real time. Ranked No. 22 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025, the bar channels the cultural conditions that gave birth to modern bar culture: improvisation, elegance, rebellion, and social energy.

The New York-Inspired Cocktails collection treats each drink as a landmark in jazz history. Its third volume, which will be released January 22, pours legend into the glass: Duke Ellington's sophisticated orchestration becomes "Duke of Jazz No.2," a refined cognac sour that captures his elegant composure. Louis Armstrong's joyful trumpet bursts inspire "Pop's," with effervescent bubbles that pop like his horn notes. The Cotton Club's Prohibition-era passwords live in "403 Negroni," a bold reinterpretation embodying speakeasy secrecy. The Savoy Ballroom's legendary dance floor becomes "Happy Feet," a lively spirit that never stops moving. Al Capone's bartending days at Coney Island inspire "Crime-Tender," recalling when harsh bootleg gin was mixed with fresh ingredients to make it drinkable.

"Each cocktail is rooted in a specific jazz figure, venue, or song from that era," explains Bar Manager Paulo Naranjo, who previously led the bar program at The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore, an Asia's 50 Best Bars alumnus. "We're translating personality and rhythm into flavor. Duke Ellington's balance and composure. Benny Goodman's precision and swing. Ella Fitzgerald's purity and elegance. Louis Armstrong's spontaneous genius. The menu functions as a cultural timeline you can taste."

Additional highlights include "The First Lady" honoring Ella Fitzgerald's pure voice, "Swinging Benny" paying tribute to Benny Goodman's precise swing, and "Paper Moon," inspired by Ella Fitzgerald's timeless song, reinterpreting the modern-classic Paper Plane for dreamers chasing impossible dreams.

St. Regis Ritual Transforms Storytelling

What distinguishes The St. Regis Bar is how each cocktail arrives not just as a drink, but as a moment. Curated glassware chosen specifically for each recipe. Intentional presentation that honors the legend. Servers who share the history behind the name. It's the signature St. Regis Butler Service precision that turns every interaction into ceremony.

The bar's theatrical rituals reinforce this approach. The Violet Hour marks the transition from day to night with a sophisticated martini service. The Art of Sabrage is performed with precision and flair. Dramatic Bloody Mary unveilings command attention. These aren't gimmicks but moments of refinement that create emotional resonance, capturing the spirit of jazz-era New York where formality met freedom and social rules loosened after dark.

The Violet Hour, St Regis Jakarta

Live Jazz as Cultural Continuity

The Rapture Band performs Monday through Saturday, creating the kind of intimate, evolving experience that defined 1920s jazz clubs. Music isn't background entertainment but a living element of the experience, reinforcing the connection between sound, conversation, and drinking culture. It's how those legendary clubs actually worked: music shaping the room, the rhythm, the entire evening.

Guest Mixologist Series - “Raising The Bar”

Under Paulo Naranjo's leadership, The St. Regis Bar Jakarta has launched an innovative guest mixologist program, aptly titled “Raising The Bar.” This initiative is framed as a platform for creative exchange rather than merely hosting celebrity appearances. The concept invites visiting bartenders from across the region to engage with the bar’s 1920s New York jazz theme, interpreting its iconic figures, legendary venues, or influential musical movements through their own unique lens.

True to its inspiration, the program mirrors jazz’s collaborative tradition: it provides a clear structure, then encourages improvisation. Recent collaborations have included renowned talents such as Le Chamber from Korea, with guest shifts featuring co-created menus, one-night-only reinterpretations of classic cocktails, and informal knowledge-sharing sessions. By giving visiting talent something substantial to riff on—the rich cultural foundation of 1920s New York jazz—The St. Regis Bar Jakarta positions itself not just as a venue, but as a dynamic cultural platform where history and contemporary creativity meet.

Upcoming 2026 collaborations include takeovers from some of Asia's most celebrated bars: Bvlgari Ginza Bar from Tokyo on January 17, Hope & Sesame from Guangzhou (ranked No. 7 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 and Best Bar in Mainland China) on January 29, Dean & Nancy from Sydney on February 4, and Obsidian Bar from Shenzhen (No. 51 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025) on February 10. By giving visiting talent something substantial to riff on—the rich cultural foundation of 1920s New York jazz—The St. Regis Bar Jakarta positions itself not just as a venue, but as a dynamic cultural platform where history and contemporary creativity meet.

Raising The Bar, St Regis Bar Jakarta

From #88 to #22: Jakarta's Rising Bar Scene

The St. Regis Bar's achievement on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025, debuting at No. 22 after ranking No. 88 in 2024, reflects sustained momentum rather than a one-off moment. The significant climb validates a long-term cultural approach: depth over trends, identity over imitation, St. Regis refinement elevating every interaction.

This reinforces Jakarta's emergence as a serious regional bar destination alongside Singapore, Bangkok, and Hong Kong. The bar has also been recognized in Tatler Best Asia 100 Bars 2024 and 2025, further cementing its position in the region's cocktail conversation.

The St. Regis Bar Jakarta is located in the Golden Triangle at Rajawali Place, Jalan HR Rasuna Said Kav. B/4, Setiabudi, Jakarta Selatan. The bar is open daily from 5:30 PM to 1:00 AM, with live jazz performances Monday through Saturday from 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM.

For reservations and more information, visit www.stregisbarjakarta.com or call +62 21 5094 8888.

About The St. Regis Bar Jakarta

Situated within The St. Regis Jakarta in the city's Golden Triangle, The St. Regis Bar is a New York-inspired cocktail destination that combines timeless sophistication with cultural storytelling. Featuring interiors by award-winning designer Alexandra Champalimaud, a bespoke mural by Indonesian contemporary artist Eddy Susanto, and a trumpet-shaped chandelier by Lasvit, the bar offers curated cocktail experiences elevated through signature St. Regis rituals including the Violet Hour martini service and live jazz performances. Ranked No. 22 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 and recognized in Tatler Best Asia 100 Bars, the bar features a Wine Vault and Malt Room showcasing rare bottles and premium spirits.