St. Regis Bar Jakarta: Redefining the Hotel Bar Experience

Earlier this month, we highlighted six Jakarta bars shaping the city’s cocktail renaissance in our Jakarta Rising feature. Among them was St. Regis Bar Jakarta, a venue redefining what a hotel bar can be in the capital. This standalone profile dives deeper into its story, exploring its design, program, and people through the voices of the team behind it. The insights here are based on conversations with Paulo Naranjo (Bar and Beverage Manager), Karina (Outlet Manager), and members of their team, who together reflect the passion and vision driving St. Regis Bar Jakarta’s success.

For years, hotel bars in Jakarta were seen as elegant yet inaccessible, grand rooms where beauty often came with a sense of distance. St. Regis Bar Jakarta is changing that perception. With live jazz drifting from its doors and a striking trombone-like installation above the counter, it pairs glamour with warmth, inviting rather than intimidating. That philosophy has earned recognition: the bar recently placed on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, a milestone both the team and its leaders are proud of.

“This achievement is a celebration of the team’s hard work,” says Paulo Naranjo, Bar and Beverage Manager. Karina, Outlet Manager, adds: “It’s a reflection of the dedication and teamwork behind the bar, and it brings new energy to continue doing our best.”

Design & Atmosphere

Step inside and the bar’s identity becomes clear: a New York–inspired jazz bar reimagined for Jakarta. Polished marble, plush seating, and a glowing back bar create a sense of timeless sophistication, while nightly live jazz gives the space its pulse. “What sets us apart is how committed we are to that identity,” Paulo explains. “From the live musicians to the elegant atmosphere and the cocktails.”

Music and culture are part of the fabric here. A mural tracing the history of jazz in Indonesia lines the wall, connecting the global heritage of the genre with local roots. For Karina, that collaboration between space, music, and drinks is what makes the experience singular: “We work with a signature jazz band to create an atmosphere that feels special, something that really sets us apart in Jakarta’s vibrant bar scene.”

Drinks & Program

The cocktail program reflects the same commitment to identity. Storytelling and elegance drive the philosophy, with each drink crafted to carry a narrative. Paulo describes their approach as “rooted in elegance, storytelling, and attention to detail,” while Karina adds: “Every cocktail is meant to tell a story, something guests can connect with. It’s about creating an experience that goes beyond the drink itself.”

Paulo Naranjo, Bar & Beverage Manager

The most iconic example is the Batavia Mary, Jakarta’s interpretation of the Bloody Mary, a cocktail first tied to St. Regis New York in 1934. Named after the city’s colonial-era name, it layers Indonesian flavors into a global classic. “It’s a tribute to our roots and our home,” Paulo explains. Karina frames it as both heritage and innovation: “It honors the original Bloody Mary while celebrating Indonesia’s multicultural identity.”

Beyond signatures, local ingredients define much of the program. Tamarind, pandan, arak, and a host of spices bring a sense of place to the cocktails. Limited access to imports, often seen as a challenge, has become a source of creativity. “It pushes us to be inventive with local produce,” Karina notes, “and that strength helps us stand out.”

photo from St. Regis Bar Jakarta

People & Impact

If design and cocktails set the stage, it is the people who bring the bar to life. Paulo recalls a turning point: “The pivotal moment was realizing just how much potential this team truly has. Seeing their passion and commitment on the floor really set the tone for what we could achieve together.”

Karina, Outlet Manager

Karina highlights the deliberate decision to raise standards: “We focused on storytelling through cocktails, elevating both product and service, and building a passionate team with a shared vision.” Together, that culture of consistency and warmth has helped St. Regis Bar Jakarta evolve from a hotel lounge stereotype into a key part of the city’s cocktail community.

The recognition also speaks to something larger. “Our success, along with other Indonesian bars on the list, shows that Jakarta and Indonesia have world-class talent,” Paulo says. Karina agrees: “It puts Jakarta on the international stage and hopefully inspires more bars and bartenders to aim high.”

Looking ahead, the bar is preparing to launch its Volume 3 cocktail menu. Details remain a secret, but both managers emphasize that consistency and creativity remain the guiding principles. “Our main focus is making sure every guest continues to receive the exceptional service and experience they expect,” Paulo says. Karina adds: “We want to keep surprising guests while delivering the very best.”

Both see Jakarta’s bar culture poised for growth. Paulo predicts the city will become “a major player in Asia, with more bars gaining international recognition.” Karina envisions Jakarta as “a top spot for cocktail lovers, with creative drinks rooted in local ingredients.” Their advice to the next generation of bars is simple but sharp: stay consistent, stay passionate, and stay true to your story.

In following that philosophy, St. Regis Bar Jakarta has transformed itself from a symbol of exclusivity into a vital part of Jakarta’s cocktail renaissance, a glamorous bar that feels both timeless and welcoming, rooted in the city while looking confidently to the world.