The World Bar

After dinner, I dropped Sweet Pea off at the kid's club while Ross took Grandma Trudy to the show.  After the show, Trudy wanted to hang out and listen to some music in the Grand Foyer while Ross and I got a drink at The World Bar. The World Bar recently replaced the renowned Molecular Bar on the Celebrity Reflection.  Theoretically, The World Bar is supposed to be one of the best bars on the ship, where you can order especially creative cocktails made with premium liquors.  In reality, for us, The World Bar was not ready for prime time yet.

We encountered an extremely surly bartender who was unwilling to make many of the drinks on the menu.  When we arrived, Ross saw a bottle of Don Julio 1492 tequila on the bar.  Ross really likes tequila and had even bought a bottle of it some time ago.  Trying to strike up a conversation, he said to the bartender, "Oh, you have Don Julio 1492?"   The bartender snapped, "It isn't open yet!  I can only serve things that are on the menu."

So, Ross looked over the menu and tried to order the Zacapa Above the Clouds.  The bartender told him, "I don't have a decanter so I can't make the Zacapa Above the Clouds."  Ross was feeling frustrated and replied, "Well isn't there another way you can decant it?"  The bartender said, "I guess I could find something, but it will be an upcharge."  Ross assured him that would be okay.   The bartender did eventually make the drink, but he was certainly grumpy about it.

I now know that this was the very first week that the new World Bar was open which is why they were missing equipment and ingredients.  However, our bartender never explained that to us and we somewhat felt like we were imposing on him whenever we tried to order something.

During our cruise, we heard several other people's drink orders be rejected for various reasons such as not having a decanter, equipment, dry ice or egg white.  There was another bartender (Niksa?) who seemed much more accommodating.  He asked people what they liked to drink and would make up new drinks for them.   Several people came back to visit him every night and were delighted with his attitude and creations.   We were at the World Bar several times, but were never served by Niksa.  Towards the end of the cruise, Ross mentioned to me that he thought we'd have had a totally different experience if we'd have had him instead.


The World Bar Menu is located below:

Zacapa Above the Clouds

Floating as light as a cloud, indulge in this elegant experience of Zacapa Rum infused with aromatic Applewood Smoke.  

2oz Zacapa Rum smoked with Applewood 

$15

Johnnie Walker Citrus Gold

A burst of golden sunshine, savor the class and elegance of this tangy cocktail marrying together Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, limoncello, cinnamon syrup, freshly squeezed orange juice and plum bitters.

1 1/2 oz Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve

3/4 oz limoncello

1/4 oz cinnamon syrup

1 oz freshly squeezed orange juice

1 dash of plum bitters

$13

Celebrity No. TEN

Show your true Celebrity status as you luxuriate in this refreshing cocktail.  Made with the unique Tanqueray No. TEN gin, fresh raspberries, a dash of bitters, lemon juice and crème de violate topped off with ginger ale.

1 1/2 oz Tanqueray No. TEN

6 fresh raspberries

3/4 oz simple syrup

3/4 oz lemon juice

1 dash angostura bitters

1 bar spoon of crème de violette

$13

The Buck Stops Here

Enjoy the crisp refreshing taste of this Haig Club cocktail beautifully crafted with this unique Singe Grain whisky, ginger beer, green tea syrup and baked apple bitters.  Beautifully garnished with candied ginger.

1 1/2 oz Haig Club

3 oz Feber Tree Ginger Beer

1/2 oz Green Tea Syrup

0.04 oz Bark Keep Baked Apple Bitters

$13

Bulleit Infusion

Immerse yourself in the colors and flavors of a rainbow of tropical fruits infused especially for you with the exquisite Bulleit Bourbon

2 oz Bulleit Rye

1/2 oz Sauvignon Blanc

1/2 o simple syrup

1/2 oz Carpano Antica

Dash of angostura bitters

Squeeze of lemon

$15

Don Julio Paloma 

Don Julio Alejo brings a classic to new heights.  Tantalize your taste buds with the tang of grapefruit and sweetness of vanilla infused syrup.

1/4 oz vanilla syrup

1/4 oz lime juice

1/4 oz pink grapefruit juice

1 1/2 oz Don Julio Anejo

$13

Cîroc Sailor's Crush
Taste the tropics, refresh your palate and escape the ordinary with this twist on the legendary Mojito.

1 1/2 oz Cîroc Pineapple

Muddled pineapple

3-4 mint leaves

3/4 oz Vanilla syrup

3/4 oz fresh lime juice

1 oz club soda for the top 

$13

Kentucky Calling

Bulleit Bourbon reigns in the sweetness of solar sherry and tartness amaro creating a perfectly balanced aromatic experience.

1 1/4 oz Blleit Bourbon

1/2 oz Solera Sherry

1/2 oz medium style amaro

4 dash mole bitters

$13

Haig Clubman

This refreshing cocktail’s simple combination brings out the fruitiness and gentle spice of the single grain whisky.  Cheers!

1 1/2 oz Haig Club

1 1/4 oz gingerly

3 dashes apple bitters

$13

Mystic Ketel One

Dive into the mysteries of Ketle One vodka with this unique ritual serve.  A specially designed kettle, cooks your cocktail right in front of your eyes and releases the mystical vapor.  Enjoy the light tropical taste of Ketel One, strawberries, pineapple, aloe vera and lime juice enlivened with ginger liqueur.

1 1/2 oz Ketel One Vodka

3 strawberries

1/2 oz simple syrup

3/4 oz pineapple juice

1 oz aloe vera Juice

1/2 oz lime juice

1/2 Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur

$15

Cîroc Tropically Yours

Capturing the very essence of the Caribbean in your glass, this cocktail masterfully combines Cîroc Vodka and Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, with a hing of lemon and pineapple juice.

1 oz Cîroc Vodka

1 1/2 oz Parrot Bay Coconut Rum

1/2 oz Coco Lopez

1 oz grilled pineapple juice

1/2 oz lemon juice

$13

Ketel One Strawberry Fields

Indulge in this succulent strawberry delight made with Ketel one vodka, Cocchi Americano, fresh strawberries and grapefruit juice and served beautifully in a martini glass.

1 1/4 oz Ketel One Vodka

1/2 oz Cocchi Americano

3-4 fresh strawberries

1/2 oz grapefruit juice

1/2 oz simple syrup

2 dashes orange bitters

1 egg white

$13

Zacapa Old Fashioned

Experience a twist on one of the classics as Zacapa elevates the “Old Fashioned” to the next level.  Rich, luscious Zacapa 23 Rum, missed with angostura bitters and a dash of chocolate mole.

2 oz Zacapa 23 Rum

1/3 oz simple syrup

2 dashes of angostura

2 dashes of chocolate mole

$13

El Don Julio

The one and only Don of Tequilas, Don Julio Reposed is gently mixed with lime, simple syrup and a hint of créme de cassis, then garnished with fresh raspberry and mint.

1 1/2 oz Don Julio Reposado

1/2 oz lime

1/2 oz simple syrup

1/2 oz crème de cassis

$13