Bellini Lounge: hanging out in style

This article first appeared in the Nov/Dec 2012 issue of World Gaming magazine.

One of the most happening bars in Macau, Bellini recently reverted back to its original yet stylish self with the departure of the Playboy brand. WGM’s The Stallion popped in to see if his old stomping ground is still the place to be seen.

Thumping drum and bass, a quiet cocktail bar with a view, a big night with friends at a karaoke bar or some good old fashion live music – you name it, I’m up for it. Macau offers partygoers all this and more so it is no surprise I love being here. Choice is everything and there is no point going out if you only have one option on the menu. The Panda likes to have a few options when he is deciding where to dine – I am the same when it comes to partying.

People always ask me where is the best place to party in Macau. The obvious answer is wherever is pumping on any given night. There are a few prerequisites that any bar should have. Of course it should have alcohol. After all, how good is a “pub with no beer” as they say Down Under? You shouldn’t need to mortgage your apartment to buy a round of drinks. Obviously the more swanky the bar, the more expensive the drinks, but there has to be a limit and in my opinion some Vegas, Hong Kong and Singaporean bars overstep the mark. You also need a good atmosphere and there has to be something that makes the bar special – a place you want to spend time in.

Lastly there is nothing worse than being in a bar where there is hardly anyone of the opposite sex. This is unless you are going to a gay bar, which is fine, but for the rest of us who prefer members of the opposite sex then it’s good to have a balance. I am not talking about strip clubs or gentlemen’s retreats here, I am just saying that for me I like to cast my eyes upon some attractive young ladies from time to time and perhaps even try my luck and buy one a drink!

One place that has all this in spades is the Bellini lounge, just off the main gaming floor at the Venetian. While it may no longer be the home of the Playboy brand in Macau the attractive waitresses are still sultry and attentive and the service is excellent. This being Macau, it is not unusual to find some of the best bars and clubs in close proximity to casinos. After all, gaming is a major reason to visit Macau.

Bellini has long been one of Macau’s hottest spots when it comes to ladies. Their famous ladies night, held every Wednesday, is one that has always attracted a lot of attention with ladies drinking for free. If you can get all the girls in town at your bar then you will get all the guys there too. It’s a pretty simple equation and it has always worked well.

Bellini has a stylish elegance to it and in addition to table service boasts sizable comfy sofas and plenty of lounge space so you’re less likely to have to put up with smoke been blown in your face if you choose to queue for a drink at the bar. There are private tables that can be booked in advance should you wish to procure a spot near the sizable dance floor or with a great view of the stage. You’ll also find plenty of seating located on the other side of the huge island bar, nearest the casino floor. There are a wide variety of drinks including the Bellini, which is the house cocktail composed of schnapps, champagne and fresh peaches.

Bellini has some great live music with the resident band offering an eclectic mix of modern pop and R&B as well as more classic tunes. The resident DJ keeps the ambiance going and the tunes pumping in between sets, maintaining the dance floor action. The other great thing about Bellini is that you can always start your night at one of the in-house bars at the Venetian or alternatively one of the nearby independent bars like Café Deco or McSorley’s. There are plenty of places to grab a feed beforehand so there is no need to venture anywhere else than the Venetian for the entire night. Having said that, many of the ladies night patrons like to use Bellini as a warm up venue before heading off to Club Cubic at City of Dreams to take advantage of their ladies night, which is also on Wednesdays.

There are no bells and whistles or fancy gimmicks about Bellini and some people think that it lacks a little charm, but I beg to differ. Anywhere you can go that is packed with partygoers, especially tons of ladies looking for a great night out seems to tick pretty much every box for me.