Out of the blue

This article first appeared in the Jul/Aug 2015 issue of WGM.

Among the wide range of luxurious bars to be found in Macau, one of the finest is Bar Azul at Four Seasons where the dim lighting, peaceful blue tones and relaxed atmosphere make for a memorable experience.

This Stallion has always considered himself a champion of the people, so although I do enjoy quite the lavish lifestyle – partying in some of the world’s hottest nightspots and tasting the finer things in life – I’m just as comfortable catching up at the local bar for a pint of Guinness or a bottle of Tsingtao.

Nevertheless, there are times when I need to impress – when nothing but the best will do – and it’s on these occasions that I like to introduce the fine fillies in my stable to Bar Azul at Four Seasons. This trendy, luxurious bar is the perfect setting to enjoy a few pre-dinner drinks before heading to one of Macau’s many fine dining restaurants, or to partake in some late night refreshments to cap a romantic evening.

The first thing that strikes you about Bar Azul is that it’s very blue – no great surprise given that “azul” means blue in Portuguese. From the striped blue lighting running over head to the reflective surfaces it bounces off and the splashes of color dotted around the room, the ambience is one of calm and matches perfectly with the sleek, modern décor the dim lights reveal.

Although relatively small in scale, there are a range of different seating options available depending on your mood. If you’re keen to be in the thick of the action, pull up a stool at the long table that runs parallel to the bar in the middle of the room. A couple of round bar tables can also be found down one side of the room near the entry, while the opposite side boasts lush, cushioned seating situated around low tables for a more relaxed vibe. And if it’s privacy you’re after, the layout of the room means you can tuck yourself away at one of the corner tables for a far more intimate experience.

If you’re in the mood for a quick bite to eat, Bar Azul offers a small array of traditional Chinese snacks such as dim sum, spring rolls or noodle soup as well as three dessert options, however the main attraction here is the well-stocked bar itself.

Boasting a diverse wine cellar full of premium wines from around the globe, bottle service and a range of inventive cocktails, Bar Azul’s speciality is gin and as such they offer a fascinating selection of martinis using unusual ingredients like saffron, rosemary and chili.

They’ve even been known to store away special order bottles of wine and spirits specifically for their VIP customers upon request!

Given its five star reputation, Bar Azul also comes with five star prices so it’s probably not the sort of place you’ll visit every day of the week, but if you’re dressed to impress, enjoying an after work drink with colleagues or better yet spending some quality time with that special someone, you can’t go wrong with this classy nightspot.