From small city to the big wide world
As Mirror Bar strives to push innovation in cocktails and provide impeccable hospitality, guest shifts help overcome the challenge of getting anyone to notice beyond the borders of its small country.
Getting noticed on an international scale is a challenge when in a small city of a small country. Many people across the world have no idea where Slovakia the country is, much less be able to name the capital city, Bratislava.
For Mirror Cocktail Bar in the Raddison Blu Carlton Hotel, it has taken an intentional effort to broadcast its name beyond the country’s borders. In 2019, it underwent renovations both in the building and in concept. We all know how 2020 & 2021 went down in the hospitality industry, and Slovakia was quite strict regarding safety policies. But 2023 found Mirror Bar attracting global attention with 90th place in the World’s 50 Top Bars list, and so far in 2024 it has been nominated by Spirited Awards of Tales of the Cocktail in the regional top 10 honorees for two categories.
Spreading the word
One way to spread the bar’s reputation is through guest shifts. Stan Harcinik, global amassador of the bar, attributes their success to increasing awareness abroad that the bar even exists. “Since we have started to increase our travels around the world, presenting Mirror Bar, and also bringing international people to Slovakia, that’s probably the key, that people are able to experience the passion and hard work of our team,” he reflects in response to the Spirited Awards nominations.
Guests in the past include professionals such as Adrian Michalcik, with a host of awards under his belt including Global World Class Bartender 2022. “Guest bartending at Mirror Bar was an extraordinary experience, defined by the team's impeccable professionalism and passion for hospitality. . . The atmosphere was vibrant and wonderful, resonating with the warmth of Slovak hospitality. The guest shift at Mirror was an unforgettable evening for both guests and bartenders alike. Mirror Bar sets the standard of cocktail culture in central Europe, where every sip is a masterpiece of creativity and hospitality," Michalcik says regarding Mirror Bar.
Adrian Michalcik and Tania Shamshur
Slovaks pride themselves on their warm hospitality, and Tania Shamshur, owner and bartender of Brussels bar Edgar’s Flavors, definitely feels the reputation is warranted. “I really admire the team at Mirror Bar for their hospitality, their professionalism, the unity they have between them, and great cocktails of course. Mirror Bar hospitality is some of the best I have every experienced, without exaggeration. It was simply amazing!!!! I really love the Slovak people for their hospitality and sense of party!” she enthuses.
The team is foundational
As the both bartenders noticed, the team at Mirror Bar is exceptional. Indeed, one of their most recent regional top 10 nomination by Spirited Awards is in the category of Best International Bar Team in Europe. “Mirror Bar truly elevates the whole hotel bar experience in Slovakia and beyond its borders. The creative and passionate team with its focus on the guest’s experience is really what makes them successful," considers Martin Hudak, another guest bartender. Hudak has been on the top of the international bar scene for years, part of the team at American Bar, when it won number one in World’s 50 Best Bars in 2017, to part of opening Maybe Sammy, which has been in the top 30 of World’s 50 Best Bars practically since it opened.
Martin Hudak and Boris Ivan
Boris Ivan, who has also carried out a guest shift at Mirror Bar, agrees that the team is crucial. “Mirror Bar is one of my favorite spots in Bratislava, simply for understanding what teamwork, creativity, offering a unique guest experience and striving excellence need. I have to say that seeing the harmony between the guest and Mirror bar team is harmony for my heart.”
Giving back and building up
Mirror Bar doesn’t just promote itself as a bar, however, but also strives to elevate the gastronomy industry as a whole in the country. Ivan continues, “Mirror Hospitality Expo was absolutely a great experience and being one of the people who helped to make this event happen, I just can say, this initiative didn’t just offer a unique event for its guests, but also brought the Bratislava and Slovak hospitality community together which set a great foundation for the future model of living this unique lifestyle and inspiring each other,” referring to the bar show put on by the bar and hosted by the hotel.
Martin Siska also remembers the Mirror Hospitality Expo as a way to bring together the community in Slovakia. “I found the people to be very hospitable and I was so well taken care of by everyone. A big thank you to Stan and Peter for organising such a memorable event and for doing something so significant for Slovak hospitality and industry. It was wonderful to see so many great leaders representing their excellent work and Slovakia all over the world,” he says.
Martin Siska and Joe Schofield
Joe Schofield, who won both International Bartender of The Year in the Tales of The Cocktail Spirited Awards and Bartender’s Bartender at The World’s 50 Best Bars in 2018, appreciates that those in Slovakia are getting deserved recognition worldwide. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time during the Mirror Bar guest shifts; having visited the city a number of times over the years, it was great to see a spotlight shown on the wonderful people that work in the hospitality industry in Bratislava,” he declares.
Future of guest shifts at Mirror
Guest shifts continue for 2024, the next guests being Angelo Bafas of Nipperkin on 25.4. and Hedda Bruce of Tjöget on 23.5 (read our interview with her here). Follow Mirror Bar on Instagram to find out more future guests, Baba au Rum from Athens, and Iain McPherson of Panda & Sons from Edinburgh.
