Molecular will be replaced!?

[Maligator]

I got the impression from a Molecular bartender that the concept was one of those brought on-board from a third party, under contract. She specifically mentioned the menu was created and set by a bar in NYC, if I recall correctly. So maybe the contract expired and either or both parties decided to part ways.

 

I could be mistaken. It has happened a time or two.

Edited March 6, 2015 by HickoryShampoo

[ChiGal1962]

Hmmm, I know people rave about the Molecular Bar, but I'm one of those has has almost never seen anyone in there when I passed by to try it. The Martini Bar has always been more of a fun place to hang out.

 

I guess I'll have to make sure to stop in there when I'm on the Reflection next month to see what I might be missing if/when they phase it out! lol

[drarill]

I have never seen the bar busy on the Equinox, Eclipse or Solstice. We went a few times with friends on our first Celebrity cruise and didn't care for the drinks (we are primarily wine drinkers). When we found they only served drinks from their menu we didn't return. Our friends would go occasionally and have a drink but never stayed long as there wasn't anyone their to socialize with.

 

if they expanded the drink offerings we would go there.

 

This is true, they are really strict about only serving from their menu and only serving alcoholic drinks. Last summer on the Reflection they wouldn't make a virgin drink for me, I was told by one of the bartenders... "I don't do virgins" :roll eyes: Even the MC concierge talked to them but they wouldn't change their mind. If our group decided to get together there I always had to go somewhere else to get something to drink. My friends and husband like the Molecular Bar a lot, but I do hope they expand their menu.

[cruise47]

The Molecular Bar is the only bar that I patronize so I truly hope this is not true. Please Celebrity don't mess with success.

 

Ditto, this is bar is our Bar our choice on the ship.

[Wj420]

Love the ginger mojitos! We order then continue to another venue to relax. Best drinks on the ship!

[Orator]

This is true, they are really strict about only serving from their menu and only serving alcoholic drinks. Last summer on the Reflection they wouldn't make a virgin drink for me, I was told by one of the bartenders... "I don't do virgins" :roll eyes: Even the MC concierge talked to them but they wouldn't change their mind. If our group decided to get together there I always had to go somewhere else to get something to drink. My friends and husband like the Molecular Bar a lot, but I do hope they expand their menu.

 

I've been on Reflection a number of times in the last two years and have never had any difficulty getting a virgin drink. In fact George, the bartender, encouraged me to try them.every cruise is different and changes in staff is one reason.

[koolforkatz]

Love the ginger mojitos! We order then continue to another venue to relax. Best drinks on the ship!

 

I agree - my fav too. I tell myself they have ginger in them so they must be healthy, right? :D

[brfan]

We found the same. On an Equinox med cruise last year. We preferred other bars to molecular. Theres a dry dock in May so timing is about right.

 

I thought the Equinox was in dry dock last year? Plus I don't see a gap in her scheduled for May. Are you thinking of another ship or were referring to another ship that has a dry dock in May?

[Shake]

The molecular bar is one of the two reasons I upgrade to the Premium package, the other being single malt scotch.

 

Molecular :eek: Great thought. That's all it going to take me now to upgrade to the "Premium" in June. :cool:

[drarill]

I've been on Reflection a number of times in the last two years and have never had any difficulty getting a virgin drink. In fact George, the bartender, encouraged me to try them.every cruise is different and changes in staff is one reason.

 

Good to know, I didn't have problems getting virgin drinks on the Eclipse, but the bartender on the Reflection was rude. I didn't like his "I don't do virgins" comment. Lenny, the MC concierge, tried to talk to them but they didn't want to make any exceptions. I was traveling with a group of friends and this was our favorite bar, but I had to go somewhere else to get my drinks. BTW, the staff at Al Bacio was completely different, one of the ladies used to go to a bar to get my friends alcoholic drinks. At the end of our cruise, we all showed her our appreciation with a nice extra gratuity, the guy from the Molecular bar didn't get any.

Hope I get one of the nice bartenders on the Equinox this summer.:)

[MizDemeanor]

Molecular is awesome. Its one venue that makes the S Class stand apart. If on the new builds Celebrity decides somehting else or nothing similar would be part of that class of ships, then so be it.

 

But for today, I can't imagine an S Class I'd sail on to be a real choice without Molecular. We like it as an engaging venue option way too much to want to be without it.

[Eno]

Better still be on the equinox when I go in April or will be unupgrading my drink package. Martini drinks are just too strong for me love the fruit based drinks

[ailetoile]

My husband and I also love the Molecular Bar and upgrade our drink packages specifically for that purpose. I wonder if the Celebrity rep will chime in here to either confirm the rumor or put this one to rest? :confused:

[Pushka]

I thought the Equinox was in dry dock last year? Plus I don't see a gap in her scheduled for May. Are you thinking of another ship or were referring to another ship that has a dry dock in May?

 

 

Yes. My bad. I have too many cruises on my mind. Sorry for the confusion.

Edited March 7, 2015 by Pushka

[Ex-Airbalancer]

I much rather see a pub in its place

Playing music like this

[Boxerlover2]

My DH and I also upgrade to the premium package because of the Molecular Bar. We absolutely love the drinks - we appreciate that the drinks taste the same each time we order them since the bartenders measure carefully for consistency. For the past three cruises, we have experienced big crowds at the bar before the evening show starts, more quiet time during the show and dinner, and then again very busy after the show. There have been times when we were there alone, but we have been the only ones at other bars too. The Molecular Bar is literally a hidden gem for us and we would be sad to see it go.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[bvocruise]

We upgraded our beverage package for a sailing in my to take advantage of the Molecular Bar on the 5/18 sailing. I just got off the phone with Celebrity and they could not confirm it the bar is going away.

 

I think we will wait to here something be the middle of April and cancel the upgraded drink package if the bar is being replaced.

 

Is the Reflection going into dry dock in May? I have not seen that confirmed.

[cruise kitty]

This is true, they are really strict about only serving from their menu and only serving alcoholic drinks. Last summer on the Reflection they wouldn't make a virgin drink for me, I was told by one of the bartenders... "I don't do virgins" :roll eyes: Even the MC concierge talked to them but they wouldn't change their mind. If our group decided to get together there I always had to go somewhere else to get something to drink. My friends and husband like the Molecular Bar a lot, but I do hope they expand their menu.

 

It sounds like you ran into some grumpy bartenders, they were really good about not using any sugars or simple syrups in my drinks, after the first couple of nights they kept a little supply of splenda (it may have been equal) for when I stopped by. Same at the Martini bar, they were very cooperative.

 

Hoping that the Molecular Bar does not close down !

Edited March 7, 2015 by cruise kitty

[SNJCruisers]

On reflection back in mid February it was totally different. They need mor seating as a couple times we went it was beyond standing room only. If they do in fact get rid of the concept, I don't believe we will be upgrading our drink packages for future cruises.

Could not agree with you more. The Martini Bar on our Summit cruise in 2013 was OK, but the Molecular bar on the Silhouette in 2014 was fantastic. If a regular bar is good, then the Martini Bar would be better, but the unique Molecular bar, IMHO, is the best. The drinks are cutting edge and they're not for everyone, but if they're done away with, then we'll settle for the classic package on future cruises and not invest in the upgrade.

[SNJCruisers]

The Molecular Bar is literally a hidden gem for us and we would be sad to see it go.

It's not on the schematic of the deck plans on the website and there is no signage promoting it at all on board. It's like a private bar for those "in the know". Because of the limitations of the menu, many are turned off by the concept, but that is what makes the place so great. The only other bar I have found afloat that comes close to the concept is the Alchemy Bar on some of the Carnival ships.

[scifimonkey]

It's not on the schematic of the deck plans on the website and there is no signage promoting it at all on board. It's like a private bar for those "in the know". Because of the limitations of the menu, many are turned off by the concept, but that is what makes the place so great. The only other bar I have found afloat that comes close to the concept is the Alchemy Bar on some of the Carnival ships.

 

Spot on, this is a bar for people who like cocktails! I understand the frustrations of those that don't and cannot get a beer there but there are plenty of other bars which cater for more general tastes. It is the fact that celebrity had such a variety of specialist bar venues that was attractive to us from the outset. An evening in a different bar was a completely different experience due to the offer as well as the decor. When you are limited by the confines of a ship such differences are essential if you are to compete with the competition of high quality land based offers where freedom of movement allows much more choice. I am already bemoaning the loss of Micheals club as a specialist beer bar and the watering down of cellar masters as a wine venue, but it seems that celebrity have caught the race to the bottom bug and very soon every bar will serve a limited playlist of broad appeal brand names that they can procure at discounted prices and enable them to deliver mass appeal vanilla to the middle ground. Very lucrative but they may need to reconsider the modern luxury tag line as Luxury is about quality, individuality and choice, not being all things to all people!!

[tispwisp]

I hope that is just rumor! I love love love the molecular bar! By far, my favorite bar on the ship. I may not always sit there, but I will order one or two drinks a night from there and either drink there with friends or take it with me to another venue. I love the uniqueness!

[kathynorth]

I got the impression from a Molecular bartender that the concept was one of those brought on-board from a third party, under contract. She specifically mentioned the menu was created and set by a bar in NYC, if I recall correctly. So maybe the contract expired and either or both parties decided to part ways.

 

I could be mistaken. It has happened a time or two.

 

The Molecular Bar is a licensed specialty concept of Junior Merino (the Liquid Chef). Merino owns and operates the Molecular lab in NYC that creates specialty recipes. Each bartender is specially trained and tested prior to being permitted to work this bar. Deviating from the approved menu can result in being removed from this prime position.

[bvocruise]

We partly chose Celebrity and the Reflection because of the Molecular Bar. We will cancel the upgrade to the premium beverage package if the bar is replaced.

[nngardener]

We recently got off a b2b in February on the Equinox. Every evening of the 21 days we were onboard we were at the Molecular Bar. I was determined to try every drink and find my favorites and I did just that. Ultimately the Scorpion Kiss and Kentucky Derby were the ones. Every night I took a Kentucky Derby with me into dinner. I really hope that the Molecular Bar doesn't get changed too much because it's the only bar I like on the ship. The bar has spoiled me for drinking anywhere else. Their drinks are so much better than the others. Also you couldn't pay me to go to the Martini Bar; IMHO it's loud, crowded and the drinks don't appeal to me at all. There's a market for the Molecular Bar. It was quite busy many times I was there or passed by and I believe with the Beverage Package more were trying it out and will be converted to fans like me.