The Strand / Sarkies Bar

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Sarkies Bar / Branding

Sarkies Bar, also known as Sarkies Bar At The Strand, is a century old cocktail bar located in The Strand Hotel, in Yangon.

Both the hotel and the bar have been created in 1901 by the Sarkies brothers.

In 2017, The Strand was thoroughly renewed and refurbished, to bring back its glow to the heritage venue.

Upon its reopening, The Strand had invited international mixologists, and created a heritage inspired cocktail list to make the bar a landmark amongst Yangon's liquor & cocktails aficionados.

The logo is inspired by archive items found onsite as-well as an illustration of Yangon's iconic building.

Project made with GCP Hospitality

Photography by Lucas Gurdjian

Brief

Open in 1901, by the Sarkies brothers, Aviet, Arshan & Tigran, Sarkies Bar became a renowned Yangon staple for more than a century, hosting patrons ranging from Hemingway, Mick Jagger to world Royalty and Ambassadors.

In 2016, The Strand Hotel needed the aging establishment to be refreshed and refurbished to withstand its reputation.

Solution

Along with the work done on The Strand Hotel, in wanting to stay true to its legacy, Sarkies Bar’s new logo pays homage to the building and its founders.

The offer remains high-end cocktails, but in an updated “smokey/speak-easy” venue. The overall space design was done in collaboration with prestigious architect studio P49.

Strategy

The venue was re-activated through a strong mixology program, featuring bar take-overs showcasing some of Asia’s finest mixologists. Sarkies Bar was given the tools to produce aged cocktails, house-made Rhums, and many custom infusions & oils.

The objective was to revive the space as a select go-to for Yangon’s top-tier patrons.