Slip into the cool, chic and new bar in Bali, the ultimate cocktail appreciation society that is Akademi - the achingly divine bar of Potato Head's new hotel Katamama. Where ceramic cocktail glasses, infused arak and indigenous inspiration are all part of the fun
Don’t we all need to know about the newest cocktail bar in Bali? Join the [Cocktail Appreciation] Club! You know anything to do with Indonesia’s most famous sunset and cocktails address Potato Head Beach Club – stay tuned for more on their new hotel Katamama – is already going to be a winner. But wait, there’s more: Welcome to the world of interesting, indigenous and delicious cocktails at Akademi, Centre of Mixology and Cocktail Bar.
Akademi, you had as at honey arak. ‘Really, arak?’ we hear you say. Yes, it’s true – Akademi takes any expectations you may have about cool cocktail bars, and the coolest of cool cocktail creations themselves obviously, and makes them [and your own knowledge] so much more interesting.
If Bali had only one Cocktail Appreciation Society, it would be here. Only here. Award-winning bartender and author Dre Masso and his team have created a unique and stylish destination to hang [yes, that’s what you do when you feel like you’re in a cool mate’s place, you know.. just chilling with friends sipping your cool drink of choice with nowhere to be] and take in the delicious drinks. All with impressively-considered indigenous influence on everything you see, sip or eat.
Their inspiration is all – rightly – about Indonesia. And doing good, appreciating good, and tasting good. Dre and his team have worked with island tribes and local artisans as well as permaculture experts, to utilise the finest local ingredients for the menu which is all about the exploration of Indonesia’s fine tropical offerings. Pretty simple – they’ve created drinks that showcase the best of Indonesia.
And because Akademi is also about the world’s most celebrated and innovative mixologists and a centre for the craft, they offer a curated selection of drinks and twenty Infused locally produced araks made from coconut, rice and cane. Eight signature cocktails – using everything from root to flower – are works of art in their fabulous ceramic cocktail glasses.
So that’s drinks sorted – and don’t fret, you can join the monthly masterclass sessions to be on cocktail point for your next social gathering. But what about the rest, the look, the vibe? As you’d expect from anyone with as cool name like Dre’s [not to mention his incredible life and tales of travelling/working around the world in search of new drink creations], the design here is modern and styley.
Sit around the central, polished concrete Bartenders table and appreciate Indonesian arak infusing all around you on display. Everything is environmentally sustainable and considered – featuring materials such as bamboo, glass, copper, wood, ceramics, you name it.
You have to love a hotel that has a bar – and such an interesting bar at that – where a hotel lobby would be. So you’ll love to know that the Cocktail Master Classes are part of the cultural program of the hotel, as well as being available for non-guests to book right in. So here’s Cheers to Dre and his team at Akademi, raise your fabulously on-point ceramic cocktail glasses and Salute.
Akademi, Downstairs at the Katamama Hotel, Potato Head Beach Club, Jalan Petitenget No 51B, Seminyak.
