This Bruno Mars Pop-Up Bar Is a Rum-Soaked Dream
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Bruno Mars has seen tremendous success as a musician, winning 15 Grammys. And while there’s no word on new music for now, Mars does have some new projects in the works, including a pop-up beach bar in Hawaii.
Mars was born and raised in Honolulu. He was on stage from the time he was a child, performing as an Elvis impersonator before pivoting into music of his own.
“When I used to perform [in Hawaii] as a kid, I remember seeing everyone drinking rum cocktails, and everyone always smiling and having the best time,” the singer told Parade.
SelvaRey Rum
Now the Hawaiian-born artist has opened a luxury pop-up bar of his own at the Fairmont Orchid resort on the Big Island. The menu is crafted entirely with SelvaRey rum, the company for which Mars is a part-owner.
“I always associated rum with vacation and Hawaii. When the opportunity came up to have a SelvaRey bar on the beach at the Fairmont, I couldn’t pass it up,” Mars said.
Related: 75 Happy Songs That Will Make You Feel Great
Bruno Mars and his team meticulously curated the design of the pop-up, featuring vintage decor pieces that mirror Mars’ old-school sound.
SelvaRey Rum
“SelvaRey was started almost 10 years ago, and that was a few years before I heard about it. A friend brought some to me and I loved it,” Mars said. “A little while later I had the opportunity to meet the guys that created it and they told me their goal—to show people how good rum can be. I wanted to be a part of that.”
SelvaRey’s rums have won various awards, but their Owners’ Reserve is known for being particularly hard to get your hands on. It took the SelvaRey team over two years to find the perfect blend.
Related: Rum Enthusiasts Will Love These Classic Cocktails
“When we created Owner’s Reserve, we wanted to make the best sipping rum, and I think we did it. We’re excited that people love it as much as we do,” Mars said.
Drink options at the SelvaRey Rum Bar range from $18-$22 and are themed in Bruno’s honor. The cocktails feature names like Weekend at Bruno’s, Cold Brewno and Uptown Punch.
Bruno Mars has said that a classic piña colada is his favorite drink, but for his pop-up at the Fairmont Orchid they opted for a different approach.
“The classic piña colada is a go-to drink for the beach or pool. But our version, the Hollywood Colada, is light, easier to make, and uses fresh ingredients, so I can drink that anywhere,” Mars told Parade.
Where a traditional piña colada is thick and dessert-like, the Hollywood Colada is like the classic piña colada’s lighter, crisper cousin. It features coconut water and fresh pineapple juice, making it more refreshing than the traditional fare.
Other drinks on the menu do not disappoint. The Mojito Royale is a crowd pleaser. It features SelvaRey white rum, mint, sugar and lime, and is topped with champagne to give it a light effervescence.
The SelvaRey Rum Bar at the Fairmont Orchid is set to remain open through June 30, but if it keeps up its initial popularity, it’s likely to become a more permanent fixture.
