Strand Bar

Strand Bar is the colonial-era hotel bar inside The Strand Hotel at 92 Strand Road in Kyauktada Township, on Yangon's historic riverfront in Myanmar. The Strand opened in the early twentieth century and remains one of the city's best-known heritage hotels, and the bar carries that atmosphere with dark wood, period styling and attentive table service. The crowd is a mix of hotel guests, business visitors, diplomats and well-heeled locals, mostly aged thirty and over, and the mood is subdued and conversational rather than loud. Dress is smart casual; beachwear and very casual sportswear are out of place, and collared shirts or neat dresses are the usual choice. Music is soft background jazz or lounge selections. The drinks programme is built around classic cocktails, with gin and tonic and the Singapore Sling as the signature references, alongside a wine list, whiskies and other spirits and a short list of local beers. Prices are the highest tier in Yangon, in line with a five-star hotel setting, and drinks are typically charged with service and tax added; payment can usually be made in kyat or by card. Opening hours follow an evening pattern each day, with the bar busiest from sunset into the late evening and a quieter pre-dinner trade; hours should be verified with the hotel. There is no cover charge. Reservations are not normally required for a drink, but a booking is sensible for larger groups or on busy weekend evenings, and staff can arrange it through the hotel front desk. Bottle service is not a feature of the venue. The location suits an evening that combines a walk through the downtown colonial streets with a first drink before dinner at one of the surrounding restaurants.