MARRIOTT International has set its sights on changing Fiji’s beverage through its newly refurbished Cellar & Barrel, Fiji’s first speakeasy bar dedicated to fine wine, rare whiskey, and spirits, as well as crafted cocktails.
Located at the Sheraton Fiji Golf Club and Beach Resort, the Cellar & Barrel reopened its doors on March 13.
Complex director of Food and Beverage Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort Ajeesh Vijayakumar said the outlet has 13 staff members and four mixologists, two of whom are local and two from overseas.
“It’s a perfect mix of local and international talent, so our beverage manager is Irish, and our bar manager is Chinese. For our mixologists, we’ve got a Kenyan girl and an Indonesian girl,” he said.
Mr Vijayakumar said the cellar provides an array of fine wines, and customers are given the option of participating in wine tasting with the menu changing every few months.
He said the bar provides a more intimate experience with a classy atmosphere perfect for business meetings, cocktails or just a classy evening with friends and family.
“Guests are also able to store whiskey purchased in wooden casings that are locked and engraved with the guest’s name.
“The storage time frame goes up to 30 days but if they are spending up to $2000, the time frame extends to about 90 days.
“The barrel only opens from 5.30pm until midnight and on weekends it opens until 1am.”
Mr Vijayakumar said another speciality of the Cellar & Barrel is the services of Ukrainian DJ Cozy Anastacia who’s performed at luxury hotels in Dubai.
“We’ve got 89 whiskey labels. Our goal is to have 100 whiskey labels by July, currently we are in the process of getting 11 whiskies.
“We are working closely with our vendors, they are bringing different whiskies from different parts of the world, we’re even getting Chinese whiskies.”
Mr Vijayakumar said there are about three different whisky labels that are aged 25 years.
“This is a non-smoking area.
“We have a smoking garden set up outside which is currently in progress.
“This is not a nightclub. We do have a DJ, but we want to keep it as classy as possible.
“We are not competing with our neighbour, we have our own clients.”
Mr Vijayakumar said the capacity Cellar & Barrel is 30 while the area downstairs has a seating capacity of about 50, but it can accommodate 120 guests.
“The rates vary but the minimum rate starting is $8000 to book half the room (barrel) for four hours.”
Mocktail options such as non-alcoholic gin and non-alcoholic vodka are also available for those who do not drink alcohol.
Note: This article was first published on the print version of the Fiji Times dated April 4, 2025.
