The Prague Bar & Books Týnská hosted an unforgettable evening. After a long time, the Bratislava duo Peter Marcina and Stan Harciník - the faces of the iconic Mirror Bar - stood side by side at the bar once again. Along with local head bartender Michal Ďuriník, they formed a trio that demonstrated how the combination of energy, friendship, and craftsmanship can turn an evening into a small bar celebration. The entire event was sponsored by premium rum Brugal 1888, which set the tone for an evening of elegance, depth, and genuine bar culture.
A Collective Return to the Bar
It was a unique moment of experience, friendship, and respect converging at Týnská that evening. Peter Marcina and Stan Harciník, now key figures of Bratislava's Mirror Bar, had not been behind the bar together for some time due to their different roles and work commitments. Their joy in this "return" was evident.
In the cozy, dimly lit interior of Bar & Books, with its typical wood paneling and bookcases, the energy of this exceptional collaboration was palpable from the first moment. Two bartenders who understand each other without words. Next to them, Michal Ďuriník, Týnská's head bartender, complemented their rhythm with natural ease. The trio managed to create not only drinks for the guests but also an evening that will be remembered for a long time.
Mirror Bar: A World-Class Slovak Phenomenon
A few weeks ago, we knew that the duo Harciník and Marcina would be coming to Týnská Street, but we had no idea how high their Mirror Bar would rank in the prestigious The World's 50 Best Bars in the meantime. Newly holding the position of the 25th best bar in the world is an incredible achievement. This success for Mirror Bar is not just a Slovakian triumph but also a European story. The bar, located in the historic Carlton Hotel in the center of Bratislava, has worked for a long time to achieve this position among the best establishments in the world, and the 25th place is - dare we say - one of the "fruits of their labor."
This award recognizes the work of the entire team that has built a unique concept in Mirror Bar - a combination of classics, art, and nature. The bar builds on thoughtful cocktail menus, often inspired by the theme "Nature & Art," paying attention to detail in presentation, service, and atmosphere. Today, Mirror Bar stands alongside global names and brings confidence to the region that Central Europe has a firm place in the bar world.
Brugal 1888 as the Backbone of the Evening
The entire evening at Týnská was marked by Brugal 1888 rum, which served as the base for all four cocktails. This premium rum from the Dominican Republic, known for its two-stage maturation in bourbon and sherry casks, lent depth and velvety complexity to each drink.
The first cocktail was the Old Cuban - a fusion of Brugal 1888, pineapple, mint, Supasawa, green Chartreuse, and champagne. An elegant aperitif with tropical freshness, herbal notes, and a sparkling finish that immediately set the mood for the evening.
Next came the Cebero of AI, a drink with character. Smoky maple, horchata, oat milk, and Mirror Citrus Bitters combined with Brugal to create a silky smooth and earthy cocktail with a slightly caramel flavor - a liquid portrait of modern mixology.
The third drink, the legendary signature Mirror Bar Lux, received a new twist in Prague. This time with Brugal, passion fruit, Paragon Rue Berry, Tio Pepe sherry, and champagne. The result was exotic, juicy, and seductively refreshing. Served on a light tray with a gentle arc of light, it was like a scene from another world - a visual and flavor magnet for the evening.
And finally, the Paragon x Maté 1888, a reinterpretation of Mirror Bar's non-alcoholic signature cocktail, this time with a touch of rum. Yerba Maté, Paragon Rue Berry, and Brugal 1888 created an herbal and tea-like composition with a pleasant freshness. Served in a glass cabinet with smoke that dissipated into the space when opened, it was an experience in itself - a drink that is savored with the eyes before the lips.
Rum, Elegance, and Community
Those who longed for the pure form of Brugal 1888 could head to the elegant vintage cart, where guests were greeted by Linda Rejfko, the brand's Brand Ambassador. With elegance and a smile, she poured the golden rum into original designer glasses - a moment that combined the refinement of Caribbean heritage with a Prague club environment.
While cocktails were being mixed at the bar, the guests were bustling. Numerous bartenders and personalities from the Czech bar scene came to Týnská to support their colleagues from Mirror Bar and taste drinks from their workshop. It was a night when Prague and Bratislava symbolically united with one bar, one rum, and four cocktails.
An Evening That Reminded Us Why Bar Culture Is Alive
Marcina and Harciník's guest shift was not just a showcase of technique and premium rum. It was a dialogue - between two cities, between friends, and between a world of classic values and modern creativity.
That is why the evening at Týnská will never be forgotten.
Not because anything unusual happened, but because everything worked - naturally, precisely, and with that rarest of bar elements: humanity.
