Carry On

Phoenix

Mile high design meets mixology

All aboard Carry On – an immersive, 1970s-inspired cocktail bar that harks back to the golden age of aviation, offering 90-minute cocktail-fuelled ‘journeys’ that combine meticulously crafted vintage ambiance with modern mixology. ​

Conceived by Peter Bowden and the Pretty Decent Concepts team, Carry On’s intimate, 30-seat jumbo jet cabin interior is an homage to mid-century style. Designed with complete and total immersion in mind, no detail has been spared in replicating a truly authentic aeroplane experience, from the richly carpeted jetway that includes a subtle, LED-lit air gap between the jetway floor and the aircraft entrance to the boarding pass-style cocktail menu and servers clad in era-appropriate replicas of pilot and steward uniforms.

While planes are not exactly renowned for spaciousness, the designers of Carry On circumnavigated the issues of cramped seats and lack of legroom synonymous with traditional air travel by installing generously sized plush chairs with ample legroom and ergonomic reclining options. Intimacy and privacy were other factors to consider, resulting in a varied arrangement of booths, lounge chairs and cosy two-top tables, allowing guests choose their preferred level of social interaction.

This masterclass in retro-futuristic design blends the best bits of nostalgic aesthetics – think polished walnut panelling, brass details, deep chestnut and caramel leather tones – with the jazzy tech-focused enhancements that only the modern world can provide. The lighting, for example, is a carefully conducted orchestra of different levels that change throughout each cocktail sitting to mimic the sensation of flying, culminating at golden hour, when the cabin is bathed in a dreamy golden-pink glow when the bar reaches ‘cruising altitude’.

The specially crafted LED windows display aerial views of famous landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and the pyramids of Teotihuacan while visitors sip cocktails, the arrival of which is announced by the illumination of a tableside Martini Light – a nod to the inflight service request light.

Said drinks come courtesy of a beverage programme led by Jax Donahue (formerly of Phoenix bar Platform 18) that leans into flavours that evoke the essence of global travel. Take Terroir, for example, a signature cocktail crafted for a San Francisco to Mexico City flight path made with mezcal, sherry, marionberry and lemon.

Blending of storytelling, spectacle and hospitality to give guests a transportive escape to the bygone days of glamourous aviation, Carry On is awarded the Best Bar Design Award, sponsored by St-Germain, as part of North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025.

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