White Raven skybar to open tomorrow

The establishment will offer guests a panoramic view of the cityscape, the Danube, and even Margaret Island. In addition to the view, the bar offers a special selection of drinks and food. White Raven's seven signature cocktails have been created especially for the bar by Mátyás Barta, bar manager, and Norbert Schök.

According to the press release, the drink list does not feature ordinary cocktail names for the signature cocktails, but appellations that define quality, nature, and personality: strength, perseverance, courage, faith, will, honor and humility.

The seven drinks linked to the legend of the Raven's seven tail feathers were developed in a two-week workshop, which included 10 hours of experimentation behind the bar followed by 4-5 hours of planning and evaluation.

"The names of the cocktails were taken from the mythology related to the Raven's tail feathers and they reflect and support the color, mood, presentation, and experience offered by the cocktails. I don't really believe in half solutions, so we tested, polished, reduced, and increased the ingredients until the entire cocktail line matured into a rounded whole," Mátyás Barta explained the process of creating the drinks.

Another important pillar of the skybar's gastronomic experience, in addition to the cocktails, is what Imre Maráczi, culinary director, and Zoltán Graur, culinary chef, have come up with to put on the plates.

"It's a rare opportunity to dream up a skybar menu that appeals to all the senses. So, we were full of ideas right from the start. We put our heads together with the team, and the concepts were put on the plates under the professional guidance of executive chef András Kanyó and culinary chef Zoltán Graur. The White Raven's menu features bar dishes; we've tried to create something new with each course, to be a worthy accompaniment to the amazing signature cocktails Mátyás and his team dreamed up. And what did we have in mind when we started? Just what we always have: to make something, others don’t make," said Imre Maráczi, referring to not only the basics of the gastronomic experience but also the interior design solutions.

The 3D ceramic mosaics are similar to the Zsolnay tiles on the Matthias Church. The back wall of the bar, serving as a drink holder, refers back to the church's stained glass windows. The arrangement of the tables and chairs is designed to offer a panoramic view no matter where guests sit. The design is the work of Nathalie Rottenburg. The Spanish-born, Brazilian-raised hotel design expert has been working with the Danubius hotel chain since 2015.

The White Raven skybar & lounge is owned and operated by Danubius Hotels and is to be opened to the public on July 23.