From the opening of Amazónico and a new fine dining Japanese restaurant to the exciting re-launch of Moods and a revamp of the wine cellars of the Hôtel de Paris, here is everything worth getting excited about in Monaco this year.
Stéphane Valeri, Deputy Chairman of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, gathered the press together on Wednesday evening in the Crystal Bar of the Hôtel Hermitage to take stock of a successful 2023 and reveal a year full of exciting projects planned by Monaco’s biggest employer.
In fact, it is here in this very bar where SBM will open a brand new restaurant, he revealed on Wednesday for the first time along with a number of highly-anticipated opening dates of other restaurants and nightspots in the Principality.
Fine dining Japanese at the Hôtel Hermitage
A thrilling addition to SBM’s culinary offerings in the Principality will be an intimate, fine dining Japanese restaurant within the heart of Monaco’s ‘Grande Dame’, the stunning Hôtel Hermitage.
The current Crystal Bar will give way to this new gastronomic destination, which will be orchestrated by multi Michelin starred Chef Yannick Alléno. Mimicking his winning formula in the Pavyllon Monte-Carlo, Chef Alléno will transport from his restaurant L’Abysse in Paris the two Michelin starred sushi chef Yasunari Okazaki to recreate for a Monaco audience their award-winning Japanese cuisine.
The opening is expected some time in July, while a new location for the Crystal Bar is still in the works.
Long-awaited opening of Amazónico
Situated above the completely re-built Café de Paris, which relaunched in November 2023, the Amazónico restaurant will swing open its colourful doors on 4th April. With its infectious South American energy and Peruvian and Brazilian cuisine, paired with the ultimate location overlooking Casino Square, SBM is banking on Amazónico being a huge hit with locals and tourists.
Luxury boutiques in Place du Casino
By autumn, perhaps November, the redevelopment of Monte-Carlo will be complete with the opening of seven luxury boutiques near the Café de Paris. Among the famous brands will be luxury watchmaker Tag Heuer and world-famous jeweller Tiffany & Co.
The new Blue Bay
This is the first reopening of the year and it will take place in mid-February, confirmed Stéphane Valeri. The two-Michelin starred Blue Bay restaurant in the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort, headed by Marcel Ravin, has received a complete make-over and will re-open as a destination deserving of the talents of this much-loved Caribbean chef.
Moods makes a comeback
It’s been a long-time coming, but on 17th October 2024 one of Monaco’s most iconic nightspots will return to its original location in Monte-Carlo. After closing in April 2011, live music venue Moods will find a second life here, much to the delight of Monaco locals. In addition to live music, the ‘New Moods’ will also offer entertainment such as comedy, said Valeri, including English stand-up comedy.
Finger-food catering will be provided by two Michelin starred Chef Marcel Ravin.
Opening the Cellars of the Hôtel de Paris
Another exciting new announcement involves Monaco’s hidden goldmine… The vast wine cellars that tunnel beneath the Hôtel de Paris to the Hôtel Hermitage and house over 350,000 bottles of the finest wines. These legendary cellars, reserved exclusively for private events, will be renovated and opened to the public as a museum, with exceptional dinners, organised in partnership with some of the world’s leading wine brands, and guided tours to complete the offering.
50th anniversary year for Sporting Monte-Carlo
The home of Monaco’s biggest concerts, the Sporting Monte-Carlo, will this year turn 50 and big celebrations are planned. Over the past five decades, the Salle des Etoiles has hosted the biggest names in the entertainment world, from Frank Sinatra and Whitney Houston, to Tina Turner and Elton John. Meanwhile, Jimmy’z nightclub is an institution unto itself.
We will have to wait and see what anniversary celebrations SBM has in store for this iconic venue!
Join the Monaco Life community – sign up for the Monaco Life newsletter, and follow us on Threads, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.