My Philosophy
I believe a bar program is a form of sensory storytelling. Through story-driven bar programs and precise beverage engineering, I create immersive environments that transcend the glass. My work focuses on building connections that resonate long after the final pour—crafting experiences where every detail serves the narrative of the venue.
KIKUCHI
Cocktail Menu of Mimi Kakushi
Nominated: Top 10 Global Cocktail Menu | 50 Best Bars 2024
Manja Stankovic does not build cocktail menus; he architects immersive, living worlds. Operating as a premier creative force at the intersection of liquid design, audio curation, and cultural history, he treats every story-driven bar program as an avant-garde art gallery—a vision that helped propel Mimi Kakushi onto The World’s 50 Best Bars.
Anchored in the vibrant legacy of 1920s Osaka jazz, the award-winning Kikuchi menu conceptualized by Manja redefines contemporary beverage design by turning a standard drink list into an interactive, multi-sensory vinyl collection.
Housed in a custom wooden box filled with miniature record cases, each high-volume craft cocktail is meticulously paired with a specific track of early Japanese jazz. As guests order, they are invited to play and listen to the song while they sip—proving that world-class luxury bar concepts are driven as much by conceptual depth as they are by liquid execution.
KINTARO
Cocktail Menu of Mimi Kakushi
Following the global acclaim of the audio-driven Kikuchi project, Kintaro represents an evolution in narrative architecture created by Manja Stankovic, shifting the medium from pure vinyl soundscapes to immersive vintage cinema.
Cinema serves not just as inspiration, but as a direct narrative device. Breaking away from conventional menu structures, each cocktail is meticulously paired with a vintage film archive. As guests order, corresponding scenes from that specific movie are projected in black and white directly behind the bar in real time.
In this multi-sensory environment, high-volume craft cocktails are engineered to evoke the mood, tension, and texture of the silent-era screen. By seamlessly translating cinematic history into a physical experience, this project conceptualized and designed by Manja proves once again that world-class hospitality thrives on uncompromising conceptual depth.
KŌRI KAKUSHI MARTINI
Signature serve by Manja Stankovic
Created by Manja Stankovic for Mimi Kakushi, and dubbed one of the coldest Martinis in the world, this signature serve transcended standard mixology to become a globally recognized benchmark, drawing cocktail enthusiasts and international travelers to Dubai specifically to experience it.
What elevates this serve from a drink into a revered ritual is its uncompromising preparation and dramatic presentation. Pre-batched with Japanese ume and vermouth, the spirit is sealed into bespoke bottles and frozen within a massive block of ice for seven days at -20°C.
Brought tableside on a dedicated trolley, the block is carved open in front of the guest using traditional Japanese tools to release the thick, frosty liquid. It is complemented by a citrus aroma spray, tailored garnishes, and an atmospheric jazz track playing in sync.
CONTACT ME
Manja Stankovic
Tel: +971586382949
Email: [email protected]