Discover the Best Bars on MSC Cruises From Microbreweries to Robotic Mixologists

• A Pub with a Twist: Masters of the Sea offers a traditional British pub vibe, complete with full-scale microbreweries on World-class vessels.

• Elevated Elegance: The Champagne Bar delivers premium fizz, upscale caviar pairings, and sophisticated pre-dinner cocktails.

• Futuristic Mixology: Take a giant leap into the future at the MSC Starship Club on board MSC Virtuosa, where an automated robot prepares your drinks.

One of the greatest joys of an MSC Cruises holiday is the sheer variety of spaces available to unwind after a busy day of exploring.

MSC Cruises does not just offer standard watering holes; their modern fleet serves up some of the most innovative, visually stunning, and distinct bar concepts at sea.

Depending on the ship you choose, you can find up to 20 different bars and lounges on a single vessel, each meticulously designed around a unique theme, menu, and atmosphere.

Navigating this vast selection is all about matching your venue to your mood. Whether you are craving a perfectly poured pint of craft ale, a sophisticated glass of premium bubbly, or a handcrafted cocktail tailored to your exact taste, here is our curated guide to the best bars on MSC Cruises.

Masters of the Sea: A Proper British Pint at Sea

For British travellers looking for a slice of home, Masters of the Sea (known on some ships as the Brass Anchor) is the ultimate comfort spot.

Positioned as a cornerstone venue across the Meraviglia and World-class ships, this authentic venue completely rejects the typical glitz of cruise lounges in favour of dark wood finishes, plush leather booths, brick accents, and a warm, neighbourhood pub atmosphere.

It feels like stepping off the ship and straight into a classic London establishment.

A Dedicated Draft Lineup

While standard ship bars carry a streamlined drinks list, this venue is where draft beer variety truly lives.

You can settle in for a proper pint of Stella Artois, Newcastle Brown Ale, Guinness, or a rotating selection of craft IPAs.

The pub features authentic beer pumps and heavy glass tankards, ensuring the presentation matches the traditional setting perfectly.

Full-Scale Microbreweries

On World-class vessels like MSC World Europa and MSC World America, the pub expands into a full-scale microbrewery at sea.

Masterminded by legendary master brewers, the ship brews its own signature range of beers directly on board using desalinated seawater.

Guests can view the massive, gleaming copper vats through glass partitions while sampling completely unique pilsners, bitters, and pale ales you cannot taste anywhere else on earth.

Pub Entertainment and Fare

Beyond the pints, it is a fantastic hub for daytime trivia sessions, high-stakes darts tournaments, and late-night acoustic guitar sets.

Large television screens are strategically placed around the seating areas, making it the premier spot onboard to catch live Premier League football and international sporting events.

If you feel peckish, you can even order classic pub grub like fish and chips, artisan burgers, or buffalo wings.

The Champagne Bar: Glitz, Glamour, and Premium Fizz

If Masters of the Sea represents casual comfort, The Champagne Bar is the absolute peak of high-end, pre-dinner sophistication.

Typically located overlooking the multi-deck, Swarovski-crystal-laden atrium, this sparkling venue is wrapped in elegant, light-reflecting decor, cool metallic tones, and ultra-modern architecture that makes it the premier spot for people-watching.

Premium Bubbles

The signature menu serves up an extensive, curated array of worldwide champagnes, premium proseccos, and rare sparkling wines.

You can enjoy everything from classic labels like Veuve Clicquot and Moët & Chandon to decadent champagne-based cocktails.

Expert bartenders effortlessly whip up classic Bellinis, French 75s, or custom creations infused with fresh fruit reductions and edible gold leaf.

Upscale Accompaniments

To elevate the experience, your drinks can be paired with an array of gourmet finger foods designed to complement the effervescence of the bubbles.

The cold-galley menu features fresh oysters on the half shell, premium sashimi, smoked salmon blinis, and high-end caviar pairings, making it an unmissable destination for a romantic toast or a special evening celebration before heading to the main restaurant.

Elixir Mixology Bar and The Gin Project: Crafted for Connoisseurs

On the fleet's newest, forward-thinking ships, MSC Cruises has separated its cocktail spaces into specialised boutique bars run by expert bartenders who take their craft seriously.

These venues move away from mass-produced drinks, focusing instead on high-end spirits and artisanal techniques.

Elixir Mixology Bar

This trendy, high-concept lounge is the go-to spot for those who appreciate handcrafted, theatrical beverages.

Utilising fresh botanicals, custom infusions, dry ice, and homemade bitters, the mixologists here whip up visually stunning cocktails.

The back bar is stocked with rare, small-batch spirits, and the menu features a heavy focus on smoke-infused old fashioneds, custom whiskey flights, and educational tasting sessions where you can learn the science behind the pour.

The Gin Project

A dream come true for gin enthusiasts, this dedicated venue carries a massive library of more than 20 distinct craft gins, focusing on boutique distilleries from across North America and Europe.

Guests can converse with knowledgeable "gin-tenders" to customise a botanical cocktail based on their preference for floral, citrus, or earthy notes.

Drinks are paired with premium Fever-Tree mixers and custom garnishes like dehydrated grapefruit, pink peppercorns, or fresh rosemary.

On select nights, you can even try your hand at shaking your own creation using a vintage Crawley's shaker.

MSC Starship Club: A Futuristic Evening with a Robotic Bartender

Available exclusively on board MSC Virtuosa, the MSC Starship Club is far more than a simple cocktail lounge; it is a fully immersive, sci-fi entertainment experience that transports guests straight into a space station concept set in the year 2300.

Meet Rob the Robot

The undeniable star of the show is Rob, the first humanoid robotic bartender at sea. Guests use integrated digital cockpits and smart tablets at their tables to order from a specialised menu of futuristic, cosmic-themed alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, which are served in custom, collectable souvenir glasses.

An Immersive Performance

Rob then goes to work, seamlessly shaking, stirring, layering, and pouring your custom cocktail using his mechanised arms.

While he crafts your beverage, he engages with guests using human-like facial expressions on his digital face, speaks eight different languages based on the guest's profile, and even entertains the crowd with a few robotic jokes and dance moves.

The surrounding smart tables, interactive gaming screens, and 3D holograms complete the mind-bending, interstellar atmosphere.

Sky Bar and Horizon Bar: Scenic Outdoor Sips

No cruise holiday is complete without taking in the magnificent ocean views, and MSC’s upper-deck outdoor bars are masterfully positioned to maximise the scenery, fresh sea air, and warm weather.

Sky Bar

Perched high on the top decks of the Seaside-class ships, this rooftop venue is the ultimate spot for a sunset cocktail or a late-night digestif.

Offering panoramic, open-air views over the ship’s glass-floored Bridge of Sighs and the expansive ocean beyond, it provides a breezy, sophisticated resort vibe.

White lounge furniture, glowing neon accents, and a live DJ setting the evening mood make it the perfect place to enjoy a chilled Aperol Spritz or a custom mojito as the ship sails into the twilight.

Horizon Bar

Located poolside on Deck 19 on the Meraviglia-class ships, the Horizon Bar delivers a relaxed, sun-drenched lounge layout perfect for sea days.

It is the premier place to grab a refreshing frozen daiquiri, a crisp pina colada, or a chilled beer without ever having to step away from the pool deck action.

The bar boasts plenty of shaded seating for those looking to escape the midday heat while still soaking up the lively open-deck atmosphere.

Find Your Perfect Onboard Spot

From the low-key warmth of a traditional pub to the glitz of an upscale lounge or the novelty of robotic service, MSC Cruises ensures that your evenings at sea are just as memorable as your days in port.