A good watering hole must possess certain characteristics – I’ll start with a pet peeve of mine.

Order a cocktail – what do you get? Sugar water, frozen water, fizzy colored water, and a few drops of random undiscernible spirit…

Best profit point ever.

But can they make a real cocktail?

Y bar understands that a cocktail mixology is a serious art form, and a science, too – it should arrive elegant, and its fragrance must catch the nose, then please the lips, and tease the palate, and finally render sighs of satisfaction.

Y bar gets it, and they have invested expertise behind the counter – where it counts.

Any yahoo can slosh lemon-flavored pop over ice, throw in a sprig of tatty mint, and call it a mojito. And this cavalier attitude is the death of many so-called bars.

In fact, a bar must be professional – even the center of a hotel, not a token appendix, tucked away behind the stairs.

Y bar sits center-stage, proudly.

And rightly so. Y bar brings character, and presence.

You enter and…

Oh! Somebody’s put some thought and effort into building this tavern!

Wow… this surely isn’t a spare room, turned into a bar just for the sake of having one.

In fact, it reminds me of European locales with centenary pedigrees! Or Lower East Manhattan, New York City; Alto Palermo in Buenos Aires, Argentina; or now indeed Yas Island Abu Dhabi!

…where the thinkers would meet over the years, and discuss the affairs of the world, over drinks and coffee and cigars.

At the same time, Y bar isn’t stuffy and frozen in time, as some of the afore-mentioned public houses have become – Y bar is dynamic, progressive, making full use of natural light, and brandishing full-wall entertainment, broadcasting the best live sports events from all over the globe.

And a good, faithful bar must serve a savvy selection of drinks – an inescapable requirement.

Selection of fresh draft and bottled beer, of course – but also be available to cater to whatever whim and desire on the spur of the moment. Tickle my fancy.

Yes sir, says Y bar.

Okay, wow – but what if my palate is looking for something different, something traditional?

Yes sir, says Y bar!

For instance, how about a stiff G&T?

Oh my!

But can one smoke?

Yes sir, says Y bar, not getting tired of my questions…

Smoking section both indoors, far away from the non-smokers; and there’s a massive outdoor terrace for the win!

In fact, the terrace runs almost the entire front garden of the Yas Island Rotana!

So, with a wide variety of seating options, from enjoying a boisterous football game with the mates to a quiet chat in a private nook, Y bar takes on different guises depending on your need and preference.

But last, and not least: do you serve honestly delicious food?

Y bar just laughs and presents the menu…

Absolutely fantastic!

Finger-dipping Nachos – a masterpiece, generous on the trimmings, a mountain of curly tortilla chips, and you can taste the freshness of the ingredients. There was no cutting of corners here!

Look closer…

Best nachos I’ve had the pleasure of tasting in a very long time!

And with that portion size served, I didn’t mind sharing at all.

But that was just the appetizer… Y bar is just getting warmed-up!

Three slider sisters – fish, chicken, and beef!

Each with their own dressing, and surrounded by fantastic fries: light and crunchy on the outside, very flavorsome, and delightfully soft on the inside.

Another one for the history books – and for Instagram!

Until the next dish arrives…

Incredibly, Y bar serves sausage by the meter – and I must come back to try that!

But for us, “just” an All-American Hot Dog!

Great quality grilled veal bratwurst, and again just top-choice, top-notch ingredients, preparation, and presentation – it was super delicious!

Same story from the Orient, with a good serving of egg noodles with shrimps, bok choy, not-too-much chili, sesame, and soy – an excellent counterweight to the European and American options.

And much more, of course – so that Y bar stands on its own as a restaurant, a destination for a lovely meal out.

All the way to dessert!

Overall, Y bar is a bar with a Master Degree – professional and knowledgeable, where drinks are taken seriously; but at the same time the ambience is fun and lively, with extraordinary interior decor – perhaps the best part is the care and attention to serving top quality food and drinks. This is a bar to call your own and become a regular.