If you close your eyes and envision a glamorous journey by train, you probably picture the elegance of the bar car first: a place where travelers can mingle and unwind with a glass of Champagne to classic tunes—perhaps even singing along come nightfall. Aboard the world’s most luxurious trains, the bar car is often the most opulent space and represents the social heart of the journey. This is where passengers come dressed in their best black tie attire and swap stories after a long day of sightseeing.
Here, we’ve gathered seven of the most alluring bar cars on board legendary trains that crisscross the globe, from the Seven Stars Kyushu in Japan to the Hiram Bingham in Peru. Read on for your inside glimpse into what it’s like to spend an evening in these glitzy spaces—including, importantly, what’s on the drink menu—and join us in raising a glass to one of travel’s most exalted experiences.
Britannic Explorer Observation Car
When it debuts in July 2025, Belmond’s Britannic Explorer will roll out opulent train cars designed to evoke an English garden party, and the bar will be no exception. The inviting space—located within the train’s Observation Car—will be outfitted in a soothing pallet of botanical greens and warm neutrals with plenty of banquettes and armchairs to settle in and watch the verdant countryside whisk by. When it’s time for a drink, guests can choose from a menu of cocktails inspired by Victorian apothecaries, as well as a special selection of gins and craft beers hailing from independent breweries and distilleries across the UK. And don’t forget to pack your dapper attire: Come nightfall, the bar will host “lavish festivities,” according to Belmond, such as a rotating roster of live performers, elegant themed parties, and seasonal soirees.
Rovos Rail Lounge Car
The bar car on Rovos Rail—which runs a multitude of routes through Southern Africa, many of which include safaris—is a gracious space that exudes classic sophistication. A curved wood bar with polished stools leads into a salon of tufted leather sofas and armchairs. Oversized windows frame the vast African landscapes rolling by. Passengers visit the wood-paneled car to relax and socialize, perhaps chatting about the wildlife they saw on their game drives earlier in the day or swapping stories about their world travels. Friendly attendants stand at the ready to serve up rare bottles of African wine or mix any cocktail travelers can imagine. As the last car on the train, the convivial lounge has an open-air observation deck attached at the back—an ideal space to toast your fellow passengers while taking in an African sunset.
