McRae Bar Launches Arcana & Alchemy: Twelve Stories, One City

Sydney, Australia, 11 December 2025 - Capella Sydney, recently ranked Best Hotel in Oceania and No.12 in The World’s 50 Best Hotels, continues to redefine luxury hospitality through art, history, and immersive experiences. This summer, the hotel unveils its latest innovation at McRae Bar, Arcana & Alchemy, a curated cocktail journey that blends mixology, mythology, and modern design while paying homage to George McRae, the original architect of the building that now houses Capella Sydney.

As the heart of the Capella philosophy is the curation of memorable and impactful culture and experiences, Arcana & Alchemy reflects the brand’s commitment to crafting experiences that are the hallmark of its hotels. Each Capella property is inspired by the soul of its destination, and in Sydney, this ritual brings the city’s architecture and heritage to life.

Celebrating Sydney’s architectural heritage and the timeless craft of cocktail-making, Arcana & Alchemy invites guests to partake in a ritual where taste, story, and design converge. Each cocktail in the collection is inspired by a Major Arcana archetype and paired with one of twelve of McRae’s most iconic buildings, including the Capella Sydney building itself, originally designed by McRae in the early 1900s. Through this pairing, history becomes experience, heritage becomes ritual, and architecture comes alive in every glass, exemplifying Capella’s philosophy of crafted hospitality and world-class guest experiences.

Upon arrival at McRae Bar, the journey unfolds through taste, aroma, design, and narrative. Guests draw a tarot card rather than order a drink, transforming a simple cocktail selection into a personal ritual guided by intuition and chance, facilitated by McRae Bar’s expert bartenders.

George McRae’s architecture defines the heart of Sydney, from grand civic landmarks to intricate commercial buildings. The Arcana & Alchemy cocktail experience celebrates this legacy by translating twelve of his signature works into archetypes, from The Empress at the Queen Victoria Building to The Fool at St James Station, each paired with a cocktail that embodies the spirit, story, and personality of the building it represents.

“Arcana & Alchemy is more than a cocktail menu, it is a storytelling journey,” said Samson Li, Director of Food and Beverage at Capella Sydney. “Every flavour, colour, and garnish has been carefully considered to reflect the personality of the building and its archetype. Our team has created a ritual that surprises and delights, where each drink becomes a memorable moment connecting guests with the history, craft, and soul of our city. This embodies the Capella philosophy of crafting world-class experiences that honour history, place, and community.”

“Every great idea begins with a question: how can guests feel Sydney’s history, not just see it?” said Kat Robinson, CEO of Miroma Project Factory. “Through this collaboration, we have translated architecture, story, and emotion into a ritual that engages all senses, from the tactile feel of the tarot cards to the layered flavours of the cocktails themselves.”
Beyond the physical bar, the experience extends online via a bespoke microsite, where each card is animated and accompanied by layered storytelling, elegant visuals, and subtle soundscapes. Guests can continue their journey long after their visit, marking each card drawn and unlocking the mysterious 13th card, a final symbol of discovery, completion, and connection.

The Arcana & Alchemy cocktail experience was conceived by Eleonora Biella, McRae Bar’s Assistant Bar Manager, who developed the concept and creative direction alongside her team. Brought to fruition with Miroma Project Factory, the experience celebrates local craftsmanship, design, and storytelling, transforming McRae Bar into a destination where city, mixology, and imagination converge, in line with Capella’s commitment to creating experiences that are the hallmark of its brand.

Arcana & Alchemy launches at McRae Bar on 11 December 2025. For more information and to explore the cocktail collection, view the full menu here.

For media enquiries please contact:||
Florence Rocca
Director of Marketing and Communications
Capella Sydney
florence.rocca@capellahotels.com