Ritz Carlton Bar

(Last updated: October 10, 2026)

On the heels of the disaster that was the live music at the St. Regis, I made the long walk across the Cotai Strip to check out the band at the Ritz-Carlton Bar and Lounge. With expectations pretty much in the gutter after the fiasco I just witnessed, the scene at the Ritz lifted my spirits 1000%. Without question, everything is better at the Ritz compared to the St Regis: they boast the better band, better singer, better crowd, better service and better prices.

The singer in particular was very impressive, demonstrating outstanding range and control, as she belted out a slew of pop numbers slightly jazzed up by his strong driving omnipresent organ.

The crowd sitting closest to the bar were far more engaged than the St. Regis statues glued to their phones or plates, although it still wasn’t exactly 100% involvement, perhaps just 50%. Still though, we seemed close to getting an improvised dance floor going and quite a few people were swaying and jiving away to the beat in their chairs. Beer prices were totally acceptable for the posh high class venue, just $78 after tax, while the snack platter was a generous give of almonds, peanuts, and dried seafood.

One criticism I do have is that play a dog’s breakfast of tunes. Of course it makes total sense, that you’d want to appeal to a broad range of people since you have no idea who’s going to be there that night, but still. For every song played that I knew and liked, they had two others I could have done without, but it’s sort of unfair to expect anything else.

Just sit back, enjoy the ambience and the singer’s voice, and be glad you’re at the Ritz instead of the St. Regis.

As of August 2024, the Ritz Carlton Bar and Lounge has live music four nights a week: on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 pm to 12:45 am, and 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays .

**UPDATE**

I’ve been back to the Ritz-Carlton a few times for band nights and have seen audience participation and interest down to as low as 10 or 20 percent. Tourists appear to be the main clientele and it’s just impossible to know which night is going to be fire and which night is going to be saturated with stiffs.

I was fortunate to have seen another sensational singer, the brilliant Betchy Barros, who frequently takes part in various concerts and shows around town, including the 2025 Macau Jazz Festival, set to take place next April.

If you ever see her scheduled to perform somewhere, definitely check her out.

The Ritz also dabbles in the same sort of pedestrian piano music that puts people to sleep at the St. Regis.  I could not have been less enthused about this dry duo that sang lullabies in May 2024, with the manager even admitting they were lame AF.

Fortunately he did say they were close to bringing the old crew back, something that should have happened last week. 

In Macau, live music all comes down to who’s playing and whether you’re a fan of what they’re doing or not. Beyond that, not much else really matters. 

**UPDATE**

Not great at the Ritz these days.  The previous Indonesian pianist was excellent and one of the main reasons to stop by for a drink. The current duo performing in October 2026 never really get going. The singer has plenty of power and range, but spends most of her much time at the very top of her register. More than once I found myself wondering how the windows were still intact. The pianist occasionally takes over on vocals, but her pronunciation can be a little distracting.

On a recent Saturday night the lounge was almost empty. After hearing the performance, I think I know why.

Bring back the old crew!

Please!