The scent of champagne and memories once filled the air at St.-Anna-Platz in Munich, within the intimate confines of Salon Moët & Chandon. This Belle Époque-style bar, a dream brought to life by Oscar winner Rolf Zehetbauer for ‘Champagne Ambassador’ Henri François-Poncet, was recently forced to close its doors due to lease termination. But what seemed like an ending for a beloved eccentric Munich establishment is, in fact, the prelude to a new chapter, 2000 kilometers away on Spain’s Costa Dorada, thanks to the visionary spirit of music producer Ralph Siegel.
A Munich Icon Finds a New Home
“I am certainly not a drunkard!” Ralph Siegel declared to the Abendzeitung, a hint of playful sarcasm in his voice. This statement came after initial reports suggested he had ‘bought out almost an entire bar.’ Siegel quickly clarified that his purchases were not about the champagne itself, but about preserving the soul of the Salon Moët & Chandon.
Initially, Siegel acquired decorative bottles, candlesticks, and small tables from Alexander Lutz, the owner of Gandl restaurant who operated the Salon. “Essentially everything, just no alcohol, as the impression in the AZ might have suggested,” Siegel explained, dispelling any misconceptions about his intentions.
From Fixed Fixtures to Spanish Dreams
The true challenge, however, lay in the Salon’s more permanent features: the bar itself, the magnificent chandelier, the intricately carved Art Nouveau elements, and the plush red velvet corner benches. These were built-in fixtures, technically belonging to the property owner and initially not for sale, destined for demolition. Yet, Siegel’s determination prevailed.
“I called the lady, and after a cordial conversation, I was able to purchase the Art Nouveau bar itself, the large ceiling chandelier, the carved Art Nouveau elements, and the red velvet corner benches,” Siegel proudly announced. This acquisition marks a significant step towards realizing his ambitious plan.
The Journey to the Costa Dorada
As early as Thursday, Siegel dispatched his specialist craftsmen to inspect how to carefully detach the wall paneling and painted wall mirrors from their embedded positions. “On June 6th, the truck will arrive and transport everything to Spain,” Siegel revealed, detailing the meticulous logistics involved. His restaurant, “Meson Bahía – Restaurant Musical by Mister Eurovision Ralph Siegel,” located in Mont-roig Bahia, about an hour and a half drive from Barcelona, is where this Munich treasure is destined to be reborn.
A Vision Realized: “My Dream Idea”
Siegel recounted his serendipitous discovery: “When I saw the Salon Moët & Chandon in the Abendzeitung and it said it was coming to an end, I thought: Wow, I had just sketched out exactly such a bar on paper because I want it for my restaurant in Spain. And now it suddenly stands before me in reality!” This moment of recognition solidified his resolve to save the bar.
“Now I just need the luck that everything can be removed undamaged and brought to Spain,” he added, highlighting the delicate nature of the relocation. If all goes according to plan, his Spanish restaurant will boast a unique bar by June – a direct import from Munich, where an eccentric place was lost, only to be resurrected 2000 kilometers away, fueled by Ralph Siegel’s “wonderful champagne mood.”
“You have to realize your dreams quickly, otherwise you’ll only regret it,” Siegel philosophized, encapsulating the essence of his bold endeavor. The Salon Moët & Chandon, once a vibrant part of Munich’s cultural landscape, is now set to become a testament to the enduring power of dreams and the art of preservation, promising to enchant new patrons on the sunny shores of the Costa Dorada.
Source: https://www.abendzeitung-muenchen.de/promis/ralph-siegel-kauft-auch-die-bar-exzentrischer-muenchner-ort-soll-in-spanien-wieder-erstehen-art-1127312
