after 30 years, the mythical Stars’N’Bars tire bows out
In three decades of existence, the Stars’N’Bars had become an institution in Monaco. His boss announced that he was going to close his doors for a new project.
Celebrities from all over the world have passed through its metal doors, dined under its neon lights, in a “dinner“and cooking”Tex-Mex“. On photographs carefully preserved by Didier Rubiolo, the boss, singer, movie and sports stars smoking the poseStars’N’Bars logo proudly brandished : the guitarist Chuck Berry, the footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic or even the singers Melanie Chisholm and Victoria Beckham of the “Spice Girls”.
For 30 years, dozens of personalities have frequented this legendary bar-restaurant, under the arcades of the Quai Antoine Ier, in Monaco.
Also, when Didier Rubiolo announced the imminent closure of his establishment for a new project, he received “many posts“.
Some people got married with us, others were very regular customers… For them, the establishment is a huge symbol.
Didier Rubiolo, owner of Stars’N’Bars
“During Formula Grand Prix 1, Michael Schumacher organized gala dinners and invited his entire team“, he still remembers. The establishment was very focused on sports and automobile competitions. Evidenced by the Formula 1 offered by the Finnish racing driver Mika Häkkinen, withdrawn on one of the walls of the restaurant.
The sexagenarian even recognizes a certain “nostalgia“looking forward to closing this chapter.”It’s the end of a period, obviously.”
Didier Rubiolo, 60, founded the establishment in 1993 with his wife, Kate Powers, an American naturalized Monegasque. He remembers the first fifteen years”exceptional“.”On opening day, we received guitarist Chuck Berry. Five months later, we are doing two concerts with Prince“, he recalls.
At regular concerts and events, “the stars and the public met“. Far from a trendy bar reserved for celebrities, the couple had wished “a space of diversity, where society mixes, in all simplicity“.
Didier Rubiolo and Kate Powers had imagined this place after a trip to the United States. “In Monaco, there was no such place, American-style“, recalls the boss. From its creation, the establishment experienced its golden age. “It was the big trend. Everyone had their eyes on it“.
In 30 years, the Stars’N’Bars team has served hundreds of thousands of customers, with an average of 785 covers per day.
Retaining the name and the brand, the couple changed direction slightly fifteen years ago : stop of concerts, creation of a vegetable garden and choice of products that are more respectful of the environment.
Didier Rubiolo crosses a new hat today. His wife died in August 2021. Since then, “it’s hard to go on alone“, slips this Manosquin by birth, arrived in Monaco on leaving a hotel school, for “work on a boat“, before opening his own establishment. He mysteriously promises that “something very beautiful will open behind“.
The Stars’N’Bars will close on January 27“just after the WRC World Rally Championship“, he announces. Until then, lThe restaurant plans to organize entertainment and reintroduce dishes”nostalgia“Wicked off the menu.
A auction will also take place with “over 500 collectibles“, offered to the restaurant by celebrities, and who composed the decoration : Raphaël Nadal’s tennis racket, Formula 1 of Mika Häkkinen, pair of Alberto Tomba’s skis, Prince Albert bobsleigh II of Monaco, or Sébastien Loeb’s rally suit…
The team has two months to rehabilitate the 1,800m² and establish this “new concept“, which should open in April. It will include a catering section, but is changing its name. Didier Rubiolo promises an establishment “adapted to today’s world” and turned towards the protection of the environment.