Hottest bar openings in January 2016
A drinking den inspired by France’s iconic queen Marie Antoinette, an adult-themed speakeasy and a medicinal mixology project all launched last month.
A diverse array of bars opened around the world last monthA late night breakfast-themed bar offers spiked cereal milk cocktails in Hollywood, while across the globe London welcomes a new cocktail menu programme designed to entice both “health conscience and naysayers” alike at a new basement bar.
Meanwhile Omaha welcomes it’s “first” speakeasy, and New York sees a new drinking den inspired by the private entertaining chateau of France’s most decadent queen, Marie Antoinette.
Click through the following pages to discover some of the hottest bars to open around the world in January 2016.
CTC Brick Lane, London
The latest project by Cocktail Trading Company founders Andy Mil, Olly Brading and Elliot Ball, CTC Brick lane offers a 400-strong back bar with a focus on unusual and rare spirits from around the world. Described as “the antithesis to many of London’s overpriced cocktails bars”, the venue boasts a variety of eccentric cocktails including APairOTeef, a Pisco and cardamom-pear infusion featuring white balsamic and sparkling wine, presented as a water glass “holding nan’s choppers”; Handy Nightcap, featuring Bourbon, cold-drip coffee, sweet vermouth, Chartreuse and Terry’s Chocolate Orange Bitters; and Rum Forrest Rum, a combination of aged Colombian rum, chinotto wine and tobacco & rose essence, served as a giant purple sweet.
Le Boudoir, New York
This drinking den is inspired by the private entertaining chateau of France’s most decadent queen, Marie Antoinette. Hidden behind a false bookcase, Le Boudoir was designed by upstairs restaurant Chez Moi, and is decked out with gilded mirrors and velvet banquettes, while cocktails are served in silver-plated goblets and crystal d’arcques glassware. Relics of the Queen can be found dotted around the bar, including, most notably, a doorknob allegedly taken from Antoinette’s bedroom, while the bathrooms are said to be exact replicas of the Queen’s original private powder room. Beverage director, Franky Marshall, has curated a French-inspired cocktail menu, featuring names that pay homage to Antoinette – including The Guillotine, a smokey combination of mezcal, Scotch whisky, banana and honey; and Dauphin, made from absinthe, chili liqueur, almond milk, coconut and cacao nibs.
Nighthawk, Hollywood
Touting mouth-watering egg-centric dishes specifically designed to pair well with cocktails, this late night breakfast-themed bar tucked away just off Hollywood Blvd. has secured a spot as the area’s hottest new hangout. Whether it’s Bourbon french toast, mescal-laden coffee or spiked cereal milk cocktails, there’s a whole host of boozy breakfast combinations up for grabs. In-keeping with the theme, guests will be given a complimentary newspaper and a cup of coffee as soon as they’re seated. If nothing on the menu appeals, the venue also offers a full bar – so guests can sip on a Sazerac if they so wish.
MasalaBar, Mumbai
Intended as a “mixological exploration”, MasalaBar aims to create drinks under the premise of a “science lab and bar”, serving 12 signature cocktails with carefully-paired tapas as an experience “for all senses”. The brainchild of restauranteur Zorawar Kalra, the bar offers a 270-degree panoramic view of the Arabian Sea, and is lit only by organic, locally sourced beeswax candles. Awash with what Kalra calls ‘post molecular’ techniques, the menu frequently requests the use of rotary evaporators, a centrifugal machine, and other high-tech equipment. Each cocktail is served with a hand-drawn docket explaining the idea behind the drink.
Green Bar Botanicals & Tonics at Cafe Royal, London
Inspired by the Café Royal Cocktail Book compiled in 1937, this distinctive new gin bar celebrates London’s history of using botanicals in gin production and mixology and the various styles in which gin is served internationally. Green Bar’s Gin Journey menu offers a variation on the humble gin and tonic using a range of gins, tonics and garnishes from all around the world, with a particular focus on their personality and the history behind them. For the slightly more adventurous, there’s also an Absinthe Experience, where guests can sample a selection of cocktails featuring La Fée, Jade and Pernod.
Adults Only, Hollywood
Hidden away behind the facade of an ‘adults only’ section of a video store, this Hollywood speakeasy is surprisingly sleek; high ceilings with stained glass windows and cult vintage film posters adorning the walls. Craft cocktails include the Rusty Trombone, made with Altos tequila, lime, basil and white pepper grapefruit syrup; the Dirty Sanchez, made with mezcal, serrano chilies, lime, cucumber, agave and cilantro; and Grounds For Divorce made with Woodford Reserve bourbon, lemon, apple spice elixir, yuzu bitters and mint. There’s also a house shot – elegantly named the Money Shot – which consists of a cold beer and a shot of Fernet Branca.
Behind This Wall, London
Self-styled purveyors of medicinal drinking, Behind This Wall, launched a menu programme to entice the “health conscience and naysayers” alike at their new basement bar, located between Bethnal Green and Clapton. Developed by head bartender Alex Harris, the menu continues its focus on the ‘medicinal mixology’ concept, working with small-batch distillers and producers to curate a cocktail list devoid of artificial additives, colours or flavours, high fructose corn syrup and unnecessary sugar. The menu plays on old cocktail recipes, “honouring the formulas”, with a tweak to the ingredients to match the Behind This Wall philosophy. As well as the cocktails, the team offers a seasonal wine list, revolving craft beers and ciders, and a ‘raw bar’ food menu.
Wicked Rabbit, Omaha
Marketed as “Omaha’s first speakeasy”, you’ll find hotel bar Wicked Rabbit nestled inside the city’s Hotel Deco. To get in, guests walk into the Through the Looking Glass liquor and cigar shop, where they’re met by a host that opens a faux book case door to reveal an intimate 23-seat lounge. Currently the menu consists of classics, but they’ll be debuting a list of original cocktails shortly.
Swan On A Hot Gin Roof by Sipsmith, London
Named in relation to the gin brand’s famous swan logo, this pop-up bar will remain open until 20 February serving a list of “historically inspired” hot gin cocktails created by Sipsmith master distiller Jared Brown and Ham Yard Hotel bar manager Eoin Kenny’s. The pair have taken inspiration from as early as the 16th century all the way through to the 1920s in order to deliver a “very modern sipping menu”. Cocktails include The Smoking Bishop, said to have been a favourite of Charles Dickens; and The Original, a pairing of gin and gingerbread.
