Hottest bar openings in February 2016
The US dominated our selection of last month’s hottest bar openings, welcoming a tiki paradise, a Parisian-style cocktail den and a casual neighbourhood hangout amongst others.
A diverse array of bars opened around the world last monthA bluesy bar and restaurant gives classic cocktails a smoky new twist in London, while an Australasian-influenced brasserie introduces patrons to flavours of the Pacific with elegant serves.
Dubai appeals to young creatives with a secretive new bar in a car park, and in Cardiff a Latin American venue serves up a mix of Mexican, Brazilian, Cuban and Peruvian-inspired tipples.
Click through the following pages to discover some of the hottest bars to open around the world in February 2016.
Low, Slow & Juke, London
This bar-cum-smokehouse serves crafted cocktails with a signature smoked element along with slow-cooked barbecued meats. Expect classics with a earthy twist, to complement the punchy flavours of the food menu. The Smoked New fashioned is a standard Old Fashioned recipe with the addition of house-made cinnamon syrup and smoked with oak chips, while The Gentleman’s Tipple combines Bénédictine liqueur, a Bourbon smoke infusion, Gentleman Jack whiskey, Courvoisier Cognac and bitters. The Queen Mary reinvents the Bloody Mary, featuring black pudding purée, homemade horseradish and a fresh fennel pork scratching. Overall the vibe is blues and jazz-centric, a slice of Deep South said to be “caught somewhere between 1930s New Orleans and Bladerunner’s Los Angeles circa 2019″.
Pagan Idol, San Francisco
Brought to San Francisco by the creators of Bourbon and Branch, Devil’s Acre, Local Edition, and Rickhouse, Pagan Idol is pipped as the ultimate in tiki tipples. The bar’s two rooms offer two distinct experiences; the first of which is a seafaring adventure complete with portholes and a Kraken chandelier, while in the second you’ll find a thatched tiki hut paradise complete with infrequently smoking volcano and authentic ‘night sky; ceiling. Aesthetics aside, you’ll discover a menu of balanced, fruity drinks ranging from punch bowls to poolside sippers.
The Victor Bar, Chicago
This Parisian-style bar is named after Victor Noir, a 19th Century political journalist who lived and worked during the regime of Napoleon III. The back bar is whiskey-heavy, featuring more than 40 different brands, and the cocktail menu is the creation of Revae Schneider and Lisa Selman, of cocktail consulting business Femme du Coupe. Drinks include an Old-Fashioned named “Victor’s Variations” that can be ordered with rye, mezcal, rum or brandy; Behave Yourself comprising vodka, peach, lemon, Suze, lemon berry, and grapefruit bitters; and To The Traveller, which combines rye whiskey, lime, Velvet Falernum, passionfruit, Absinthe, Jamaican bitters, and mint.
The Hobo Club, Dubai
Describing itself simply as “members only, vinyl, signature cocktails”, The Hobo Club is an weekly underground bar located in the car park of Dubai’s Nassima Royal Hotel. The creation of UAE-based hospitality group Bulldozer; the venue has a strict no-photo press policy and is intended to appeal to Dubai’s ‘creative communities’ and ‘modern nomads’ with its secret menu of reputedly “iconic” drinks.
Dickie Fitz, London
Lipsmacking all-day dining aside, this new modern day Art-Deco brasserie boasts an exciting Australasian-influenced cocktail list. Libations are inspired by the flavours and ingredients of the Pacific, perfect for patrons who are tiring of the city’s many speakeasy-style drinking holes. Drinks include the White Geisha, made of vodka, sake, and lychee, the Tim Tam Martini, comprising vodka, espresso, and Kahlua; and Honey Badger, containing chilli vodka, passionfruit, and honey.
Bastion, Nashville
Bastion’s nondescript garage door entrance is decorated with a quote from The Neverending Story – of which Bastion, a young boy, is the lead character – that reads “never give up and good luck will find you”. This highly-anticipated “casual neighbourhood bar” by chef, restaurateur and cocktail connoisseur Josh Habiger offers a menu if frozen drinks, “punch of the day”, and craft cocktails – including the Jack of No Trades which contains vodka, rum or gin, passionfruit, wine, lime, and sparkling.
The Robin Room, Wisconsin
Launched on February 29 by well-known bartender, Chad Vogel, The Robin Room is a cosy 40-seat venue offering classic craft cocktails in elegant glassware. Think Manhattan, Sazerac, Aviation, Last Word, Rob Roy, and Blood and Sand, all made with locally-produced syrups and fruit juices. A speciality drinks menu is forthcoming, if the rumours are true.
Vivo Latino, Cardiff
This new Latin American bar and restaurant serves up a mix of Mexican, Brazilian, Cuban and Peruvian-style food and drinks. Expect Pisco Sours, varied Mojito serves and Caipirinha’s aplenty. The bar also offers a list of classics, and a selection of Signature Twists are well worth a browse. Try the Canchanchara, a classic Cuban-style cocktail said to be the Daiquiri’s predecessor; a barrel-aged Old Fashioned made fresh every week; or the Angel of Harlem, a blend of coconut rum, blackberry liquer, cranberry juice and over-proof rum.
