Top 10 bars inspired by books
“There’s no friend as loyal as a book,” Ernest Hemingway once famously said. And in our fast-paced, always-on age, can there be a bigger indulgence than unplugging and escaping from it all with nothing but a good book for company?
The Lockheart, Toronto, was inspired by the Harry Potter seriesWhile Team SB is convinced nothing can compare, a close second would be kicking back in a literary-themed bar, delicious cocktail in hand. But where are the best spots to literally step inside one of those fictional worlds?
Whether it’s the setting for a book club, literary critique, or simply the backdrop for a great night out, click through the following pages to discover our top 10 bars inspired by books around the world.
Think we’ve missed out a classic? Let us know in the comments below.
The Shire – The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien
Michael Collins Place, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland
A must-visit for Lord of the Rings fans, stepping into The Shire is an immediate transportation to Middle Earth. Within the building you’ll find the Prancing Pony, home of signature house cocktail Hobbit Juice, as well as a selection of Shire Gin & Tonics – each dressed with a different fruit or vegetable. No orcs here, only friendly, hobbits with the warmest of welcomes.
The Lockheart – The Harry Potter series, JK Rowling
1479 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Canada
Calling all Defence Against the Dark Arts students – you officially have a new classroom. Designed to look like an apothecary, The Lockheart is named after Gilderoy Lockheart, the third-named teacher of the jinxed subject, and opened in September 2015 serving “potions” instead of cocktails. SB advises pausing Patronus practice, downing wands and sipping a Befuddlement Draft or a Shacklebolt instead.
Alice – Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
47, Dosandaero 55-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Don’t be afraid to follow the white rabbit down the rabbit hole – you could end up at this delightful, Alice in Wonderland-inspired bar where cocktails are curiouser and curiouser, and the backdrop simply enchanting. SB loves the mystically-smoking serves and the perfectionist presentation – like heroine Alice, you just can’t help but get swept away.
Mr Fogg’s Tavern – Around the World in Eighty Days, Jules Verne
58 St. Martin’s Lane, London
Step not just back in time, but into the imagination of Jules Verne at this quintessentially quirky wood-panelled, old-style tavern themed around fictional explorer Phileus Fogg. Head upstairs to the Gin Parlour, which boasts a 300-strong gin collection, or revel in the Mother’s Ruin gin cocktails on the ground floor. No adventurous spirit needed – but a sense of decadence is likely to be instilled into those sampling Aunt Gertrude’s Tipsy Tea.
Onegin – Eugene Onegin, Alexander Pushkin
One for the more highbrow imbiber, this opulent Russian bar and restaurant takes inspiration from Onegin, the novel written in verse by Alexander Pushkin. Dine like a Tzar in surroundings inspired by the bittersweet story of the venue’s namesake jaded yet dashing aristocrat set against a lavish St. Petersburg backdrop. In addition to the elegant cuisine, don’t miss the elegant cocktail list which includes fitting serves such as White Nights and Black Sea Caprinia.
L’Orange Mécanique – A Clockwork Orange, Anthony Burgess
For something more hedonistic, head over to L’Orange Mécanique, a dive bar dedicated to both 60s/70s rock and film. From its DJ sets to movie nights (the décor pays homage to Stanley Kubrick’s big screen adaptation of Burgess’ dystopian novel), let yur hair down with a classic cocktail or sample the absinthe selection. While the bar once rewarded those dressed as Droogies with an all-night happy hour, this is now only runs from 6-8pm. Still, if you’re planning a trip into the dystopian, arrive early – word’s out that this bar offers top value drinks with the best vibe in town.
Bar Gatsby – The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
488 Dagu Lu, near Shimen Yi Lu, Jingan district, Shanghai
A 1920s bolt hole in the hubbub of central Shanghai, Bar Gatsby offers well-priced cocktails spanning smashes and fizzes, all crafted with fresh ingredients. Not strictly of its era, the bar features both a pool and fooseball table – ideal for evenings when dancing doesn’t quite appeal.
The Belljar Cafe/Bar – The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath
2072 Dundas West, Toronto
A true cultural hub, The Balljar Cafe/Bar hosts regular poetry nights, musical evenings, photography exhibitions and literary salons – all with classic cocktails, craft beers and coffee. What’s not to love? One reviewer called The Belljar a “culture nurturing ground” – SB is inclined to agree, and it seems like a most fitting spot to have taken inspiration from Plath’s only novel.
The Fable Bar & Restaurant – Aesop’s Fables, Aesop
52 Holborn Viaduct, London
Inspired by the fantasy and allure of both fairy stories and the tales of Aesop, The Fable offers a seasonal selection of cocktails alongside a line of classic serves. The venue itself is enchanting: think floral walls, quirky objects and charming touches. The devil is in the detail, whether its book-lined booths within which to cocoon guests, or lavender sprigs delicately placed on napkins. A hub of whimsy in the heart of London.
Ulysses’ Folk House – Ulysses, James Joyce
95 Pearl Street, New York
Located in the hear of New York’s financial district, Ulysses’ Folk House is named after and takes inspiration from James Joyce’s novel of the same name. Founded by a group of private investors and restaurateurs from Ireland and Greece, the restaurant and bar opened on 16 June 2003 – Bloomsday, the day in which the novel is set, and is celebrated as a holiday in a number of countries around the world. The Irish and Greek-themed establishment stays open late and offers a number of themed cocktail options, including the Joyce’s Jewell and Bloom’s Basil.
