Mr Wow’s Emporium is a bar with balls. Bottles of premium spirits, malts and house-made bitters stand proudly behind a curvaceous counter. Dusk lighting falls on brick walls and a polished concrete floor. But it’s the boules that will catch your eye. Yes, two lanes of indoor bocce, and a billiards table – bar brilliance.
There’s a boules competition every Wednesday, complete with sweet beats and liquid treats. There’s often free popcorn floating around, so grab a bowl and line your stomach (just beware, the saltiness will have you shelling out for a few extra thirst quenchers). After a few solid drinks, the Melbourne road map plastered across the wall may be surprisingly helpful.
Tucked away in a former gallery on one of the oldest roads in Hong Kong, this chilled-out spot channels a Japanese vibe. Bar Ozu, with its plush couches, high ceilings and walls splashed with arty graffiti, manages to be both cool and unpretentious.
There’s an extensive list of Japanese whiskies, beers, signature cocktails and sakes – those unfamiliar with the fermented rice beverage can even try a flight of three samples. If you’re feeling adventurous, say kanpai with a Pasabi, the bar’s wasabi-infused cocktail. Laid-back reggae and hip-hop accompany the conversation rather than overpowering it, leaving you to enjoy some good company and delicious drinks.
We really dig bars that promote eco-living, not to mention discourage drink driving. Handlebar does just that with its cosy homage to the humble pushbike. Gold-painted retro bikes hang from the walls, and the furniture is vintage kitsch. Grab a beer or whisky and lounge on one of the patio chairs, or throw down a bowl of homemade meatballs and take in the sights and sounds of the vibrant Kensington Market. When the live music cranks up, head back inside and boogie the night away. Note: the bikes are bolted down so you’ll need to find an alternative ride home.
Seeking a fix the doctor can’t prescribe? The Keefer Bar knows a cocktail mix sure to cure what ails you. This apothecary-themed watering hole aims to soothe your soul and quench your thirsty condition. Award-winning bartender Danielle Tatarin takes a fresh approach to proceedings, sourcing ingredients from local markets and nearby herbalists to make the bitters, syrups and teas used in her unique creations.
Sip on a punchy Thai Pisco Sour or, if you’re feeling daring, down a Bowen Island Iced Tea – as well as vodka, lime and honey syrup, it also contains seahorse tincture. Asian-inspired small plates, including Peking duck sliders and shrimp miso shiitake tacos, are also on the menu.
There’s no better view in Rio than at The Maze Inn, and we’re not
just talking about the over-balcony vistas. The bar and inn is a hit with Hollywood celebrities, including Sylvester Stallone and Edward Norton (Snoop Dogg was also a guest), providing plenty of star-spotting opportunities.
Nestled among the alleys of Tavares Bastos, Rio’s first favela guesthouse is also a world-class jazz venue, with a terrace boasting incredible views of Sugarloaf Mountain, the city and Guanabara Bay.
The first Friday of every month is party time, attracting talent and crowds from all over the world, so keep your celebrity radar finely tuned – you might find yourself rubbing shoulders with a screen legend letting their hair down during a break in filming. Plonk yourself on the terrace with a caipirinha while a saxophone tootles in the background and watch the cable cars weave their way up Sugarloaf like fireflies.
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