in the spotlight
Drawn to the bar by Virginia Miller
Drink and art feel like destined companions in bar form. At the best bars, art lovers can contemplate a piece of art with drink in hand, while novices soak up the atmosphere or even get hooked, often on local artists. Some of these bars are cocktail destinations, others are low-key spots where you can grab a beer, glass of wine or basic cocktail while immersed in everything from urban art to historic murals. Here are 10 unique art bars, from Israel to Indonesia
scarfesbar.com Housed inside the Rosewood London hotel and sporting the tagline, ‘Where Paintings and Potions Meet’, Scarfes Bar has been a London bar destination since 2014. Lined with art from British artist and caricaturist Gerald Scarfe, Scarfes feels like it has been there a century, aided by marble walls, a roaring fireplace and live jazz. But it’s as eccentric as it is elegant, thanks to humorous paintings and whimsical menu books, like the recent 18-drink cocktail menu based on the Enneagram personality test, with two drinks representing the two extremes of each personality type.
Palette, San Francisco palette-sf.com Palette’s large space is a dining destination and art gallery, centred around chef Peter J Hemsley and team’s artful-yet-playful food (think broccoli kimchi dip scooped up with beef tendon chicharrones). In late spring 2021, they opened their art gallery/cocktail lounge. The striking, lofty space is marked by velvet couches and chairs, and decor
60 - The Cocktail Lovers
that’s tailored to the changing exhibits from local artists. Bar Manager Trevin Hutchins’ cocktails are thoughtful, often inspired by rare classics, and also delicious. Case in point: the Alvear, inspired by 1965 cocktail A.M.B.A. 65, a combination of Laphroaig 10-year-old scotch whisky, Rhum JM VO rum, sweet vermouth and Clément coconut. Bonus points: the extensive absinthe collection, absinthe fountain and absinthe cocktails (like the Absinthe Frappé).
“At the best art bars, art lovers can contemplate a piece of art with drink in hand, while novices soak up the atmosphere or even get hooked, often on local artists”
TOP: The Whiskey Library at The Vagabonf Club; RIGHT: Madrone Art Bar
Scarfes Bar, London
