Weird drinking establishments all over the world
Part of going abroad is taking in the local drinking culture, whether it’s terrace cafes in France, tapas bars in Spain or German beer halls. But occasionally there’s something so mad, so weird and so brilliantly daft that you just have to go in, whether or not it’s representative. Here are some of the strangest around the world…
Bizarre bars | DM Bar
Where: Tallinn, Estonia.
Devoting a bar to a favourite band might be a cracking idea for a really, really popular artist. Perhaps a U2-themed bar in Dublin, or a Red Hot Chili Peppers pub in California? Heck, even an Acca Dacca pub in Sydney would probably go down a treat. But a bar entirely devoted to Depeche Mode in the Baltics? Erm…
Never let it be said that the owners haven’t gone the whole hog though. For the undoubted millions of Estonians who just love, um, whatever great songs Depeche Mode happened to do, there is a whole host of memorabilia strung up along the walls. This includes a picture of a distinctly non-plussed member of the band in the bar, probably more frightened than he’s ever been in his entire life.
Oh yes, and you’ll not need two guesses to work out the music policy. Non-stop Mode hits until closing time…
Bizarre bars | The Elvis Bar
Where: Glasgow Prestwick Airport, Scotland
Now an Elvis-themed bar is probably more along the right lines. After all, The King was popular across the world. But this one is odd purely because of its location. Memphis or Las Vegas would make sense, but the departure lounge of a minor Scottish airport?
But no, there it is, decked out in King paraphernalia and driving the poor bar staff crazy by playing a non-stop Best Of.
Bemused passengers sit there, waiting for their flight and wondering what the hell is going on. That is unless they take the time to read the small notice which explains that Prestwick Airport was the only place in the UK that Presley set foot in. Nothing tenuous about that, huh?
Bizarre bars | Clinic
Where: Clarke Quay, Singapore
Sometimes wildly expensive drinks are worth it purely for the comedy value, and nowhere is this more true than at Clinic. Inside an extremely extravagant indoor shopping and entertainment precinct, Clinic is a hospital theme bar. And it takes things to almost tasteless extremes.
The cocktails are presented in various innovative manners — whether it’s in a blood bag attached to a drip that you suck through a straw or test tubes, but they taste darn good.
The most fun to be had, however, is with the seats. Instead of boring old bar stool, you get hospital wheelchairs to whizz about on. Just mind you don’t bump into other patients, though.
Bizarre bars | Saddle Ranch
Where: Sunset Strip, Los Angeles
Saddle Ranch is a hugely popular but completely incongruous hotspot on LA’s hottest stretch of road. It may be surrounded by iconic clubs like the Chateau Marmont and Whiskey-A-Go-Go, as well as the joints where the Hollywood set and their beautiful companions hang out, but Saddle Ranch is unquestionably the most fun.
It has a Wild West theme, which has been done before and isn’t all that wacky, but it has one important addition.
The highlight is the bucking bronco in the corner, and it chucks off emboldened drunks throughout the night, surrounded by raucous fans and ill-wishers. Everyone thinks it’s a bad idea to start with, but after a couple of beers, can’t wait to take it on. And it almost inevitably ends with complete loss of dignity.
Bizarre bars | Green Hills Cafe
Where: Chisinau, Moldova
It’s all very well having a couple of plants in the corner of the bar to add a natural feel, but Green Hills takes things to excess. There are billowing pot plants all over the place and the entire outside of the building is painted bright green. Oh yes, and there are four trees growing in the middle of the cafe, reaching up through a fabric roof, which looks to all intents and purposes as though a giant’s mattress has been flopped on top of the walls.
Bizarre bars | Zetor
Where: Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki is a seriously hip city, and there are plenty of stylish, arty places to drinking in. But Zetor is bizarrely popular, despite pretending to be total Hicksville. Let’s face it though – who’s going to turn down the opportunity to drink a beer off a tractor?
This tongue-in-cheek joint also has candles in buckets, menus designed to look like old farmworkers’ newspapers and a rather cool vibe totally at odds with the decor.
It starts of the evening as a place to eat (try the brilliantly-named Cliché Soup – it’s smoked reindeer, cheese soup, vegetable butter and crispbread), then turns into a pumping party joint later.
Bizarre bars | Hobbit House
Where: Manila, The Philippines
Anyone who says they don’t fancy a jar or two in this one is a complete liar… the Hobbit House is staffed entirely by midgets.
Just in case your conscience is twanging at the thought of this, don’t fret, it’s not some kind of exploitative venture. The Hobbit House was set up by the little people themselves in order to give themselves work, and it’s proved incredibly popular. As well as being a somewhat smoky drinking den, it also has regular live music performances which see it packed out.
This article was originally written for Ninemsn.
Copyright David Whitley
