Banzarbar

You’ll find Banzarbar by heading to the end of the graffiti-lined Freemans Alley, entering the blue door of the restaurant, and asking the host to take you upstairs. There is no sign. The bar is a small, twenty-seat room on the second floor, designed as a tribute to early 20th-century Antarctic exploration. Dimly lit and paneled in olive-green wood, the space feels like a cozy basecamp or a formal seaside tavern from another era. The whole thing is illuminated by candlelight, with seafaring paintings on the walls and design motifs in a saturated blue – inspired by delftware pottery – appearing on coasters and menus. The name is a nod to BANZARE, the British Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition, and this historical theme guides the entire experience. Cocktails are inventive and theatrical, often involving aromatic elements like smoldering spices or singed leaves. The focus is on complex and sophisticated flavors rather than anything sweet or fruity. Some drinks, like the warm, apple-brandy based Fortune and Glory, are even served in a full tea set. The experience is formal and entirely seated. It begins with a complimentary welcome drink, usually a small glass of something like a grape-apple cider, followed by a brief explanation of the bar’s concept from the staff. Beyond the à la carte drinks, there is a five-course tasting menu that pairs low-ABV cocktails with small seafood plates like scallop crudo and cured Spanish mackerel. It’s a dark, quiet room, which makes it a reliable spot for dates. Given the limited seating, reservations are highly recommended.