I'd pretty much given up hope of finding a decent cocktail in this city until I got a tip to give this place a try. Located upstairs in the Melia Innside Hotel, on a side street off of Neumarkt in the Altstadt, it's not the kind of place you'd just stumble upon. If you can manage to find it though, you'll be glad you did.
The space is small and cozy, with a surprise view of the Frauenkirche (well, the top of it at least), which makes it a great spot to settle in as the sun goes down. The decor is a little dated, but it's dark and usually busy enough that you don't notice much anyways. In some ways, it's a reflection of one of the things I like most about this city. Enjoyment of restaurants, bars, and nightlife is not solely the domain of "the beautiful people". There are so many places in larger cities where you might feel out of place if you aren't dressed a certain way or have a certain "look." Here, you can raise a glass with locals, tourists, students, young professionals, retirees, business travelers, opera patrons, those out for a hot night on the town, and everyone in between.
But what about the drinks? I haven't tried every drink in this place, but from what I've experienced, there should be something for everyone and every mood. If you've got something specific in your mind, staff will be happy to make it for you or create something based on what you're feeling like. The drinks on the menu offer something for everyone though. If you're looking to stay fairly classic, the Manhattan, Sazeroni, and Sazerac Cocktail are all solid choices. The Point of View, Greek Manhattan, Barrel-Aged Sloe Gin Negroni, and Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Cocktail are a bit lighter, but interesting enough to keep you sipping in order to figure out their exact ingredients--no cheating by looking in the menu! The Gin Basil Smash, Honey Thyme Sour, Hib & Rita and classic Cosmopolitan are all great starting points for anyone feeling less adventurous or who isn't quite sure what they are looking for in a drink. The Peche gehabt, Creme Brulee Martini, and Plums (not something I'd typically order, but perfect on a chilly fall or winter evening) are a great choice if you're regretting not having ordered dessert earlier. For a little light-hearted fun, try ordering the Belle, Book, & Candle, or Popp it! If cocktails aren't your thing, you can of course order beer or wine. There's also the nice touch of complimentary lightly infused water and wasabi peanut mix. I haven't ordered food, but I think there are some limited offerings that can be sent up from one of the restaurants in the hotel.
Just a note to those who are smoke sensitive (or smokers): around 11pm or so, smoking is allowed. It's possible that this has changed or will change, but thought I'd mention it since it's a dealbreaker for some. read more
