81 Sanlitun North Street, 3/F Nali Patio,Sanlitun
三里屯北路81号那里花园3层,三里屯
This high-end bar serves some of the best cocktails in town, including drinks made from their own infusions. Service is excellent and the drinks are notoriously delicious while the low-key decor offers a relaxing vibe. Sit at the bar and watch the cocktail making magic occur or hunker down at a table with friends. Get there early, though, as this place fills up fast.
Just an update . . . I finally made it to the bar last night; the drinks were outstanding and a well-deserved break from my usual Tsingtao's. Would highly rec.
I have read many reviews of this bar, and I was definitely excited to check it out, however, given that it is a popular bar, I decided to call ahead to see if I could get a table held in advanced. I am not sure if the bar does indeed take reservations because no one answered the phone. I must've called the place at least a dozen times, but no one picked up. I decided not to go, as I did not want to wait in the cold if the place was mobbed.
Was told that all the earlier reviews got lost for some reason. Mysterious. Anyhow, my review (or part of it) was quoted on Beijing Boyce, so here it is again: When this place first opened I loved it. However, the spiraling sense of self-importance has morphed it into something insufferable. Its like the bar equivalent of a pompous guy who has a couple of drinks and talks nonstop about his lifetime of accomplishments. Conceptually, a bar that treats mixology with such reverence is great… but in practice its just obnoxious. The drinks are lovingly created… sure… too bad they take about 20 minutes apiece to be hand-crafted and arrive, even when the place is empty. And what in God’s name is the “must be seated at all times” policy? I stood at the bar to talk to a friend (since you’re all lined up in a row and can’t practically speak to anyone beyond the person to your immediate left and right) and was chided by the manager, and told they have a policy that requires patrons to be seated at all times. Are you kidding? Is this place a bar or a kindergarten? Will I get my knuckles rapped if I talk with my mouth full? Maybe a bouncer will toss me if I smack my gum? Seriously… its just silly.
Score. Apothecary just never fails to deliver. Last night sampled the bazillionaire and the rock n rye. Both amazing, especially the rock n rye. I always ask the bar men for recommendations because that hundred page menu is too complicated for me and I am never disappointed. Winter is coming. I'm spending it at Apothecary.