Ever Drink in a Laundromat? Bars in the Weirdest Places
By AFAR contributors
There’s nothing finer than a good cocktail, a glass of wine, or a craft beer. But the experience becomes unforgettable when you order that drink from an unusual place – a bookstore, a laundromat, or someplace even stranger…
Buza Bar
Dubrovnik, Croatia
(Courtesy: AFAR)
There’s no denying that Dubrovnik is a gem of a city – lots of things to do and see. But if you go any time starting in May, it can also be sweltering hot.
From the Stradun, find your way to Café Bar Buža (www.cafebuza.com). It’s tucked away on a quiet side street and not easy to spot, so ask for directions. This tiny, unassuming eatery has a stone terrace that fronts the sea. There are steps that lead down to the water, or if you prefer, you can just jump off the lower rocks. There are a few areas where you can lay down your towel and catch some rays, or sit under the shade.
The café serves snacks and overpriced drinks, but it’s worth it for the experience. Linger as long as you can or come back just before dusk to catch the setting sun.
Sunnegga
Zermatt, Switzerland
(Courtesy: AFAR)
This champagne bar looks like a mirage as you’re coming down the last stretch of the narrow Sunnega run back into Zermatt. It’s one of my favorite après ski spots, and the place where the local ski instructors gather at day’s end. The Cuban-born bartender is always playing great tunes, from Bob Marley to Jack Johnson. Skiers stay warm thanks to heat lamps and fur blankets, and of course, multiple glasses of Veuve Cliquot or glühwein.
Related: A Toast to the Finest Beer Bars in the World
Recyclart
Brussels, Belgium
(Courtesy: AFAR)
Recyclart is an collective space that partially inhabits the abandoned subway station at Gare Bruxelles-Chapelle. It’s a fun place to check out underground art and the group also runs a fun bar and restaurant, and organizes concerts.
Brouwerij ‘t IJ
Amsterdam, Netherlands
(Courtesy: AFAR)
Unexpected surprises abound in Amsterdam. On the city’s east side, you’ll find one denoted by a tall windmill: Brouwerij ‘t IJ (the IJ Brewery), a small brewery and pub situated in the former Funen bathhouse, next to the De Gooyer windmill. Opened in 1985 by former musician Kaspar Peterson, Brouweij ‘t Ij prides itself on a large selection of unfiltered, non-pasteurized beers and seasonal offerings. All are certified organic and made on the premises.
Belly up to the bar next to the big mill and order your beer from a chilled tank. Follow the scent of hops onto the large outdoor terrace, where you can enjoy your brew with an order of peanuts, boiled eggs, abbey-made cheese, salami, ossenworst from Slagerij de Wit or Skeapsrond cheese from Dikhoeve Farm. The adjacent pub serves more substantial meals, as well as drinks and snacks. In addition to beer, Brouwerij ‘t Ij’s menu includes wine and non-alcoholic beverages. Guided tours are offered on weekends.
Spotty Dog Books & Ale
Hudson, N.Y.
(Courtesy: AFAR)
This spot in trendy Hudson, N.Y., is awesome for a ton of reasons. First off, the space served as Hudson’s firehouse from 1889 to 2002, and has a gorgeous decorative ceiling. Now, it’s a bookstore that has over 10,000 titles on its shelves—and a rotating selection of craft beers on tap. Yup, this bookstore is also a bar.
Related: The World’s Highest Bars: Why Cocktails Are Better in the Clouds
Wasbar
Ghent, Belgium
(Courtesy: AFAR)
I was strolling the streets of Ghent with a friend on a dreary, misty Tuesday when we spotted the hip-looking Wasbar and wondered aloud why, exactly, there were Electrolux logos on the window of some trendy café.
And then, it hit us. “WE CAN DO LAUNDRY TODAY!” Our faces lit up, we went in for a coffee to scope out the place: along the walls of this design-centric coffee shop and bar were washers (with names!) and detergent for use along the back wall. Service was impeccable, and it’s a must for any weary traveler with a sackful of dirty clothes and a penchant for the café scene.
Related: Paradise Awaits—11 Reasons to Visit the British Virgin Islands
Willy T
Norman Island, British Virgin Islands
(Photo: Jim Sorbie/Flickr)
The BVI is all about fun, and you can have the most fun on a boat. If you visit, go to Willy T, a floating bar housed on a boat anchored in Norman Island’s Bight. Zeus, the bartender, really gets the crowd riled up with rum drinks. Back in the day it wasn’t unusual to see people jumping naked off the stern of the boat. On Jost van Dyke island, the Soggy Dollar and Foxy’s are musts on any bar crawl. Both are touristy but still have a fun vibe and great people-watching.
Jicoo Floating Bar
Tokyo, Japan
(Courtesy: AFAR)
Want to spend a night out in the future? No problem, the Jicoo Floating Bar is your time-machine ticket there. Open for business every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night, Jicoo (which is a cute Romanization of the Japanese word “jiku,” meaning “space-time”) can be found on Tokyo Bay between Hinode Pier near Hamamatsucho Station and Odaiba aboard a sleek, ultra-modern maritime starship that wouldn’t look out of place in a sci-fi space opera anime.
Admission of 2,600 yen ($22) grants you boarding privileges at either the Hinode or Odaiba piers for as long the bar is in motion—with beer, wine, and cocktails available on board for an average of 800 yen a pop. The boat also features a dance floor complete with DJs spinning a variety of genres ranging from ambient to deep house, and there are even live shows scheduled periodically on Fridays and Saturdays. The star of the show, of course, is the spectacular view of Tokyo Bay and the Rainbow Bridge, which you’ll pass under several times as you soak up the spirits and cut a rug or two atop the waves.
More from AFAR:
Favorite Cocktails with a View
Where to Eat in New York - Pizza and Cheap Eats
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