Tucked away on the dark second floor of Amber Lodge – occupying the space of the old whiskey joint ThirtySix Bar & Co. – is a hidden oasis inspired by Zerzura, the ancient whitewashed town lost in the Sahara Desert. The bar positions itself as a speakeasy-themed bar, but in addition to being tucked away behind a dark wall, the polished interior showcasing soft, neutral hues of the desert is a far cry from the intimate, dimly-lit hidden bars of the era of Prohibition in the city.

“Zzura is trying to shatter the cliché that an underground bar style bar should be,” shares Zzura co-founder David Sit, who is also one of the co-founders of The Daily Tot and Whiskey and words. “Unlike most of the intimate, hidden bars in town where it is mostly dark, quiet and whiskey is often a highlight of the menu, here when you discover the place you will enter a welcoming and bright atmosphere where you can relax after a day’s work. Interior and colors [contrasting pops of green and orange] canapes are very decompressing, ”he shares.

The interior of the bar, showcasing elements from the Middle East, is designed by NC Design & Architecture, the same company that created the interiors of Foxglove. People can spend time at the bar, lounge in the plush seats overlooking Tai Kwun, or book one of the two VIP rooms for larger gatherings.

Familiar faces behind the bar include Tell Camellia co-owner Gagan Gurung and Princebir Singh, former head bartender of Zuma. Expect spice-infused cocktails showcasing Middle Eastern ingredients, including an easy-drinking cocktail called Kafyar ($ 120) Рmade with low ABV Kaska Finnish alcohol infused with Earl Gray tea. , mixed with kaffir lime leaf syrup and lemon juice РAround the globe ($ 120) cocktail made with Brazilian Abelha cacha̤a infused with cumin, yuzu juice and cumin syrup, served with an edible bubble filled with citrus smoke and a saffron milk punch made with rum, saffron, pineapple, cardamom, cinnamon, masala tea and clarified milk. Tetotalers can also take advantage of three alcohol-free offerings on the menu, which includes the citrus-rose Prince de Zzura, a sparkling kaffir-mango-peach Once Upon a Time in Asia, and a masala tea punch.

Saffron milk punch and around the world

Behind the bar is a shisha laboratory with two employees dedicated to the preparation of the flavors of the hookah. Those who like to smoke a sweet water pipe can settle down with a shisha in the living room.

Zzura is located on the second floor of Amber Lodge, 23 Hollywood Road, Center

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