Pubs and Bars / Pub of the Week
Bar of the Week: Kinkajou
The rustle of curtains heralded the arrival of two new guests at Kinkajou on a recent evening, who took their seats at the bar to peruse the hefty cocktail menu.
Ably assisted by manager Mike Sharpe, a familiar face from Bristol’s cocktail bar scene who used to work here when it was Hausbar and was most recently maître d’ at Milk Thistle, the pair order from the signature cocktails selection and a few minutes later have their expertly made drinks presented in front of them.
Hausbar was Bristol’s original speakeasy and it has got a new lease of life with the arrival of Kinkajou.
is needed now More than ever
Descend the steps close to the top of Blackboy Hill, ring the doorbell and be let into a room where the long bar remains pride of place but all the fixtures and fittings are brand new.
Related to the raccoon, the kinkajou – also known as the honeybear – is a where they spend most of their time in the trees.
It’s the sociable nature and nocturnal habits of the kinkajou (a mammal related to the raccoon that lives in the tropical forests of Central and South America) that is the reason why this new bar is named after them – with their cartoon likeness etched in glass on the back bar between a splendid selection of spirits.
“Our menu is simple,” so says the menu, “to provide you with exceptional cocktails, outstanding customer service and a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy it all in.”
Once Kinkajou becomes more established, the small team here will be hosting regular tasting events and masterclasses.
For now, a seat at the bar is the sought-after location to order cocktails priced between £9.50 and £12.50, with most drinks costing around a tenner and divided into sections like rum, gin, cognac and champagne.
Mike and his team are able to make just about anything, however, provided they have got the necessary liquid, which on this visit elicited two sumptuously smoky mezcals which Mike expertly made into a classic margarita.
The most fun is in the signature cocktails, with the both bitter and sweet In The Claw an unusual coupling of Wild Turkey 81 proof bourbon and Campari, with lemon and honey. It really shouldn’t work but it most certainly does.
Another familiar face behind the bar from Hausbar days is Angel Rovira, whose own favourite drink on the signature cocktails menu is the Carpano: with Antica Formula sweet vermouth, Licor 43 from Angel’s native Spain, Martin Miller’s Westbourne dry gin and orange bitters.
As just one more drink was ordered at the bar, there are plenty more nocturnal adventures ahead at Kinkajou.
Kinkajou, 52 Upper Belgrave Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2XP
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