Nestled amidst the architectural marvels and cobbled streets of Brussels is a venue that carries an aura of enigmatic charm: La Pharmacie Anglaise. Translating to 'The English Pharmacy', this cocktail bar is a delightful paradox, offering a heady mix of the antique and the avant-garde. Drawing inspiration from its previous incarnation as an actual pharmacy, La Pharmacie Anglaise offers patrons a tantalizing taste of alchemical brilliance.
From the outside, La Pharmacie Anglaise exudes a timeless elegance. Its ornate wooden facade and grandiose entrance are reminiscent of a 19th-century apothecary shop. The interiors stay loyal to this theme. Antique wooden cabinets, filled with vintage bottles, old medicine jars, and faded labels, line the walls. The soft glow of Edison bulbs illuminates the dark wooden interiors, casting an amber sheen over patrons and creating an intimate ambiance.
Continuing with the pharmaceutical theme, the cocktail menu at La Pharmacie Anglaise is presented as a vintage medical journal. Each cocktail is curated with an emphasis on healing and rejuvenation, akin to the elixirs and tonics of olden days.
Using a combination of age-old recipes and contemporary techniques, the mixologists here craft concoctions that are as therapeutic as they are delicious. Fresh herbs, aromatic bitters, and rare spirits blend seamlessly to offer a drinking experience that is both familiar and novel.
La Pharmacie Anglaise's bartenders, donning vintage apothecary outfits, are more alchemists than mere drink mixers. They use a blend of traditional and modern techniques, from slow infusions to nitrogen freezing, ensuring that each drink is a masterpiece. Watching them work is like witnessing a magical ritual, where every stir, shake, and pour is done with precision and flair.
To accompany the exquisite drink offerings, La Pharmacie Anglaise serves an array of gourmet snacks and charcuterie boards. Whether it's Belgian cheeses, cured meats, or fresh olives, each bite is designed to enhance the cocktail experience.
The auditory backdrop is carefully chosen to enhance the venue's theme. Soft classical music, jazz tunes, or ambient sounds play in the background, further enveloping patrons in a bygone era's embrace.
In the bustling heart of Brussels, La Pharmacie Anglaise stands as a testament to the art of timeless mixology. It's a place where history meets modernity, and where each drink serves as a liquid narrative of the past, with a twist of the present. For those looking to journey back in time and experience the magic of old-world charm, La Pharmacie Anglaise is the perfect potion.