This 3-floor restaurant-bar hybrid on Lange Gasse in the 8th is a gastronomy baby by the same family that gave birth to the trendy Chinese hot pot spot, Mama Liu & Sons. The Birdyard Eatery & Bar features two floors that are all about eating and enjoying great food art. And while starting your evening with these small plated treats for the eyes and tastebuds is not a bad idea, you won’t understand the hype around this place until you go downstairs. Going down the dark staircase leading to the bar is like venturing into a dream, or a place in your subconscious where colourful giant birds leer down at you from everywhere. And don’t go thinking that’s just beautiful wallpaper – no, no, no – that’s a real painting, by Romanian artist Saddo, who spent 45 days working on it. For some reason, we feel like we’re in a pop song while sitting at the bar, watching the craft cocktail crew behind it whipping up their original creations.
The drinks on the menu go beyond your standard (while you can, of course, order all the cocktail bar classics, as well) with plenty or original house creations, like “Senses”, a vodka drink involving chili-apricot jam, pear, lime and piment, or the “San Andres” made with fresh Rucola, tabasco, passion fruit, raspberry and dark rum. Every guest is also treated with a special welcome shot and some homemade nuts (peanuts roasted with sugar and salt) to ease you into the night. There’s seating, or you can perch yourself up at one of the high stools and tables, but make sure to reserve your seats a few days in advance if you want to come by on the weekend – there’s no standing in the second row here. If the bar is full, it’s full. This is a place for cocktail connoisseurs and baby boozers, alike. Or those simply seeking a bar that feels like it’s out of some uptown slickster neighbourhood of New York.
