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Arguably the most exciting period of the 20th century, the Roaring Twenties are a time everyone loves returning to. Unfortunately, between the fun jazz music and the lavish fashion, this decade was also marked by Prohibition. As forbidden fruit is always the sweetest, despite the apparent limitations implied by the law (or because of them), Prohibition has prompted the bar scene to find new, creative solutions. Enter the era of illicit speakeasies and notorious bootleggers, which have forever changed the drinks industry.
The 20s saw the enormous bloom of hidden bars where the outlawed alcohol was illegally sold. The speakeasy nickname was a reference to the need for secrecy, as the customers were asked to keep things quiet to avoid outside detection. Ranging from modest basement establishments to glamorous nightclubs, these improvised bars were the beating heart of social life at the time. New York's famous Cotton Club is a shining example of the golden era of jazz bands and dancing.
While the original speakeasies as such are long gone, the culture lives on. Today's neo-speakeasies are bringing back a modern take on the glamour and the intrigue of the Roaring Twenties. So if you're fond of spots such as San Francisco's Bourbon & Branch or London's Purl, you can now get a similar taste of the past at the newly opened cocktail bar Apotheca in Rijeka.
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Inspired by the Past & Driven by the Future
Apotheca Bar is one of the few vintage-inspired bars in Croatia that feels straight out of the 1920s. The concept creator is an expert mixologist Dorijan Skoblar, who decided to transform an old pharmacy into a new, unique world for its guests, and he did it for a couple of reasons.
The first one becomes quite evident when you step into the bar. You'll immediately be drawn into the atmosphere of an authentic speakeasy spot. The interior oozes elegance with prevalent dark brown and amber colors, and you cannot miss the enormous old-school pharmacy shelf with a neat little ladder leaning against it. If you look a bit more closely, you'll notice the incredible attention to detail in every corner of this place, with hats, gramophone records, and the legendary Al Capone frowning at you from the wall. Dorijan also mentioned how some people walk in expecting to enter a real pharmacy!
The second motive looks towards a bright future: with his Head Bartender Matej Šimanić, Dorijan strives to take the cocktail scene to a new level. In the original 1920s bars, cocktails were invented out of necessity - because the base alcohol was often of poor quality and had even poorer taste. In Apotheca, however, you'll get to try a variety of creative cocktails that bring out all the best of flavors and are a true reflection of the bar team's unique cocktail philosophy.
This also ties into what inspired the bar's name. There's a running joke that pharmacists are only bartenders with a better inventory. So besides paying homage to the old pharmacy, Apotheca also honors the historical role of alcohol used for medicinal purposes and the precision and science behind crafting a perfect drink.
Discover this refreshing new addition to Rijeka's nightlife, relax and have a sip of Al Capone's favorite cocktail, the Southside. Apotheca may become your next favorite spot for after-work drinks or a night out!
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