Civil Liberties

No. 2

A brass pineapple, the global symbol of hospitality, is on the façade in lieu of a sign. But that says everything. This place isn’t fancy (parts of the floor are painted plywood, the bar is made from copper pennies, and projected films pass for wall décor), but it’s the platonic ideal of an honest neighbourhood bar. Within this bastion of no-menu, custom cocktail service, the vibe ranges from alcohol-nerd symposium to full-on party, depending on the hour. Grab a stool and take a bartender-guided tour through the amari selection with a meat-and-cheese board, or quaff a beer with Vietnamese food delivered from nearby sister restaurant Vit Beo. With distilled spirits and topnotch draft cocktails (like the ultimate Espresso Martini) from sister company Civil Pours, available here and increasingly in other bars, Civil might just be sparking its own peaceful protest against dull, ordinary drinks.