bittersweet symphony

Lee Watson’s new bar mixes the swinging vibe of the 70s with the old world charms of apothecaries to get lonely hearts a chance for a cure

ee Watson, the legendary barfly who has conceptualized many of the country’s most beloved bars — ABV, Mandalay, and my favorite, the verdant, breezy Lanai in Antonio’s — recently opened his most unique drinking destination yet. It’s a singles bar, an unabashed throwback to the Swinging ‘70s, with a U-shaped bar designed to maximize eye-contact from all angles. Courage, in the form of a slew of designer drinks, shouldn’t be difficult to muster.

The cocktails hark back to an even earlier time, when apothecaries mixed the essential oils, tinctures, and elixirs to cure the ailments of the era. The tonics, liqueurs, and even the gin that’s experiencing a global renaissance, were all originally formulated as newfangled medicines a century and a half ago. These days, the only thing these spirits cure is melancholia due to a lonely heart. This bar’s Dr. Watson prescribes intense and aromatic mixtures that take full advantage of one of the largest collection of gins and bitters in the city. And he confidently guarantees that inside Bitters, the lovelorn shall all be healed, declaring “Walk in bitter, walk out taken!” Everyone will definitely feel better in the morning.