By: Kara Mae Adamo.
I love Alice in Wonderland.
I love the whimsy…I love the color. I love the not-so-subtle nod to fly agaric mushrooms and the impending existential crisis she goes through while very small: looking up to Absolem the caterpillar as he crushingly asks her “Who ARE you?”
I like that the whole thing could either feel like an innocent children’s dream, a transformative extended metaphor of the transition between adolescence and adulthood, or a drug-laced psychedelic trip and that, somehow, it’s actually in fact all of those things combined.
More than anything, I love that this story, which began on a boat trip in 19th century England, has permeated every generation since it’s publication in November of 1965. For over a century and a half, this magnificent nonsensical masterpiece has inspired writers, artists, actors, musicians, etc. to recreate and reimagine the ridiculous characters and their spectacular world over and over and over again.
Just last month, I attended an Alice in Wonderland themed call-to-artists at CityArts and I was simply blown away at not only the talent and creativity present, but by just how much people share my enthusiasm for this fun, bizarre little story.
So, when I found out that they were opening a brand new Alice in Wonderland-themed bar just blocks away from last month’s exhibit I knew that there was no place on Earth I’d rather spend my 36th birthday.
I made the reservations and waited eagerly, checking out their menu online every couple of days and watching as their Instagram presence quite frankly just started blowing up.
And it’s easy to see why.
Every single nook and cranny of this place is photographable. Every detail has been thought of; no expense was spared.
The moment you walk through the narrow doorway, you ascend a staircase lined with beautiful artwork depicting the characters. The staircase opens up onto the the main floor featuring Cheshire Cat’s tree on a stage, where an incredibly talented violinist plays music.
The bar-top, hand-carved and built by the owner themselves, looks like a stained glass masterpiece and it winds through the room like a meandering path. Every bartender is dressed in costume and every sitting area is unique.
Because we had reservations, my party and I were in the “Rabbit Hole” which is a circular sitting area with a keyhole shaped doorway. Here, you can see white rabbits lining the walls and the floor is painted to look like you could fall straight through.
Even the path to the bathrooms is cool: it’s like a vertical version of the chessboard lawn, with astroturf squares symbolizing the grass. The bathrooms are works of art, with beautiful flamingo-feather-looking chandaliers and maximalist mirrors and decor.
Above those chessboard walls peaks a raised platform where guests can reserve seats to smoke e-hookah with Absolem himself.
If you go to the left of the bar, there is a narrow patio for outdoor seating.
At one point, we realized that the piano music we were hearing was live, but it took a moment to catch where it was coming from. To the left of the patio, there is a little staircase almost completely hidden away that leads to a very small little loft overlooking the rest of the bar. Here, there is a pianist with a baby-grand piano who plays far up in basically Cheshire’s treetop. You can grab seats here to listen to him play, as well.
The drinks were insane. Every one of them was a work of art, and I do want to give my friend Pieter Hanson a shout-out, as his mixology and bartending skills really shined in this place.
I enjoyed the “Maybe I’m Dreaming” cocktail, a light and airy tea and saketini infusion served with lychee cotton candy “clouds”.
The one who truly steals the show, however, is the Red Queen. I don’t know who plays her, but they didn’t break character once. Channeling various versions–most notably, Helena Bonham Carter’s rendition–she screams at you to tell her where Alice is, asks why you have such a very small head, and demands that you tell her who stole her tarts “AT ONCE!”
This person’s vocal range is unbelievable and they look absolutely terrifying and gorgeous all at once.
A phenomenal break from the monotony of the basic bar scene, this experience is one for the books. You can also just enjoy regular tea and they have a number of delightful little confectionary treats, as well.
Give this place a look when you get the chance. It’s just such a perfect blend of fantastical imagination, mixology, theater, and art. It’s hands-down the most impressive bar in Orlando and, honestly, tops the one I visited in Japan (which, don’t get me wrong, was phenomenal but…like…just visit this place. Seriously.)
It was a very merry “un” birthday and the mad tea party of my dreams. I can’t recommend this place enough.
Until next time,
Cheers.
Kara Adamo is a globe-trotting ex-bartender, booze nerd, and booze writer. She is the author of Fancy Grape Juice: De-Snootifying the World’s Snootiest Beverage; Artimals: Coloring the Whimsical Wild; and Brews & Hues: A Coloring Book About Beer.
Adamo is a digital nomad, working as a UX writer and UX designer.
She is writing her fourth book, Layers of Cake.
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