If you thought Part One of Best Bars in the World brought us the exotic with a pub at the end of the world in Antarctica, you’re going to love this installment of the series! Our drinking journey continues to the far corners of the Earth with a township bar in Namibia, a cava bar in Spain, a traditional Irish pub in Ireland, and my favorite bar in the world located in Key West, Florida!
Next week we switch gears back to food with Best Meals in the World. Follow the lastest from Best… in the World series by signing up for our free newsletter
The Gin and Tonic Bar in Rundu, Namibia – The Travel Tart
My favourite Pubs used to be in Ireland. That’s before I came across the Gin and Tonic Bar.
This bar is a concrete box plus an irregularly arranged corrugated iron flat roof, located in a small village in Rundu, in northeast Namibia – near the border with Angola. The front walls proudly displayed the words “WeLLcom GiN and TONiC BAR” in orange hand writing.
It still amazes me that a Pub (or in this case, a drankwinkel) is a feature of every town in the world, no matter how poor or squalid it is. This place would definitely win Pub Of The Year in Rundu – because it’s the only pub there.
The GiN and TONiC BAR had no electricity supply, and inside was a mud-walled establishment complete with dirt floor. A neat line of standard spirits such as vodka and bourbon occupied the shabby bar. Two bartenders stood behind the bar, waiting for any potential customer to pop-in for a quick brewski.
I had to satisfy my militant curiosity and wondered if they served beer. Surely, the Pub Of The Year would have this?
‘Hello there – I was wondering, do you have any beer?’ I casually asked the laid-back bartender.
He pointed me into the direction of the 60 litre plastic rubbish bin located in a dusty corner. The bin contained a whitish, cloudy homebrew, and this liquid looked rougher than anything I’d ever tried at university, even the green home brew that beer desperados like myself wouldn’t dare to touch. This beer looked more at home on a three-week, incubated agar plate than in a beer glass.
Hmm, this is a laboratory, not the Pub Of The Year.
It was called mahango or millet beer, which is usually brewed and drunk on the same day (this must have been really green home brew). A plastic ladle lay still within the beer and its handle was barely holding on to the bin lip.
I had complete faith in my guts’ ability to handle almost any dodgy foodstuff or beverage, as four years of on-campus college food that required carbon-dating had evolved my battered stomach into a super-digestive monster, able to withstand almost anything that was shoved down my gullet.
I poured the cloudy mixture in a plastic cup, took a sip, and then swallowed the rest. After analyzing the initial layer of beer on my tongue, finishing with the grainy after-taste, I concluded that this suspicious looking home brew actually tasted not too bad, considering the less than ideal brewing conditions. I also deduced there was obviously enough alcohol in the beer to kill any feral Namibian bug, thus preventing me from becoming sick with explosive diarrhoea or vomiting.
The bartenders looked at me in appreciation that their brew was acceptable as I walked out. I had to acknowledge their fine improvisation in the beer making process. I accepted that human beings have an undocumented survival instinct that orders us to produce substances that cause us to become drunk no matter what dire circumstances are present.
Oh, I didn’t become sick either!
The Travel Tart writes about the funny, offbeat and weird aspects of world travel today. Travel wasn’t meant to be taken too seriously! Check his website or sign up for his silly newsletter!
El Xampanyet in Barcelona, Spain – Living the Dream
The champagne bar, El Xampanyet in Barcelona, Spain, has become somewhat of a family tradition. Angie and I went here on our honeymoon in Spain for their famous cava (champagne) and delicious tapas (the stuffed peppers are to die for). The bartender took an amazing photo of us that ended up being one of the best photos of us from our honeymoon.
A week later my brother was in Barcelona at the end of his European cruise, went to El Xampanyet on our recommendation, and had the same exact photo taken. Two years later my parents went on a similar cruise, ended up in Barcelona, and repeated the experience. Now we’re hoping that one day we all can go to Barcelona on a family trip to get a family photo to complete the experience.
Jeremy is the owner of Living the Dream, a long-term travel blog that inspires others to get out and explore the world for months or years on end. Since founding the site he has been on two long-term trips, visited 67 countries, and focuses on adventure and culinary activities around the world.
Johnnie Fox’s Pub in Dublin, Ireland – X Days in Y
If Champagne is the national beverage in France then beer is certainly the national drink in Ireland. So you might expect that its capital city, Dublin, would be filled with pubs, right? Well, you’re absolutely right!
As a resident of Dublin for the past 4 years, I’ve visited my fair share of Irish pubs and had my fair share of pints. For the best experience though, one must venture a bit outside the city center and actually a bit higher up as well.
Nestled high up in the Dublin Mountains, a short 20 minute drive from the city, is Johnnie Fox’s Pub. Established in 1798 and known for being the ‘highest pub in Ireland’, this long time establishment knows a thing or two about beer. It also serves great food (try the duck), a usual rarity in pubs. You can come here for a pint or drop in on your way back from visiting the lovely Wicklow Mountains.
A favorite amongst resident locals, Johnnie Fox’s pub also attracts the tourist crowd thanks to its famous ‘Hooley Shows’ which include a great meal and of course, Irish song and dance.
I frequently visit this place for its authentic antique atmosphere. On the outside, old cars and obsolete farming tools greet you as you walk in. On the inside, patrons are taken back in time with old newspaper clippings on the wall, signs that have long been out of use, old guns and pretty much anything that you would find in an old Dublin antique shop. And let’s not forget the wooden chips scattered on the floor and a never ending fireplace keeping us warm on those chilly winter days.
Many imitations have sprung up all across Ireland but there’s only one Johnnie Fox’s!
Written by Avichai Ben Tzur, publisher of X Days In Y and long time travel fanatic. His goal is to provide fellow travelers with free point-to-point travel itineraries and help them plan great and totally doable holidays around the world. Photo credit for the featured image on the home page goes to Avichai.
Schooner Wharf Bar in Key West, Florida – The Wandering Gourmand
Followers of this blog know that we consider drinking a sport here in The Wandering Gourmand Community. It’s no secret then that on occasion, I may find myself in the most precarious of situations where I wake up shouting curses at last night’s bartender for over serving me. While I love finding a good pub to party the night away in while traveling, I absolutely hate wasting the next day hungover. There’s so much to explore that I feel guilty for missing out. I usually end up roaming the streets (probably looking like a homeless man) in search of a hangover cure in the form of grease and perhaps more alcohol (hair-of-the-dog is fact, not myth).
On one of those searches I came across Schooner Wharf Bar in Key West, Florida. Shades on and head pounding, I bellied up to the bar and ordered a blackened grouper sandwich with fries and a Bloody Mary to wash it down. I then stayed for several rounds of beer as I enjoyed the live music, view of the Key West wharf, and general laid back atmosphere away from touristy Duval Street.
When I lived in Miami, I made several weekend trips down to Key West. Each time, I was sure to stop by Schooner Wharf Bar for lunch or a mid-afternoon beer. It quickly became by favorite bar in the world. If I was lucky, I might even be there when Michael McCloud was performing and singing the words that always made me long to live in Key West.
“Key West, Florida’s my home
And I know I’ll never ever wanna roam.
Because the ladies are lovely
And drinkings considered a sport.
I’d rather be here just drinking a beer
Than freezing ass in the North”
Conch Republic Song – Michael McCloud
Bryan runs The Wandering Gourmand and has traveled to five continents, 19 countries, and 70 cities over the past eight years, all while holding down a full-time job. He also has a passion for exploring regional foods and drinking craft beer. He wants to help you taste the world, too. Click here for instant access to his free guide 8 Steps to Going on Your Dream Vacation.