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’Net Junkie Shawn "Speedy" Lopes |
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world of boozeFor the accomplished bar-hopper, a trip to exotic locales like Santiago or Rio de Janeiro, for example, would seem rather incomplete without sampling some of the local spirits like pisco (grape brandy) or cachaca (liquor distilled from sugar cane). Even in countries where the drinks are somewhat standard, a visit to a local taproom is a must, as all it takes to have a good time in a strange, faraway place sometimes is a well-stocked bar.
Before jetting off to Antwerp, Lisbon, Tokyo, or just about any major international city, be sure to consult worldsbestbars.com for an extensive register of the trendiest, spiffiest and most daring watering holes the world over. From Amsterdam to Zurich, Sao Paulo to Seattle, Moscow to Mexico City, this clued-in Web site delivers the dish on the hippest, most outrageous bars in over 100 cities, with descriptive analyses of each establishment's clientele, ambiance, spirit selection and prices.
Currently, worldsbestbars. com's Bar of the Month is the Bed Supper Club in Bangkok, not to be confused with the equally swanky Supper Club in Amsterdam (which is also listed -- check out its ultra-fab Internet outpost at www.supperclub.nl when you get a free minute). It's characterized by worldsbestbars.com as "a space-age designer lounge" whose help is described as "ultra sexy staff dressed like spaceship travelers." As with each of the site's other nightspot reviews, worldsbestbars.com's summary of the Bed Supper Club is supplemented by comments submitted by worldly tourists who have set foot there. "Unbelievable!" writes Marco of Vienna. "If you like your place hip and cool, crowded with Thai celebs and hot Thai chicks, then this is the place to go," expresses Danny from Copenhagen.
The site also offers a nifty interactive cocktail guide which produces photos and accompanying descriptions of popular drinks based on the combinations of alcohol and mixers you select. In addition, worldsbestbars.com provides visitors with a fun "personality profile" which will link them to bars that suit their temperament. In my case, worldsbestbars.com suggests Bliss in Palm Beach, Amber in Toronto, Spago in Rome, and Market Place and 57 Jermyn Street in London, which have been deemed "The World's Top Five Bars For a Party Animal." Very flattering.
Note: Web sites mentioned in this column were active at time of publication. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin neither endorses nor is responsible for their contents.
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’Net Junkie drops every Monday.
Contact Shawn "Speedy" Lopes at slopes@starbulletin.com.
