Apothéke

Opened inside a former opium den, Apothéke’s lounge was modeled after old European apothecaries, which did indeed sometimes have bars. The light sconces are filled with an absinthelike herbal liquid that emits a soothing scent. The ceiling was uncovered when the one belonging to the previous tenant, Golden Flower, was pulled down, and was then painted with gold leaf. The bar was custom built using imported marble and some pressed tin purchased from an antique store that also sold the joint on the 200-year-old door equipped with a cool sliding peephole. Stunning? A little bit, yes. And it’ll look even better after a Dragonfly, made with mezcal, sunflower-blossom sencha tea, epazote, nectarine, wheat grass, lime, and habanero bitters.