7 themed pubs with worldwide inspiration
The Morning Advertiser takes a look at pubs that have gained inspiration from other nations and how.
1. India
The Tap & Tandoor in Solihull, West Midlands, opened this week (14 June). With a focus on Indian cuisine on the menu, this pub also has a great drinks offer, including a plethora of spirits, wines, soft drinks and craft beer.
Sides include beer-battered bhajis, hand-cut masala chips and okra fries. The pub also taps into the sharing dish trend with mixed grill options to serve two or four people.
2. Italy
According to their website, the Italian Job pubs (sites in Notting Hill, west London; Chiswick, west London; and Southwark, south London) are the “UK’s first Italian craft beer pubs”.
Bar snacks include breaded king prawns with squid ink aioli, home-made Ascolana olives and cheese boards.
The venues host tap takeovers, quiz nights, live music events and beer tastings. The Notting Hill pub even has a secret bar – Salotto '900.
The website said: “A candlestick payphone and a wily bartender... soft lighting and an atmosphere of exclusivity with a hint of the illicit... beautifully crafted cocktails in a carefully concealed and secluded bar.”
The bar is hidden on the first floor of the venue, accessible only by permission from the bartender when customers call him on the candlestick phone.
Salotto '900 is decked in a 1920s USA theme and serves suave, sophisticated cocktails, using predominantly Italian liqueurs and spirits with home-made infusions.
3. Australia
Stonegate-owned Australian bar chain Walkabout offers diners the option to choose dishes from its ‘Straight From the Barbie’ menu and to top their grills with Vegemite.
They can also have an ‘Aussie All Dayer’ – consisting of sausages, eggs, bacon, chips, grilled tomato and a sweetcorn fritter.
4. Scandinavia
Nordic Bar in Fitzrovia, west London, offers a range of dishes from fresh smoked salmon salad to a hearty-aged rib cap patty in a bid to tickle diners’ taste buds with a variety of indulgent Scandinavian grub.
While guests can treat themselves to a plethora of different burger, they can also order Köttbullar – Swedish meatballs with mashed potato, cream sauce and lingonberry jam.
5. Spain
While the Duke of Sussex isn’t a Spanish name, this west London pub serves a modern menu with a Spanish influence, prepared fresh on the premises daily.
The tapas dishes on offer at the Chiswick venue include Spanish cured meats, spinach tortilla, and salt cod croquetas. For sweet-toothed guests, desserts on offer are crème catalana and affogato al caffe.
6. Germany
Authentic German food and beers are on offer at Bierhaus in Reading, Berkshire. The pub claims to be the first authentic, independent German bar and restaurant experience in Reading, serving an outstanding selection of German beers by the stein and traditional, home-cooked German food.
It says it offers guests the opportunity to experience Germany in Reading without travelling the distance with the décor featuring Semperoper in Dresden wallpaper.
The pub is stocked with premium Pilsners, wheat beers and flavoured beers, as well as a wide variety of bottled beers, wines and spirits from around the world.
Food includes beer-battered cheese sticks, brezel, bratwurst, Jägerschnitzel, apfeltarte, sauerkraut and currywurst.
7. Brazil
Late-night venue Boteco Do Brasil aims to remind guests of the things that make Brazil so attractive as its website said: “We are colourful, vibrant fresh and exotic.”
Scotland may be far away from Rio de Janeiro but at Boteco, customers can get a taste of Brazil, even on a rainy day.
Its website added: “You can enjoy some of our refreshing Caipirinhas – the venue’s signature drink or some of the other Cachaça-based creations made by experienced mixologists.
"An essential part of any Brazilian celebration – or a sample of typical Boteco food (famous street food) is our delicious petiscos selection (or Brazilian tapas)."
