COCONUTS HOT SPOT – Tucked away in phase two of CDC is a small bar that goes completely against the trends common to its type. It’s called the Circus, and it’s a dream-like, 1920s-inspired venue in which you can hang out amongst absinthe-sipping badasses and soak in an almost creepy vibe.
The Circus comes to us courtesy of a collective of young restaurateurs who boast backgrounds in the music, nightlife and media businesses. Their counter-culture style comes through in the Circus-themed décor of the restaurant: Red velvet drapes, soft lighting, art deco furniture and red and white striped awnings establish the restaurant’s Ringling Bros. theme, while pictures of freaks and signage using nineteenth-century fonts add a little touch of weirdness to the whole experience.
The surreal setting is perfect for indulging in a glass of the bar’s signature spirit –absinthe. For those unfamiliar with absinthe, it’s an anise-infused spirit made from a mixture of botanicals. In the past, an herb known as wormwood was used in making the drink. Wormwood contains thujone, a psychoactive chemical that, when ingested, sets drinkers off on a slight psychedelic trip.
Absinthe experienced a worldwide revival in popularity a few years ago, but somehow this trend skipped over Bangkok. As a consequence, the Circus is one of the few places in Thailand to get an absinthe cocktail done right. Though be warned: my dining partner and I did not meet the green fairy after enjoying the Circus’s No. 4 cocktail, which is a mixture of absinthe, Jim Beam and sweet vermouth. It did deliver plenty of booze, however. Most absinthe products produced today adhere to strict regulations and contain very little psychoactive substance. Legend holds that overindulgence in absinthe led Vincent Van Gough to cut off his ear, so maybe a lack of psychoactive properties isn’t a bad thing.
The early-2000s punk rock tunes playing at the Circus are a bit of an anachronism, but they complement the edgy attire of the attentive wait staff, who are often dressed in fashionable plaid miniskirts and punk rock T shirts. The service is top-notch here and the small space ensures that staff members remain forever within eyesight.
In addition to absinthe, the Circus offers baraku (also known as hookah, or shisha) in apple, mint and standard varieties.
Bar fare can be ordered, such as Thai spicy chicken wings with sticky rice. These aren’t your normal chicken wings, however; they’re coated with rice meal and Isaan spices before being fried, giving them a satisfying and crunchy skin. Pork belly stew and seafood baskets have been recently added to the menu as well. Order the seafood basket for a healthy dose of fried shrimp, fried clams and nam jim.
The Circus offers a pleasant divergence from the usual, hoity toity CDC scene. Check out the restaurant if you’re feeling like stepping ever-so-slightly outside your comfort zone.
FIND IT:
The Circus
CDC Phase 2, Bangkok, Thailand
Phone: 083 123 4527
