3 of the best… space age bars
Beam yourself up to these futuristic watering holes
words by Xav Judd
SHU – Milan
If you plan on visiting SHU, brace yourself for the circuit boards and funky luminescent lime-green interiors that make this inner-city bar look more space age than the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. To top the far-out décor, the ceiling appears to be supported by the might of two enormous golden fibreglass hands. It’s worth bringing a friend or a date here, not only to take a look at the venue’s quirky design but also for a bite from the bar menu; try the tuna tartare and aubergine-scampi timballo. A hit with beautiful Milanesi, this is definitely one for close encounters of the hip, urban kind.
SHU Milano
via Molino delle Armi, Milan
+39 0258 315 720
www.shumilano.it
Giger-Bar – Chur, Swiss Alps
Entering the Giger-Bar can be a bit of a daunting experience. As you sink your teeth into some tasty bar snacks, it’s easy to imagine that you’re the one on the menu, surrounded as you are by an eerie interior modelled on the sets of the 1979 sci-fi gorefest Alien. Like the extraterrestrial of the film, this bar-restaurant was designed by the Swiss special effects meister, HR Giger (pictured above). Indeed, even relaxing into a chair here can send a shiver down your spine – they’re closely fashioned on the Alien’s gleaming silvery-black exoskeleton. Although you might think all this could put you off your food, the bar does start to feel more homely once you have a pint of Swiss lager in your hand and are tucking into comfort food, like burgers and fries.
Giger-Bar and Restaurant
Comercialstrasse 23, Chur, Switzerland
+41 (0)81 253 7506
www.hrgiger.com
Universum Lounge – Berlin
Originally built as a state-of-the-art cinema in 1927, Universum continues to offer a glimpse into another world, but these days that’s because of its retro-futuristic design. The first thing you’ll notice on entering this Charlottenberg bar is the striking backdrop of celestial bodies and a glowing moon; comfortable white-topped leather stools add a touch of kitsch glamour. Adjoining the Schaubühne theatre, Universum Lounge is popular with Berlin’s theatregoers for a pre- or post-show drink. Standouts on the cocktail menu include the classic cosmopolitan and a range of martinis with flavours such as apple and espresso.
Universum Lounge
Kurfürstendamm 153, Berlin
+49 (0)30 8906 4995
www.universumlounge.com
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