MNfusion: Apothecary Bar & Lounge Opens At Loews Hotel
A spoon full of sugar, and bitters, helps the medicine go down at Minneapolis' new Apothecary Bar.
On Thursday, Loews Hotel in downtown Minneapolis unveiled its new bar as part of a $10 million renovation that included upgrading 251 guestrooms.
Guests can step into the doctor's office as soon as they arrive, as the bar is located on the first floor just to the left of check in.
To promote the theme, Apothecary allows people to individualize their own Old Fashioned. They are given a piece of paper on a clipboard that states "Your Prescription" in bold at the top.
Guests then creation individualized concoctions by choosing ingredients from a list of liquor, bitters, rinses, sweets and fancy additions.
The personalized potions cost $14. If a recipe is a favorite there is a chance it may be featured on the menu.
If Old Fashioneds don't do the trick, try the Smash – an aquavit cocktail with mint and almond. Refreshing and light; it's a perfect summer cocktail.
Food consists of approachable small plates that have a hint of fine dining, such as wild rice sliders and foie gras hot dogs. And there are vast charcuterie and cheese selections.
The space, specifically designed to be more open, allows guests to move freely from the front of the hotel into a more private dining-like area in the back.
A VIP area lies in the back on the right, just up two steps.
A large chef's table sits on one side of the room, giving it the feel of a casual living and dining space and a fire place adds a homey feel.
White is a dominant color throughout the bar and touches of dark wood, like the chef's table, add contrast and sophistication while playing off the branch design that flows along the walls.
Loews purchased the 22-story hotel, formerly Graves 601, in summer of 2014 with plans to upgrade the 11-year-old building.
Apothecary Bar & Lounge is taking the place of Bradstreet Crafthouse, which has plans to open in the former location of the Rye Deli in Lowry Hill.
Apothecary is open to hotel guests and the general public. It will serve lunch and dinner.