Set in a renovated single-storey house where two busy thoroughfares meet, Blooms Bar & Grill is a pleasant and surprising find. This recently opened American style bar (one of two, the other based in Larnaca) offers food, a huge array of international beers, US inspired cocktails, premium whiskys, bourbon, tequilas and classic rock tunes.
It’s also a sports bar, screening big local and international games and is family friendly too. The indoor area of the bar maintains an open plan house style where literarly everything is wood. Thin red bricks occupy the spaces where the wood doesn’t and big blackboards with funny drink related quotes are elsewhere. The ceilings are not particularly high and the three room layout and bar area, give a sense of privacy. For a Wednesday evening it’s busy. It’s not a bar you’d frequent alone, it’s a bar for company. The atmosphere is chilled as Guns & Roses blares in the background, loud enough to be a little above comfortable but quiet enough to have a sophisticated natter. The music does get louder over the weekends and after 10pm. There’s a lovely vibe, relaxed with an edge of rock ‘n roll. All ages are welcome but with the music being all sorts of familiar rock, don’t expect to see garage fans there.
The italic neon blue Blooms logo sitting brightly against horizontal wooden slats on the front of the venue pulls curiosity, and that’s how I noticed it driving by. There are a few tables in the front of the bar but the main outdoor area is behind (as is the parking from Strovolos Avenue), seating 120 overall. The outdoor area behind the venue is large with 12 high wooden tables and despite the midweek summer humidity it’s very busy. The venue has large TV screens scattered everywhere showing sports and the walls are decorated with fun alcohol & film placards highlighted by copper coloured lighting.
Despite the tempting whisky and beer menu (with the chocolate Kasteelbier rouge beer, which comes strongly recommended), I opted for the popular Mastihomata made with Skinos Mastiha, gin, elderflower, a sweet & sour mix and fresh limes. Unlike many of the sweet and sour cocktails I enjoy, this one introduces itself with strong sour notes first, becoming sweeter as one drinks; it’s full of lime which breaks the excessive sweetness of the Mastiha; it does not disappoint. Like all the drinks here, it’s also very reasonably priced too.
The bar is exactly what it sets out to be. I am fond of these frill-less places. It’s a well designed American bar and grill, open daily without special events. The atmosphere is great, it has a huge premium drinks menu and it’s far from the madding crowd; a great local, even if it’s not next door to your house, it’s worth the visit.
Blooms
Where: 2 Athalassas Avenue, Strovolos, Nicosia
When: 7 days a week, 5pm-1am
Price: Wines €15-30 Cocktails €6–7.50 Beers €2.60-15
Contact: www.facebook.com/BloomsBarandGrillNicosia, Tel: 70 005152
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