Buzz
With countless pubs spread across the planet, it’s inevitable that some have been constructed in the most peculiar and unexpected locations. From ice bars in frigid climates to mountaintop taverns catering to adventurers and skiers, there’s even an Irish pub nestled in Namche Bazaar, right at the base of Mount Everest!
If your neighborhood pub doesn’t quite hit the spot, explore these 10 extraordinary bars located in some of the world’s most bizarre and unconventional settings.
10. Wasbar: A Laundromat Bar Experience
Wasbar, a Belgian franchise, merges the convenience of a laundromat with the charm of a bar and restaurant. Perfect for those who dislike idle time while waiting for their laundry, Wasbar offers a space to enjoy food and drinks. Washing machines here cost €6 (approximately $6.50) per cycle, and dryers are priced at €3 ($3.25).
Wasbar offers a full dining experience with breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, featuring dishes like pancakes, bagels, and salads. Beverage choices range from coffee and fruit juice to beer and cocktails. The Ghent location even includes a hair salon, allowing patrons to multitask by doing laundry, enjoying a drink, and getting a haircut all in one visit.
9. Floating Bar and Restaurant Lamu: A Unique Spot in the Indian Ocean
While boozy boats are common worldwide, floating structures serving alcohol are rare. The Floating Bar and Restaurant Lamu, located between Lamu Island and Manda Island in Kenya, is one such unique establishment. Built on a platform supported by 200 pressurized barrels, the bar features proper walls and roofs, creating a stable yet drifting experience.
Alcohol consumption is uncommon in Lamu due to its predominantly Muslim population, but tourists can enjoy drinks at this floating bar. Owner Frida Njogu shares, “I love meeting people from diverse backgrounds daily.” Without electricity, the bar relies on ice-filled coolers to keep drinks chilled, and fresh seafood is a highlight of the menu.
8. Cahoots: A Bar Nestled in an Underground Air Raid Shelter
During the bombings of London in WWI and WWII, residents sought refuge in the city’s underground tube stations. In 2015, one such abandoned shelter—Kingly Court Underground Station—was transformed into Cahoots, a 1940s-themed speakeasy. The bar features three distinct areas, with the standout being the Underground, a subterranean space within the old station that includes a full-scale tube carriage (or train car for Americans).
Guests in the train car bar can enjoy creatively named drinks like “Dig for Victory,” “Uncle Sam’s Snack Box,” and “Keep Marm and Carry On.” For a fully immersive experience, the bar hosts the Black Market Knees-Up every Saturday, offering not only drinks but also wartime-inspired snacks, live performances, games, and a quiz.
7. Alux Restaurant & Lounge: A Bar Hidden in a Cave
For another subterranean experience, visit Alux Restaurant & Lounge in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. This unique venue is set within a natural cave, featuring stunning stalactites and stalagmites. The ambiance is dark and atmospheric, with vibrant lighting in pink, green, and blue accentuating the cave’s natural beauty.
Alux offers more than just a main dining area; it also includes private caves, known as VIP Vaults, for those seeking a more secluded experience. However, visitors should be prepared for occasional encounters with bats that inhabit the cave and may swoop near diners and their drinks.
6. The Fenn Bell Inn: A Pub with a Zoo
Located in Kent, England, The Fenn Bell Inn is a unique establishment that combines a traditional pub with a small zoo. Andy and Kelly Cowell, a husband-and-wife duo, purchased the pub in 2014 and began housing rescued animals on the surrounding property. “We started by taking in unwanted pets, and soon people began visiting to see them,” Andy explained to The Mirror in 2017.
The first animals to join the collection were two pigs named Ginger and Spice. As the pub gained popularity, the Cowells decided to expand their animal family with more exotic species, prompting them to apply for an official zoo license. In 2017, The Fenn Bell Inn became the first pub to receive such a license, enabling the couple to care for a variety of animals, provided they could meet their needs. While the property isn’t large enough for elephants or giraffes (though expansion plans are being considered), it is home to parrots, monkeys, lemurs, meerkats, and other fascinating creatures.
The pub’s earnings primarily fund the care of the animals, but visitors should note that strict safety regulations prevent direct interaction, such as holding a drink while petting a lemur.
5. The William Creek Hotel: A Bar in the Heart of the Australian Outback
The Australian Outback is renowned for its dry, sparsely populated landscapes. However, scattered across this vast expanse are a handful of pubs that serve as essential rest stops for travelers. These remote establishments not only offer alcohol but also provide vital supplies like water, food, and fuel for vehicles.
One notable Outback pub is the William Creek Hotel Bar, located near Lake Eyre along the Oodnadatta Track. Owner Trevor Wright describes it as the local hub for a 400-kilometer (roughly 250-mile) radius. Other iconic Outback pubs include The Birdsville Hotel, situated on the Simpson Desert Racing Carnival Trail, and the Mt. Dare Hotel, positioned on the western edge of the Simpson Desert.
If you ever venture into the scorching heat of the Australian Outback, you can take comfort in knowing that a cold pint is never too far away—though it might require driving a few hundred miles to find one.
4. The Yeoman Warders Club: A Private Pub Inside the Tower of London
While many exclusive bars cater to the wealthy and famous, one private pub in London has a unique clientele. Nestled within the Tower of London is the Yeoman Warders Club, also known as The Keys. This pub is reserved exclusively for the Tower’s ceremonial guards, known as Yeoman Warders or Beefeaters, and their invited guests. The bar is even staffed by Beefeaters, who rotate in two-week shifts to serve drinks.
Becoming a Yeoman Warder is no simple feat. Candidates must have served at least 22 years in the armed forces—army, navy, marines, or air force—and earned a medal for good conduct. Those without these credentials will need to befriend a Beefeater to gain access to this exclusive pub. Alongside its unique setting, the bar features Yeomen Warder dress uniforms on display and offers a selection of specialty beers on tap. Otherwise, it maintains the charm of a traditional English pub.
3. Neptune Bar: A Remote Drinking Spot on an Uninhabited Island
Pulau Sikeling, an uninhabited Indonesian island, typically has little need for a bar. However, every Chinese New Year, the Neptune Regatta brings hundreds of sailors to the area. Since the island lacks infrastructure, participants must bring their own supplies, including beer, rum, ice, cups, and food.
For a few days each year, a dilapidated shack transforms into the Neptune Bar, a bustling drinking spot. The island’s only other structures are basic kitchens and a few sleeping huts. To enjoy a drink at this remote bar, one must either join the Regatta or arrange private transportation.
2. Faraday Bar: A Pub in the Heart of Antarctica
In the desolate Antarctic, the Vernadsky Research Base on Galindez Island is home to a unique pub called Faraday Bar. Built by carpenter Keith “Cat” Larratt for British researchers, the bar was designed to bring joy and warmth to what was once considered the most dreary and neglected base in Antarctica. Larratt described its purpose in a 2009 letter as a place to uplift spirits in the harsh environment.
In 1996, the British handed over the base to Ukrainian researchers, who purchased the bar for a symbolic £1 (approximately $1.25). Without a dedicated bartender, the researchers and staff—cooks, mechanics, and others—take turns managing the bar. With supply shipments arriving only once a year, they even produce their own vodka, making Faraday Bar one of the world’s most remote pubs and distilleries.
1. El Avión Restaurant and Bar: A Pub Inside a Grounded Aircraft
The Fairchild C-123 Provider at El Avión Restaurant and Bar in Costa Rica has a storied past. Purchased by the CIA during the infamous Iran-Contra Affair of the 1980s, this plane was abandoned after its sister aircraft was shot down, exposing the scandal. Left at San José Mineta International Airport, it was acquired in 2000 by the owners of El Avión and relocated to Puntarenas Province.
A canopy now covers the cargo plane, creating a dining area with ocean views. The plane’s interior has been transformed into a bar, serving margaritas, beers, cocktails, and wine. Guests can even sit in the cockpit of this historic aircraft.
