Bar Review: Ice and Taxidermy at Kinly Bar

(c) Antoine Le Minh

From Hauptbahnhof down Kaiserstrasse and then a left on Elbastrasse. It's a little before 8 O' Clock and the tall narrow door located next to some shoddy motel-hotel has it's rolladen dow tightly shut. A little after 8:00 with a knock on the seedy door, it is opened by a bearded man. Down into the dimly lit cellar we go.

Located in the Bahnhofsviertel, with no signs or windows, only a door, the Kinly Bar is probably one of the Frankfurt's best kept non-secrets. With perfectly mixed cocktails replacing moonshine the dark basement replicates prohibition era underground bars and speakeasys.

(c) kinlybar.com

The atmosphere is familiar from the start. Simple tables and chairs, enough space to fit probably no more than 60 persons. The quirks lie in the little details. Old stereophones and tiny taxidermied rodents with hats on the wall.  One crystal clear, flawless block of ice on the counter (which is created by way of an interesting process in itself and worth reading up on). The staff: 3 men simultaneously chipping at the giant ice block, creating cocktails, mixing, serving and attending to the the guests.

Seriously -  this picture captures perfectly the omninous door that does not look like a bar.
Source: bonussmile.wordpress.com

It being my first time there, it seemed like Kinly Bar has a its regulars. Many, who streamed into the bar greeted the bartenders with jovial pats on the back and handshakes. Even newcomers are treated as part of the community. 

The drinks - for which Kinly Bar has received much recognition for and is in the running for best cocktail Frankfurt - are an experience in themselves. Not just a sensory explosion of the tastebuds, but also fun for the eye. Many of the drinks on the menu are served in special glasware and containers pertaining to the theme of the drink. Of the first round of the drinks, the Kayacolada was the most extravagant. It was served in a wooden box that was filled with smoke. When the box is opened, the smoke billows out and around you to reveal you cocktail sitting in a coconut shell.

I admittedly am not one for cocktails usually. I'm a big beer drinker and tend to stay away from "sweet" drinks. Also, not being an expert, many of the spirits listed on the menu do not mean anything to me. For those of you in a similar situation, no need to shy away from the Kinly Bar! You can simply tell ask one of the gentlemen for help. Just tell them what sort of flavors you like one the and they will concoct a drink "tailor-made" for you. 

My conclusion: After four hours underground, I left a little tipsy and very pleased. 

The ice block (c)Felix Schmitt