Open: 2001
Type: Bar/Lounge?Apothecary

Walking into the Fu Kun Wu lounge via the almost secret backdoor was pretty thrilling in and of itself. We do love a speakeasy feel. Upon entering, however, we felt transported to someplace in the Orient, circa 1930s. Seated at a rough hewn wood table, facing interesting metal work in a dark little corner surrounded by a plethora of apothecary paraphernalia (including lots of bottles and drawers begging to be opened), we knew we were in for something interesting.

Perusing the cocktail menu proved our instincts correct. How can you turn down a Radiant Flower billed as “Schisandra berry (a digestion, circulation and sexual tonic), white peony root (radiance) and gin tincture shaken with lemon and mint” which insists it “quiets the spirit and calms the heart”? Or the Kava Kolada which claims to have “euphoria inducing, anxiety reducing” qualities? Sign us up!

But what really got us was the “Patented Yohimbe Cocktails”. Yohimbe, as the menu states, “is considered to be a potent aphrodisiac, stimulant and even a mild hallucinogen” and warns away persons with heart or psychological conditions. At this point, we must admit we went twice in one week to the Fu Kun Wu. These drinks are limited one to a customer and there are 3 classics with a Yohimbe twist, so you do the math.

First up, the Old Fashion. Orange, sugar, cherry juice and Yohimbe mixed with bourbon and topped with soda. The Yohimbe takes the place of the bitters. Nicely made cocktail, not sure if we truly picked up the taste of the Yohimbe, but definitely sure we felt some positive effects. Power of suggestion or the real deal? Hard to say. We had a repeat performance when we tried the Yohito (Mojito) and Manhattan with Yohimbe, so we’re going with it doesn’t matter.

We did manage to eat on visit two, listen to live jazz (no cover) and weren’t at all disappointed in either.  We also weren’t disappointed to learn that the Fu Kun Wu has a second, secret addition in the basement that used to serve as an underground opium den before its current state as a storage room and private party space.

Gotta love a lounge with history, secrets and maybe a little magic.

Open 7 days a week, 4pm to 2am. Happy Hour 4pm-6pm nightly and 9pm-12am Sunday –Thursday

For more info: www.fukunwu.com

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