Review of Rival – by Cocktailguiden S.
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Housed in the old cinema at Mariatorget in Södermalm is Hotel Rival. Thus, their bar Watson's has sympathetically generous opening hours. The environment is absolutely stunning with preserved Art Deco details from 1937. They have a little trouble with our unusual test drink, but ask all the right questions to serve an excellent New York Sazerac. The cocktail menu is short, but has 10 gins and 6 tonics for G&T fans. We try their signature drink Swedish Forestry, but it turns out to be premixed(!), a little rejected and with too much Grenadine. After a conversation with the bartenders, Octavian mixes a delicious composition of his own instead with gin, green Chartreuse and champagne syrup, which we name Monkey Business. Why isn't it on the menu instead? We end with an inspiring conversation with Isaiah, who feels overqualified here, about bars in New York and the selection in Stockholm. This feels like a good place when you want a cocktail at odd times, if it's the right people behind the bar. 🥃👍
