Bagheera, you may recall, is the sleek, black panther in Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. In this decidedly post-Colonial era I was intrigued to see the name resurface—as the moniker of Vancouver’s newest hidden cocktail lounge. As it turns out, however, Bagheera comes by its handle honestly. Owners and cocktail uber gurus Lewis Hart and Brij Rathi lay legitimate claim to their Indian heritage.
“Both our families have roots in India, so we looked for an intersection and realized we both appreciated Rudyard Kipling and his storytelling ability,” says Hart. “Everything flowed from there.”
While the duo’s first hidden room, award-winning Laowai, draws inspiration from Prohibition era Shanghai, Bagheera imbues a mysterious and suitably complex personality, akin to the author. Far more than a nod to the days of ‘Empire,’ Hart and Rathis suggest it “pays homage to the adventurous spirit of the Indian subcontinent as the 19th. century gave way to the 20th.”
In short, the Bergman Interiors designed Bagheera (which is, by the way, absolutely gorgeous) thrives on its energy and cloak of intrigue. The entire exercise is a clever, very polished deceit. From the moment you approach the unlikely entrance to when you re-emerge on present day Main Street, this latest addition to the scene is artfully shrouded in Kiplin-esque lore and mystery.
All bets are on!
Initially you cross the threshold of the cleverly imagined Happy Valley Turf Club. Clad in a green and white exterior, it’s the unlikely but entirely delightful and believable but fictitious storefront for Bagheera. Inside, with cashier’s wicket and horses’ names on blackboards, it’s a decidedly ‘old school’ bookie‘s joint. Except, that is, for the monitor showing non-stop highlights from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and maybe elsewhere.
(An aside, it reminded me of my time in London and a visit to Hahn Brothers, art restorers extraordinaire. When I arrived they were busy re-lining antique oil paintings, an extraordinarily delicate process. Tricky work indeed. But, cool as cucumbers, they worked with cigar in one hand—and one eye on the races and betting form!)
A confirmation that you’ve placed a bet on ‘King Louie’ gains entry to Bagheera through an artfully concealed door. If you’re wondering about the ‘King Louie’ reference, he was the apex Orangutan in the Disney animated movie, voiced by ‘King of Swing’ Luis Prima. (Fittingly, in the ongoing spirit of invention, King Louie appears only in the movie and is not a character from the original Kipling work.) Note that use of cell phones is not permitted within, period—a rule politely but strictly enforced.
Bagheera revealed
The dimly lit, long room is ruled by a hand-carved teak and tiger blue Onyx topped bar that runs its length. Behind the bar, a mind-boggling array of shiny bangles, trinkets and coins are sourced ‘directly from the antique bazaars of Delhi and Jaipur.’
The feel overall is unabashedly sumptuous but also gently sub-terranean, maybe in an Orient Express meets Hampstead (deep) Tube kind of way. Aside from the bar stools (with purse hooks. hooray!) seating is all settees and low tables arranged booth style, which somehow serves just a tad to heighten the sense of intrigue.
The Bagheera theme is echoed in a hand-painted mural of jungle inspired graphics that runs behind. It is a positively stunning room right down to the last detail, such as Victorian era drop fringes on the bar stools (actually more comfortable seats than stools). A quibble, all that’s missing are some well-disguised baffles to temper the noise level.
In the glass
Bagheera is a fun and fanciful escape, right down to its raison d’être—the cocktail list, which is, well, much more than a ‘list.’ We already know these owners do nothing by half measure. Hence, it comes as no surprise that its wickedly executed libations are thoughtfully segmented and summarised in a small newspaper—complete with background stories worth a read before ordering.
Beyond the breathtaking range of diverse, multi-national (including Canadian) spirits on offer, this manifesto (‘Watches of the Night’) is a smartly researched (and authentically illustrated) ‘spirited’ salute to all things Kipling, The Jungle Book and the era in general. My next visit could well find me happily seated at the bar, on my own, reading it from end to end.
On the other hand the staff are beyond well-versed to shepherd you to your choice, be it a fanciful cocktail, single malt (from a dozen on offer) or whatever, maybe matched with nicely spiced pakoras or a range of tempting curries and kofta, from chef Phong Vo’s Laowai menu.
The Gin ‘Savoury’ is a curiously delicious combo of your chosen Gin / Genever (one of 28!), with Fentiman’s Tonic, a splash of Balsamic vinegar, along with fig, Rosemary sprig, Thyme and olive, for a superbly balanced drink that, had we stayed for another, no doubt soon would have had us channeling our inner Baloo!
Bagheera chef Phong Vo (supplied)
More on Bagheera here
(Most images courtesy of Bagheera)
Leave A Comment