Drink Lagos: Utopia

Utopia Restauarant

11b Goriola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos

0907 200 2000

 

Utopia fancies itself a resto-bar. With owners from Lebanon, Utopia has a very alternative Arabian vibe and it's very intentional too, from the vintage music to the beaded curtains. It has this traditional restaurant-with-bar-as-backdrop that’s just so 90s. The exterior is a throwback too, or maybe it's just old because there was some renovation going on.

Bars in Lagos will continue to dominate the hospitality sector because they understands the target market — an overworked population looking for an escape. We just want some alcohol and a couple of instagram pictures.

I went with a colleague after work, which coincidently fell on International Women’s day so we performed accordingly. How we didn't end up ordering the Lady Killer and the Lack of a Better Man is Hamada, our bartender's fault. He said we deserved better.

PS: Those are real cocktail names. 

Anyway, while we waited for our drinks, we were served strawberries dusted in powdered sugar. Fancy!

House of Zombie

Remember when Zenbah claimed to be the only tiki bar in Africa? It turns out Utopia has an interesting range of tikis with spectacular names. For our first drink, Hamada made us the House of Zombie - Utopia’s version of Tiki Puka Puka with lemon, orange juice, grenadine syrup and the legendary spiced, white and dark rum.

The appeal of any tiki cocktail is in the way it's presented. More often than not, it's in an overly dramatic mug and contains a concoction of rum and fresh juices. Tiki culture is what happens when millennials try to reconcile obsessions: juicing and binge drinking.

Creepiest drink ever

House of Zombie was definitely a fresher version of Tiki Puka Puka. It starts off with quite strong notes which the orgeat and "rums" mix take credit for. It's richer version than Zenbah's. As you settle towards the bottom of the drink, your straw picks up particles of ginger which I love. This is what you'd want when you're on antibiotics and suffering from a bad cold and sore throat. The spiciness of the ginger gives the illusion you're maybe healing your glands. Don't drink when you're on antibiotics medication anyway. I drank this for over an hour because It was hard, thank goodness for the long-lasting ice so I didn't have a diluted mess.

For our second drink, Hamada made us a Wood Eye, another tiki. Made from gin, a first, I have not quite had anything like it. If you’re a fragrance lover, you’ll love this drink. It’s served with cinnamon on top that is set on fire, like a blunt.

First sip and lime particles slap you with the heavily perfumed cinnamon. I like to think this is what incense would taste like, if it a drink poured in a glass - exotic.

Wood Eye is a rare cocktail that stands without ice and definitely doesn't need it. The only downside is that the smoked cinnamon gets too overpowering and a bit tedious after some sips.

Also, if you hate lime, this isn’t for you.

Wood Eye

See the cinnamon?

Hamada enjoyed our company so much he decided to gift us jellyfish shots. One of the best things about going out for just drinks is sitting by the bar. You usually get the best from experiencing your drinks come alive right in front of you.

As a bartender passionate about his craft, Hamada was especially proud of his jellyfish shot. It was essentially about layering and still hands. He started with the crème de cacao at the bottom; layered with the amaretto; then the baileys and tiny drops of grenadine, which formed tiny fishes at the bottom of the shot glass. It was beautiful to watch and tasted even better. 

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Christina is a TV and Film junkie who also spends an incredible amount of time reviewing skincare products she can barely afford.

TL:DR

Good for: Dinner - Pre-Drinks – Groups – Late Night Drinks

Food: Full Kitchen

Happy Hour: No | Bottle Service: Yes | Wine: Yes | Beer: Yes

 

DAMAGE

Wood Eye - N5000

House of Zombie - N5000

NOSA: This week, my Weekender playlist sounds exactly how I imagine Fridays should sound. Not Fridays in Lagos though, those sound like car horns and sweat. Hopefully, this transports you somewhere sane. 

ALSO, here's what you should be getting up to this weekend:

EAT: Sunday Lunch with Benedict

NOSA: Ben invited us along with a bunch of other "food industry people" to sample his new lunch menu. 

I was a bit skeptical when I saw the prices initially, but after seeing the portions, it makes sense.

FOLLY: Big skeptical.

NOSA: As a professional Meal Prepper, the trays are about the right size to get you through a week.

FOLLY: If you'd get bored of eating the same thing all week, another use case is Sunday Lunch. No one will even know you didn't cook it.

NOSA: Post church cooking can be stress, which explains why Southern Sun brunch on Sunday is always fully booked. So yeah, Ben's trays kinda make sense.

 

DRINK: South Socials

NOSA: Drink Lagos contributor, Lala, is doing a thing at South this weekend. 

FOLLY: Check out her hilarious last review of the drinks at Peppercorn. 

“Presenting South Socials which starts this weekend. Come hang out with friends and other amazing people. pitchers, platters, shisha and more for you and your friends. Music by VVADA. Make sure to reserve a table so you can sit and have a great time with friends.”

 

LAGOS: Off Beat Live

EMEKA: Come round to the Baroque Age Studio this Saturday. Let's jam to some urban dance tunes brought to you courtesy of AYE! and let's stream it all live for the culture to see & appreciate. 

When AYE! does some shit like this...You bring your bottle and dancing shoes. Call 0808 836 7920 when you arrive at the gate and we will get the security to let you in (Estate woes).