Apothecary

Tucked in the West Lake area, Apothecary Bar (sometimes stylized as APOTHECARY or Pharmacist Apothecary) is one of Hangzhou’s more intriguing cocktail lounges. From the street, it hides behind a discrete façade. Inside, the design leans toward the aesthetic of a vintage pharmacist’s lab: shelves of apothecary drawers, herbal motifs, dim light, and a color palette of black, gold, wood and deep shadows. The bartender may reach into real drawers of botanical ingredients to create drinks, offering a sense that your cocktail is being “prescribed.” The menu focuses on “medical / herbal” cocktails — drinks that incorporate Chinese medicinal herbs (e.g. isatis root, chuanxiong, chrysanthemum) combined with more conventional spirits and global ingredients. One review notes a herbal wine cocktail where bitterness, sweetness, and floral notes balanced well, describing it as “a signature Chinese medicine mixture as base.” The bar also presents its visual signature aesthetic — the “bar looks like a Chinese medicine shop” with drawers and cabinetry, but used in the bar context. Despite its niche style, guest reviews mention a relaxed, elegant ambiance. The space is not huge, so crowding can happen on weekends. Some reviewers advise arriving early to avoid long waits. The clientele is described as local and insider rather than tourist crowds, and the bar appears on local “best bars in Hangzhou” lists. In short: Apothecary Bar is a cocktail lounge with a twist — the medicinal and herbal world meets drink craft, wrapped in a moody, immersive environment that rewards curiosity and slow sipping.