The Sandspur

Issue date: 2/26/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment

In the heart of Orlando, nestled on the far side of the tracks on Church Street, lies
Absinthe Bistro and Bar, recognizable only by the red neon sign on the patio's overhang.
It is 11:30, and the muffled thump of the bass pours from the open side door. On the patio, posh patrons smoke clove cigarettes in the brisk night air. It is Wednesday night, Acid Jazz night.

During normal dining hours, Absinthe Bistro and Bar is an upscale restaurant serving an extensive French cuisine. The menu includes entrées like Chicken Coq au Vin and Duck Cassoulet with Navy Beans, as well as a long list of gourmet cheese ready to order. Dinner hours are from 5-10 on Monday through Thursday and to 11 on Friday and Saturday. A late night menu is also available.

In case you were wondering, Absinthe's bar does indeed serve absinthe, and yes, absinthe is banned in the United States. However, the bar stocks a version of the
original absinthe recipe. On the bar and bistro's website, the bar state's that its absinthe is "still the same aromatic, 110 proof, dazzling emerald green liquor made from a combination of exotic botanicals. The only difference is they replaced Wormwood, the botanical that caused the hallucinations and the US ban, with a less bitter cousin called Southern-Wormwood, also known as "Petite Absinthe," which allows us to serve it in the United States." Contrary to popular belief, the serving of absinthe is not the bar's only attraction.

What draws the crowd is the music. On Wednesday nights, Absinthe presents live acid jazz. From 9:30 to 1:30, one can come see local performers Bobby Kobele (Junkie Rush and Rollins College professor), Rion Smith and Matt Lapham (Florganism and Shak Nasti) tear it up in the Green Fairy lounge (an extension of the bar) for no cover. In other words, this mind numbing jazz is absolutely free. Insane.

On Monday nights, Stand Up Comedy followed by The Absinthe Minded Improv Comedy Troupe starts at 9:00pm. O-Rock 105.9's Carter hosts the "Cellar Room Social" in Orlando's only underground wine cellar from 8pm to 11pm on Thursdays. Friday's are home to Final Table Tour Texas Hold'em Tournaments.

Absinthe Bistro and Bar is located inside the Bumby Arcade at Church Street Station. Look for the Green Fairy toward the back on the left hand side of the lobby behind The Café. For more information please go to www.absinthebistro.com.

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