I have been eyeing this bar for a while now, as a fan of the occult and a good themed space. So when looking for a spot to celebrate my birthday at, I made reservations for Arcana. Plus, I also heard that during your birthday season they have a zodiac cocktail you can order, and it comes with a matching pin.
A sign declaring the space as a Pet Psychic marks the bar, and a sandwich board under it states that they are “Not a Psychic”, but a tarot bar instead. This whimsy, coupled with the neon tarot card lights and the red glowing cartoon goat head speaks well to the overall decor within.
Inside, it is as dark, spooky, and magical as I expected. The bar centres the bottom floor with giant tarot cards lining its base and a just as large ouiji board hanging over it. Ornate lamps and crystal chandeliers barely illuminate, so the projected light displays and the Zortar fortune telling machine easily catch your eye.
We were seated on the upstairs mezzanine that included back-lit, faux stain glass windows of skulls and cups. This would later play well into the biblical theme of our cocktails.
Even the coasters are cute and worthy of coveting. They are giant ouiji board pointers made from a thick wood-like material. They even have a hole at their centre to be able to use on our ouiji board carved table.
The drink menu did well to describe each cocktail, listing its ingredients, as well offering tasting notes.
As I intended, I ordered the Lion’s Pride, aka the Leo zodiac cocktail. Described as juicy, tangy, and robust it was served in an a lion bowl with a color changing lights. The latter intended to represent Pride, which coincides with the month. It is finished with a flaming peach slice for theatrics that both Leo’s and the LBGT community can appreciate.
Dandelion Reposaso Tequila, Peach, Lemon, Sunflower Seed Orgeat, Ginger, Peychauds Bitters, and Absinthe. With the absinthe and dandelion mix this had a Chinese herbal medicine-like quality to it. Something I would think more befitting of an earth sign. I would imagine that for a fire sign the drink would be more spicy and bold, befitting of the king of the jungle and the celebratory month.
Between two different Leo pendants, I choose the enamel pin as my take home prize.
My partner ordered the Fallen Angel for the novelty of it being served in a hollowed out bible. He also liked that this was basically a classic old fashioned, made with Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Rittenhouse Rue, Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth, and Lillet Blanc.
You had to work for your cocktail with this one. After opening the non-descript bible and deciphering the password that you enter it into the 3 digit combination lock, it opens the miniature safe to reveal a tiny coffin shaped flask. This holds your cocktail that you pour into a glass tumbler with a pentagram stamped ice cube. The whole process goes back and forth between good and evil imagery. I will not ruin the surprise experience, but instead suggest that you try it for yourself to see.
For round two we went for cocktails named after tarot cards, given the theme of the bar. We were delighted to learn that each comes with a keepsake gold foiled tarot card that matches the name of the drink.
The Magician looked like lemon meringue pie in a glass. Its description promised magic, hence the name. Where this sweet citrus mix is transformed by the use of Szechuan”buzz button” flower extract. It is said to temporarily change your sense of taste. Wray & Nephew Jamaican Rum, Strega, Pineapple, Lime, Coconut-Vanilla Foam, and topped with Gold Electric Dust.
I got boozy lemon pie that tingled at the end. Glad it tasted like how it looked, but sad that it did not wow me with magic. The “tingle” was not a change in taste and it was only noticeable on the first 2 sips, which leads me to believe it was sprinkled over top of the drink. A fun idea, but a weaker outcome.
I think the The Fool was named after its nuttiness. As a Filipino-inspired twist on a mojito with a complex, nutty finish. Plus the collection of ingredients together read like they would not match. Tanduay White Rum, Akvavit, Bianco Vermouth, Pandan Syrup, Lime Acid, Peppermint Extract.
It was nutty as the description perfectly described. Refreshing to start, it ends heavy in the mouth. I was genuinely baffled by how they got this flavour profile, especially with the distinct flavours of Akvavit (gin without juniper) and peppermint. Sadly they ran out of The Fool cards so I got a miss-matched The Lovers instead.
Truthfully their cocktail program is so exciting and fun that I was expecting something similar from the food menu. There are a few items you can order with a creative component, like a burn away cover to reveal the burger, and the sliders below stamped with a pentagram. Other than that the food is straight forward, and not all that complimentary to the drink listing, outside the fact that both are elevated experiences.
The Wildwood Mushroom Polenta was harvest mushrooms in a chive-infused polenta with scallion emulsion, Romesco sauce, and a sprinkle of Grana Padano cheese. A hearty vegan and gluten free option with a crispy crust and a refreshing herb sauce. This makes for a nice side, but felt like it was missing a main as is.
The Salem Sliders are three sliders with your choice of filling. This makes for a great share plate and opportunity to taste their kitchen with one order. We would try all 3 of their options below.
The Bison with tomato jam, mustard-gherkin relish, and smoked cheddar was their take on the classic burger. Great to pair with a night of drinking, especially with its strong sour pickling. I just would have liked a gravy or sauce to help temper all that heavy dry bison meat. Here, I would have preferred a classic, smashed all-beef patty instead.
I liked the Lamb slider with goat cheese, arugula, pickled cucumber and mint crème fraîche; but just not as a burger. Maybe over a crostini or as an open face sandwich over a baguette. A dressier base befitting of the protein, that was rich and tangy.
My favourite of the three was the vegetarian with chive goat cheese, orange and dill marinated beet, arugula and pickled vegetables. There was plenty of flavour in this between the salty cheese and fresh crisp greens, rounded out by the zip of the mayo. It was really nice and well conceived.
My partner loved the Ritual Steak Tartare, declaring this the best he has ever had. Premium diced steak in chive crème fratche and egg yolk emulsion, and with a scallion emulsion and cornichon-caper dressing. Served with crostini as the base. It had an enjoyable fine texture, more like the paste of a terrine and therefore more palatable. Here, the accoutrement helps to build on the raw beef with cream and egg.
In closing, we had a great time exploring the setting and playing with our drinks. I would recommend them as a cocktail bar with snack options, but not my first choice for dinner.
Don’t forget to get your fortune from Zotar on your way out. Totally worth the fun.
Arcana Food and Spirits
238 Abbott St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2K8
(604) 336-4006
arcanabar.com
