It’s not the same generic barhopping excursion you can replicate just anywhere. Within a quarter-mile walk in Kensington lies the idyllic trifecta of The International Bar, Four Humours, and Fermentery Form; a drinker’s heaven composed of whimsically unique beverages, distinct settings, and experiences. If you want to impress your friends and show off your knowledge of beverages, this is the jaunt for you.
Start your journey by snagging a traditional stool, or, weather permitting, an outdoor table at The International Bar. If you can catch the 5-7 pm happy hour, a $4 rotating beer selection and $7 daiquiris await. Hard-to-beat HH prices aside, the normal drink menu features an array of creative cocktails, from takes on classics to seasonal libations. Fill up on items like birria bao buns, miso butter beer mussels, zaatar cauliflower, or whatever else you fancy from their intentional food menu. Recently, the Intl team added personal-sized, Ooni-fired pizzas to their Thursday and Friday menu as they gauge interest in further rollout.
Next, make your way up a few blocks to Fermentery Form on Palethorp Street. It’s just a five-minute walk, and the farthest distance you’ll cover on this journey. If you aren’t looking for FF specifically, or already know where it is, you can easily overlook the unassuming double-door entrance within the dead-end alley. Explore beers made from mixed fermentation, aged with oak, and often in contact with wine grapes or various fruit macerations. Flavor profiles range from fruity and tart to woody and sweet. Spicy? Sure. Crisp? You bet. Operational hours are limited to just Friday and Saturday, unless otherwise noted, making the second leg of this trifecta a tricky one. But what they lack in availability, they make up for with time dedicated to their craft.
Finally, backtrack around the corner to Four Humours, a craft distillery and cocktail bar serving up house-made whiskeys and boasting a cocktail program built to compete with the best. The research and commitment show. Creating high-end original spirits is no easy feat, and consistently pairing the effort with new concoctions makes a splash amongst regulars and newcomers alike. Try drinks like the Chip on Your Shoulder, a celery and corn-infused reposado, made with onion simple syrup and topped with spicy pineapple foam, or the Pho-Gettabout It, an agave-based cocktail infused with pho broth, ginger, lime, and basil.
Any given day, visiting one of these Fishtown staples should be considered a treat. Playing tic tac toe and lining up all three is a move for victors.