“We don’t have customers, we have guests here.” I’m sipping on a sumptuous cocktail while chatting with the owner of the charming Academy 32 in old Nicosia, a person who doesn’t really believe in viewing his bar as a business. For a start, the wonderfully converted 1901 building tucked away right on the Venetian Walls at the Constanza Bastion is also the owner’s home, and it’s his pride and joy.
In the far corner of the candlelit courtyard, the well known Charis Ioannou and friends are playing their groovy jazz beats that resonate through the space. The place is filled with a mature crowd, some sipping on cocktails, others indulging in a glass of good quality wine. Design wise, everything has been laid out with impeccable style and fine ambiance but nothing fits in with the norms. Just to set things straight, the place in itself is not just a bar and can hardly be placed within any one defining category.
Opened up back in the summer of 2010 by maestro Yiannis Hadjiloizou, the idea was that of combining “music, wine and art” in a space where crowds can enjoy world class live music, fine wine and inspiring local art work.
With the bar housed within the Cyprus Academy of Music, all sorts of classes take place during the day. With an emphasis on all things local, the really interesting thing about this venue is that all the wines on the list are Cypriot.
While the wine list which changes with the seasons has been carefully composed by Oenologist Lefteris Mohianakis, the cocktails have been thought up by champion bartender, Takis Antoniou of Anassa Hotel. Some of them, like The Magic Flute, are named after the repertoire of classical music. If you’re in the mood for tantalising your taste buds with another type of tipple, you can also sip on a carefully selected choice of speciality beers, Armagnac and Single Malt Whiskey.
Wine suites – or more commonly called flights – also give you opportunity to taste all different kinds of wine accompanied by selection of traditional dried fruit and brittle. And if you’re really hungry, there’s also a sumptuous food platter on offer complete with local cheeses, fruits, cranberries and cured meats. As for the winter season, there’s plenty of mulled wine on offer made with a unique twist.
Tomorrow night will see the Cyprus Big Band work up a frenzy within the Academy while the website listed below gives a full look ahead of events coming up including a classy New Year’s celebration.
Academy 32
Housed in the Old Town Mansion of the Cyprus Academy of Music located right on the Venetian Walls at Constanza Bastion. Constantinou Paleologou 32, Nicosia (Old Town). Tel: 22- 760073. Website: www.academy32.com (with regular updates on all music events)
