If you’re looking for a spot to get the party started, then Geronimo Shot Bar may be where it’s at. The establishment specialising in the art of drinking shots hails from Japan and definitely means business when it comes to partying.
Situated in the midst of the craziness that is Lan Kwai Fong, Geronimo sits mildly on the second floor of Winner Building. Inside, the decor half-heartedly displays the native American theme the bar associates itself with, Geronimo being the well-known Apache leader famous for his battles with Mexican soldiers in the late 1800s. There are dream catchers hanging from the bare walls and a few rustic markings of birds and wooden figurines propped up here and there. If what you’re going for is a classy establishment, you may want to look elsewhere.
The centrepiece to the room’s decor is the wooden board topped with a stern-looking chieftan’s head – feathers all ruffled up and paint all marked on cheekbones – and a scorecard of sorts with tally marks next to various people’s names. It turns out that these are names of people who have banged on a drum to make it known that they want to buy a round of shots for everyone in the entire bar. Shots are $50 per head for the whole bar and $60 if you purchase individual ones. The top drum banger – the person who’s bought the most round of shots for the month – receives the title of ‘Chief of the Month.’ The top nine contenders are crowned ‘Apaches of the Month’ and the rest receive a name scrawl mention. The numbers per month on the board are surprisingly high. We go in the middle of the month and notice that a couple of patrons have already ordered several hundred – yep, you heard correctly – several hundred shots already. Didn’t we mention that this is a place meant for serious partying?
There are more than 40 shots for you to choose from in addition to the regular unmixed staples. Some of the names are colourful to say the least, and can cause a serious blush or two if you are prudish. Sectioned off as ‘juicylicious’, ‘layered’, ‘lethal’ and ‘milky’, we decide to try out one shot each from three of the four categories. We go for the Geronimo, the Joe’s Ass and the 3 Wise Men. Geronimo is the bar’s staple and it’s a sugary blend of rum, cassis, lemon and cranberry. Joe’s Ass is a pleasant, sweet little thing with hints of cherries and peach liquor. The 3 Wise Men, comprised of Jack Daniels, Jim Beam and Jose Cuervo, is definitely lethal. There are so many different textures and lingering tastes going on here that it can be hard to stomach for many.
These shots are average-priced and decent enough to knock back. They’re not anything spectacular but then again, no-one ever really goes to a shot bar for the quality of the drinks, right? So if it’s the lively, convivial atmosphere you’re looking for, then get your (Joe’s) ass down here! Janice Jann
2/F Winner Bldg. 27-39 D'Aguilar St, Lan Kwai Fong; 2833 9951.