Watusi, a retro cocktail lounge inspired by the Mad Men era, recently opened on the burgeoning Ossington strip. The restaurant, which hosted an opening party April 2, is owned by Allan Thomson (Sotto Voce) and Jill Dickson and Darryl Fine (Shanghai Cowgirl and the Bovine Sex Club). The trio called on 3rd Uncle Design to create a classic '60s feel with the decor, which features custom wallpaper made with images from pulp fiction book covers in the hallway outside the restrooms.
The space, which holds up to 100, has a long bar topped with reclaimed bowling alley planks—and a lava lamp. Joey Dammit's Pop Art paintings, all of which are for sale, hang on the walls. Polished hardwood floors, retro light fixtures, small tables, and tufted black leather banquettes fill the dining area, which doubles as a dance floor in the late evenings. "We just wanted to have a '60s theme," Thomson said. "And we wanted a sexy feel."
Thomson said naming the space after a popular '60s dance "captured what we wanted the space to be...it sounded fun and hip. It's a relaxed atmosphere, and it's a little bit more mature. It's a different option for this street, another alternative for people who want to come over to this neighbourhood." As for the location, Thomson said, "It's an up-and-coming area and there are lots of places opening. Everybody is getting in on the ground floor. Darryl and I have been shopping around [for the right spot] for a few years."
The menu, created by chef Andrew Kristoff, offers a selection of informal shared plates like chickpea fries with jalepeno dip, Ontario house-smoked picnic pork ribs, and roasted purple eggplant with miso marinade. The cocktail list has a mix of martinis and classic drinks such as the Sidecar, Harvey Wallbanger, and Singapore Sling. "We wanted to bring back some of the old standards," Thomson said.
Watusi is open Monday to Saturday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. The venue is available for private bookings.
