One of the oldest shops in Valletta has returned to its roots and has been transformed into a bar as a tribute to Charles Grech, the man who started it all 131 years ago.
The laid-back atmosphere is how the executive director wanted the bar to be
The bar, with its signature curved glass display windows, exudes elegance and authentic old-world charm. It has been in the same location since 1881.
Housing some of the finest spirits money can buy, the shop has had a few facelifts over the years, turning from bar, to tobacconist, to perfumery and back to a bar recently.
The bar is split into two levels with the basement retaining the tobacconist shop and wine cellar.
When the bar first opened, it drew sailors who would drink and find a woman to while away the time when the ships were in harbour, also earning the appreciation of some of the captions of the most famous battleships in history, executive director Timothy Grech said.
Evidence of its long relationship with the navy adorns the walls of the bar and the head office in Valley Road, Birkirkara, after ships’ captains gave plaques to the Grech family in appreciation of their service.
The bar itself is now on the opposite side of Republic Street to where it once stood, with the original glass top counter being used in the basement to keep cigar boxes, Mr Grech explained.
The classic interior has been tailored to keep in touch with its surroundings with Mr Grech designing tables to mirror the Renzo Piano project in colour and texture.
“I have great faith in Valletta, which was once glamorous, and I’m also a big fan of the Piano project,” he admitted.
Mr Grech’s great-grandfather died aged 52 and the business was taken over by his great-uncle Joe, who sold it to Mr Grech’s father, Godwin, and his uncle, Charles.
From the age of 17, Mr Grech worked in the shop and now, 24 years later, is heading the business. He feels very much part of the family legacy and the bar also reflects his personality. The laid-back atmosphere, unpretentious and relaxing style is how he wanted the bar to be, where people sit and enjoy their drinks in exactly the way they were meant to be enjoyed.
Its collection of fine spirits includes a bottle of Elit vodka by Stolichnaya made from pristine waters gathered from the Himalayan Mountains.
Only 300 bottles exist worldwide and cost some €3,000 each.