Think of a topic, within reason, and there’s bound to be a themed restaurant related to it somewhere in the world. For example: Healthcare. I’m not sure about you but I can’t think of a more unappetising theme to be immersed in when attempting to eat, but obviously some people disagree and frequent these establishments on a regular basis.
Heart Attack Grill
The Heart Attack Grill in Arizona have proudly been serving life threatening food since 2005. Their menu consists of delicacies such as Bypass Burgers (Single through to Quadruple) and Flatliner Fries. According to their fascinatingly inelegant website they’re currently casting for a 10 week weight gain contest and they clearly aren’t ashamed. If the waitresses weren’t dressed as nurses I’d consider taking a stand and never visiting.
Pharmacy
Opened in 1997, Pharmacy Restaurant in Notting Hill, London, was the first high-profile restaurant of its kind. It was backed by Damien Hirst and, as with all things attached to the ridiculously rich artist, caused a stir even before it had opened. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society for one were unhappy with the choice of name and claimed that people not in-the-know could become confused. As for the restaurant itself, diners were offered a choice of cocktails with medical names, surprisingly good food and a men’s room which was home to a selection of medical waste contained behind a glass wall. Army Chap, as it was renamed in the end, closed in 2003.
Hospitalis
I really don’t believe there’s a restaurant in the world as committed to the hospital theme as Hospitalis in Latvia. Drinks are served in scientific flasks, waitresses dress as nurses, meals are delivered with surgical utensils instead of cutlery and enormous cakes are made with toppings shaped like body parts. They even supply straitjackets for hardcore diners.
Psycho Donuts
The medical theme has even reached donut stores, as showcased by Psycho Donuts in California. It was only opened in March of this year but the owner has already been forced to change two of the donut flavours – specifically ‘Bipolar’ (now called ‘Mood Swing’) and the innocent sounding ‘Massive Head Trauma’ (now ‘Headbanger’) – due to complaints from locals and even the National Alliance on Mental Illness. They’ve even agreed to remove the padded cell from inside the store.
Clinic
Yet another hospital themed restaurant can be found in Clark Quay, Singapore. It’s called Clinic and yes, it boasts waitresses dressed as nurses. As well as serving cocktails and shots with such names as Nitro-Sangria and Sex on a Drip, drinks can also be ‘injected’ into customers’ mouths via syringes. You can even be seated at your favourite table in a wheelchair.
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