On the way from Gollagul Tower to Bole Medhanealem, a few metres away from Adey Abeba stadium, lies The Spot Classic Bar. The lights reflect on the name at the topmost, right above the drinks display. A couple of high table seats inside create a modern vibe within the narrow space. The outside arrangement faces a wide alleyway mainly used as parking. Customers in their 20s and 30s prefer the freezing outside scenery, snuggling with Gabi, a traditional cotton-made blanket provided by the bar in a manner that recreates the feeling of being in the chilly towns located north of the capital.

The Spot has another item in common with the countryside besides the chilly night and the perfumed Gabi, commonly worn during this weather; a distilled, colourless, traditional liquor- Areqe.

Stored in a recycled bottle with ropes wrapped around it, the place's specialty is a cocktail mixed with this local drink and eight different flavours.

"There are two house rules; never take shots nor any leftovers," said Eyuel Leulseged, manager of the bar.

David, 29, was having a grape-flavoured Areqe in his car parked outside the place. Holding his 44ml single shot glass carefully, he talks about how far the local drinks have leveled up. He has been a regular at the Spot ever since he found out about the place, abandoning his usual hang-out place. He tried to equate the effects of four shots with 10 beers that made perfect sense to him economically.

The place has been in business for over a year with two owners, Fiseha Girma and Abu Regassa. Fiseha says that customers that used to order take-outs are now comfortable enough to stay and enjoy the view. He believes that local drinks are making their way to the modern-set spots luring in more customers.

"Business has really improved," he said.

The supply chain goes back to Debre Birhan, 120Km northeast of the capital, known for its Areqe produce.

Abu said that the place is swamped by people coming for the music besides the drink on weekends. According to him, customers usually have four to five glasses, with a single shot of Areqe sold for 50 Br.

On the same street, an old-looking liquor house Bahiru Areqe is open to accommodate low-income customers. The blue paint gives the house a deem visual with chattering noise and loud laughter from customers at the entrance heard frequently.

Hanging a chisel and hammer on one shoulder and holding his shovel in the other hand, Tesfaye Geleta, 42, a construction worker, was looking after his drunk friend leaving the premises jagged through the road. Sitting alone on the bench made for four people, with a smile on his face, he had four double shots of Areqe and could barely talk. He has a conviction that a person must have Areqe regularly.

"How else can one manage the pressure in life?" he asked. He usually spends up to 100 Br for the Areqe with one shot glass costing 20 Br and staggers home. He said that he cannot afford to drink anything else.

"I can only dream of Johnny Walker," he said.

A little over four kilometres from Bole Medhanealem, people that appear to reside in different economic classes were consuming local drinks at the Christmas bazaar at the Addis Abeba exhibition centre. Booths with local drinks were crowded, with people stopping by to buy bottled Areqe, among other beverages. The 100 Br price for half a litre of Areqe did not seem to bother the customers compared to the 5,000 Br price tag on Black Label Whiskey.