The Bars to Watch 2014: Europe

Shunning the economic crisis, Ibiza and Paris plough through to take centre stage in our European Bars to Watch 2014, writes Jim Wrigley

Ibiza has reinvented its image to become a leading destination on Europe’s cocktail map

Despite operating under a burdensome economic climate, French and Spanish bars lead the charge in this year’s list from Europe. With a rich historical cocktail culture, Paris is consistently at the forefront of the European drinks scene, offering an abundance of excellent imbibing experiences throughout the city.

Meanwhile Spain’s party island, Ibiza, is rapidly changing its reputation from a “Brits abroad” destination to a sultry, luxurious location for travellers looking for a more laid back, indulgent trip. It’s all about breathing in the Mediterranean joie de vivre at these new lifestyle bars.

Elsewhere, Antwerp is carving itself a firm spot on the European cocktail map, while Frankfurt is making waves in Germany.

Click through the following pages to discover The European Bars to Watch in 2014.

Europe Bar to Watch: Experimental Beach Club, Ibiza, Spain

The latest in the Experimental Cocktail Club global empire, which opened this summer, is a departure from the usual decadent interiors of their award-winning bars in Paris, London and New York.

Firstly, it’s almost entirely al fresco, with light wood and white washed walls in the restaurant sloping down past white sofas towards the white day beds, from all of which you can participate in the relaxed Ibiza pastime of watching the island’s famous sunsets.

Food is a big focus too, with simple fresh dishes highlighting the quality ingredients.

Drinks range from an extensive wine and Champagne list to a predictably well-executed cocktail menu. The mixed drinks are all available as sharing punches should you so desire, and include suitably sunny concoctions like the Pineapple Express, a twist on the Piña Colada served in a large frozen pineapple.

Also recommended: Little Red Door, Paris

Using an exclusive key to gain access through a little red door from which the bar gets its name is just the beginning of the experience at this speakeasy-style gem.

Drinks are intricate and sumptuous, and include numerous house-made syrups and fresh botanicals – which you’d expect from an ex-ECC and Park Hyatt team.

Tapas-style food is available for the puckish drinker, and the décor is stylishly comfortable, with a mezzanine from which you can watch the Haut Marais locals at play.

Sherry Butt, Paris

Another slightly hidden side-street Parisian bar, Sherry Butt is made up of two long rooms lavishly decked-out in leather and mirrors, low-lit and cosy.

The 11-strong drinks list from the ex-PCC and Curio Parlour team is interesting and accessible, using yuzu and umeshu amongst other esoteric and house-made ingredients. They also offer whisky flights that can be tailored to your preference.

Cellar @ Cocktails at Nine, Antwerp

At Cocktails at Nine you will find Patrick America and the team bartending for the trendy gang of Antwerp. If you are lucky enough to engage him in a conversation, you can ask about how to get to his secret venue known only as the Cellar, hidden a few blocks away.

If you manage to find the place you’ll enter a 500-year-old Flanders Cellar where the furniture and barrels have been re-arranged, but are original to the cellar – and in some cases as old.

The Cellar only opens once America is finished at Cocktails at Nine, and moves through to the Cellar to play the consummate host. Also, brands don’t feature here – America specialises in working with sugars from all around the world and likes to experiment with the fermentation process. This results in perfectly-balanced drinks that are delivered with humility and a copious amount of knowledge.

The Parlour, Frankfurt

Yared Hagos of Roomer’s Bar opened this more open-plan joint last year to great local acclaim. Ignoring the trend towards hidden speakeasy-style bars, The Parlour is intentionally open yet with the cosy atmosphere of a comfortable living room.

Limiting the amount of people in the bar is all part of this, allowing the bartenders room to expedite delicious well-prepared drinks in a timely fashion. Cocktails are intricate and visually stunning, utilizing the bar’s impressive range of spirits.

Hidden Bar, Ibiza

Featured in last year’s list, Hidden Bar has gone from strength to strength over the last 12 months, becoming a Mecca for the bar industry on tour.

With ECC’s new bar and the likes of Charles Vexenat already firmly entrenched in the Ibiza bar and restaurant scene, the Spanish island is no longer seen as just a place for dancing the nights away at Pacha and Space, armed with €10 bottles of water.

Chris Edwardes and Amanda Blanch have created a wonderful “Alice in Wonderland” haven here, with beautiful drinks, home-made liqueurs and Tequila vermouth, as well as a mini-golf course, table football and ten-pin bowling – all encased within sweet gardens and just two minutes’ walk from the beach.

It’s no wonder they’re planning to build on their success. Edwardes is looking to begin producing a Hidden Bar signature beer, as well as take the bar’s renowned drinks and service to the whole island through new venture, Hidden Events.