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Five Paris bars to visit during the Olympics
All eyes are on Paris this summer due to the 33rd edition of Olympic Games and we’ve rounded up five bars to visit for those lucky enough to be in attendance.
From the sophisticated speakeasies to the laidback neighbourhood hangouts, the French capital collects world-class cocktail bars like its an Olympic sport. Paris would no doubt be a frontrunner if there was such a category. Whether you’re looking for technical wizardry and innovation, or the classics done just right, the city has got the lot when it comes to places to drink.
If you’ve managed to score tickets to any of the events at this summer’s games, or are even just visiting the city, be sure to make some time at night for these venues, after the sport is all said and done.
The Cambridge Public House
Recently anointed the world’s first B Corp bar, The Cambridge – located in the the Marais – is based on the classic British pub, meaning it’s the perfect place to then have too many pints and chat about the Olympic happenings until the owners call for last orders.
While the Guinness on tap is hard to ignore (especially when paired with the bar’s buttery French-inflected sausage rolls), behind the pub stuff lies one of the city’s best cocktail programmes – updated regularly to ensure peak seasonality. A top pick is the team’s ever-evolving Pimms-inspired cocktail, currently made with Fizzy ‘Pimm’s, Cocchi Americano, rosé, Hendrick’s Gin and Serappy’s Bitters’.
Address: 8 Rue de Poitou, 75003
Little Red Door
A cornerstone of Paris’ cocktail scene, there was worry that Little Red Door would be no more when it entered a period of administration earlier this year, however Hugo Gallou and Hyacinthe Lescoët (co-founders of The Cambridge above) picked it up to ensure it was in good hands.
As you might expect, it’s behind the little red door on Rue Charlot, and from there guests can hunker down on comfy chesterfield sofa, or perched up on the silky blue stools, and get to know a menu of sustainably-designed cocktails, with each on the list built around local French produce. After a day of losing your voice cheering on the athletes in the stands, the more peaceful speakeasy-esque atmosphere here makes for a nice change of scenery, too.
Address: 60 Rue Charlot, 75003
Le Syndicat
Hidden behind a wall papered with posters and covered in graffiti, Le Syndicat doesn’t need glitz and glam to shine, instead the focus is on pouring quality drinks and purveying a mighty fun time, both backed by a boisterous hip-hop playlist.
A torch-bearer for French spirits, the bar is famed for dealing exclusively in ingredients native to its homeland, so the Espresso Martinis are made with Cognac and the Pornstar with Armagnac, while mixers and herbs are local too. Founder Romain Le Mouëllic dubs the theme ‘grandpa spirits going gangsta’. If the Olympics don’t strike up a feeling of patriotism, this will.
Address: 51 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris
La Commune
Founded by the same team behind Le Syndicat, and therefore possessing a similarly cool edge, La Commune has a tropical canopied terrace at its disposal, which is best made of us via its rum-laden punches that are perfect for sharing with pals before a night on the town.
If you think those weightlifters at the games are strong, try a few of the these big things, which come in ornate copper bowls and are doused with rum from France’s territories in the Caribbean. For extra heat, The Caribbean Queen Punch combines dark rum with Jamaican pepper, pineapple, ginger beer, lime and pimento peppers.
Address: 80 Bd de Belleville, 75020
CopperBay
Light and bright spaces with a good level of quiet and drinks that both intrigue and impress – that’s CopperBay, and you can’t ask for much more after a long hard day of watching sport.
The team even added a second Paris venue to the original spot on Rue Bouchardon recently, in Hôtel Lancaster on the Champs Elysées, and alongside their signature menu have crafted five Olympic-themed sour cocktails, each inspired by a different sport. In honour of the athletes, we recommend you try them all…
Address: CopperBay at Hotel Lancaster: L7 Rue de Berri, 75008
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