A Locals Guide to The Secret Passages of Paris

Mosaic floors, mirrors, and long hallways where you can see the sky; every now and then I see a flock of tourists, heavy coats, scarfs and hats, shuffle down with awe, but for the most part, the pedestrians are local. We know the passages for good spots to eat, for galleries and book stores. There are even some speakeasies tucked away behind these doors.

The Galleries, not to be confused with an art gallery, are synonymous with many things, ‘covered passages’, ‘arcades’, Alex’s favourite touristy place in Paris. Ask anyone who’s visited me.

Connecting Palais Royal to Place Bourse, and then up to Grands Boulevards, the passages are remnants from the Bourbon Restauration. They were created to protect shoppers from bad weather. To keep commerce flowing, even on rainy days, which occur 90% of the time here.

History has it, that at one point during the Belle Epoch, there were 300 of these arcades. Now, there rest only a handful. So, I’ve hand picked the best of them, including a select few that others won’t tell you about.

Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas and Passage Jouffroy

Spanning from Jardin Palais Royal to SoPi, these three distinct and impressive passages run through the middle of Paris.

Galerie Vivienne feels like something from the height of the Belle Epoque.

It has impressive mosaic floors and 19th century chandeliers. Inside you’ll find upscale boutiques, collector’s bookstores, and shops for small gifts and antiquities. At the exit, there is a sublime Italian restaurant called Daraco–who hides one of the best speakeasies in Paris, Danico.

Passage des Panoramas has a grounded, authentic atmosphere.

That’s because it’s the oldest of the passages, dating back to 1800. It’s also the passage to grab a bite.

Lombem serves up cuts of meat and barbecue off its charcoal grill. During after-hours, it houses a sous-soul, an underground Speakeasy. Adar serves some of the best Mediterranean inspired food that you’ll find throughout Paris. Some smaller bites include a location of Clasico Argentino Empenadas, and the Gyoza bar. You’ll also pass a cute Illy espresso bar, which is perfect if you’re just moseying through.

On the other side of Grands Boulevards lies Passage Jouffroy.

Visually, this passage is stunning. High glass ceilings, and lovely, colorful walls. But inside, there are quite a few kitschy things, including tourist traps, the Grevin museum, postcard shops, and an overpriced Mark & Spencer. These things are fine on their own, but they kinda kill the Belle-Epoch vibes.

On the second half of the passage, however, there are a few interesting bookstores and photo galleries.

Passage du Grand Cerf and Passage du Bourg L’Abbe

Passage du Grand Cerf is a colorful walkway near Etienne Marcel. Bright and airy, this passage is known for its craft shops.

There are several antique stores where you can buy small knick-knacks for the house, vintage mirrors, hooks, and knobs for furniture. It’s fun to look at the oddities, even if your not there to purchase. Plus it leads to a very cool neighbourhood.

Passage Du Bourg L’Abbe is vacant in comparison, but still retains its charm.

Passage Choiseul

Near Opera and Japantown, this passage is in the same vein as Passage des Panoramas. There are quite a few restaurants and Cafés. Cafe Joyeux is a cute coffee shop at the far end of the gallery. Homemade financiers, brownies and fresh pressed juice–it’s perfect for a stop, after enjoying some ramen or Bibimbap at the next street over.

Passage De L’Ancre

Photo By: Claude Geourjon

Passage De L’Ancre is a magical walking street near Arts et Metier in the Haut Marais. It’s recognisable for its forested interior and parapluie shop, which looks as if it hasn’t changed in eras.

Stumbling upon this passage was one of the more fantastic experiences of my life here, as it feels like a true micro-climate, cut off from the rest of the world.

Galerie Véro-Dodat

Galerie Véro-Dodat
photo by: Eric Hudson

Nearly hidden from the naked eye, Galerie Vero-Dodat is another pristine arcade located near the Louvre. Once you find the doorway, however, you are transported into a different realm.

I love arcades like this one, because even though it engulfs you, like you’ve entered a museum or a historic monument, there are still artisans and vendors who live their quotidien by selling products from inside these boutiques. Vero-Dodat is host to furniture stores, a luthier, and several art galleries.

Passage de la Main D’or and Passage de la Bonne Graine

Photo by: Jerome Delauney

These twin 11e arrondissement passages are exceptional, because you don’t go them for the Passages themselves, rather to find what’s inside the passages.

East Mamma, the Ledru-Rollin branch of the Big Mamma group, serves the usual favourites of creamy truffle pasta, and a perfect Margarita pizza. Behind the passage lies Buffet, a contemporary French restaurant with delicious plates.

Persil et Mimosa, on Passage de la Bonne Graine is an insider’s café, and it’s as cozy as it is difficult to find.

Passage Brady

This strange passage near Chateau D’eau is known as little India. There are Indian restaurants, plant stores and even a city-renowned spice shop (Velan). On the far end, there is also one of the best bar du quartier of Le Mauri 7.

That being said, I wouldn’t recommend Passage Brady, unless you are heading to Velan or need to cross over to Faubourg Saint-Denis. Some passages in Paris are completely rundown and abandoned, and while this one doesn’t make it’s way into that classification, it still has an eery atmosphere.

Beaupassage

Switching gears to the posh 7e, Beau Passage is something drawn from a Parisian’s dream. This outdoor food court is dedicated to French excellence with award winning Epicureans, and restauranteurs opening next-door to each other in the small corridor. Pierre Hermé, Olivier Bellin, and Thierry Marx are some of the prestigious names on the short-list.

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Newly finished, the passage is a vastly different spirit from the arcades mentioned above. BeauPassage shows that the rejuvenation and care of a small walking street in Paris could lead to a renaissance of an area.

Thanks for reading!

Santé,

Alexander

  • Galerie Vivienne – 5 Rue de la Banque, 75002
  • Passage Des Panoramas – 11 Boulevard Montmartre, 75009
  • Passage Jouffroy – 10-12 Boulevard Montmartre, 75009
  • Passage Du Grand Cerf – 145 Rue Saint-Denis, 75002
  • Passage Du Bourg L’Abbé – 3 Rue de Palestro, 75002
  • Passage Choiseul – Rue des Petits Champs, 75002
  • Passage De L’Ancre – 223 rue Saint-Marin, 75003
  • Passage de La Main D’or – 131 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75011
  • Passage Brady – Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis, 75010
  • Beaupassage – Rue de Grenelle, 75007

The Vibe: A Foray into Sacramento’s Bar Scene

Sactown, the little known capitol of California is the hipster West Coast cousin of New York’s Albany. Trees line each street like one continuous suburb, houses are often separated by backyards, side yards, and alleys. There is space. More space than I’ve known for a while. And when walking down a street, you might pass one or two other people, at which point it’s appropriate to look at them and say ‘Good Morning.’ Wild stuff.

It’s no struggle to find a good café in Sacramento. In fact, little coffee houses inhabit pretty much every corner of the capitol. And there are hipsters inhabiting every stool.

In my humble opinion, hipster culture in the United States has a high correlation with a good bar scene. So, I made a small guide to the culture here from my short visit.

BikeDog Taprooms

We have to begin with beer, because beer is the definitive drink of Sacramento. There is no shortage of breweries in Sactown. They open them in garages, back alleys and storefronts that look like they were once office depots.

And Bikedog brewery is one of the masters.

Communal picnic tables, colorful decor and at least a dozen rotating beers on tap, Bikedog serves some VERY eccentric flavours that in all honesty, wouldn’t fly in Paris. But we’re not in Paris anymore. So why the HECK am I talking about Paris? Speaking of which, there’s also a friendly atmosphere that you wouldn’t find in Paris.

Bikedog has a fun membership program called The League, where you can score free pints and merch with bulk purchases, so you better believe, it’s where the locals go.

Trophy Club

Downstairs, there’s a massive minigolf playground called Flatstick Pub, where people flock in from over the capitol to ‘drink local and putt tipsy’ as they say…but upstairs, that’s where you leave your toys at the door.

This members-only speakeasy is the first of its kind in Sactown, and they make classic yet so-fist-i-cat-ed cocktails. So-fist-icated with a fist because they beat you over the head with it like an old Guy Ritchie movie.

I mean, the Trophy Club is complete with a leather-bound menu, velvet lounge chairs and ornate rocks glasses, vintage photos that recall the Gold Room from the Shining, and possibly the nicest bar bathroom I’ve ever seen. A cigar boxes waits when you’re ready to pay–though I should mention that there are no cigars inside, only a check.

A great friend of mine was able to give us a sneak-peek while we were in town, and we had a very good night.

It was still in setup mode, but when they officially open, this place has all the boxes checked for Sacramento’s best nightcap–after a fun night of mini-golfing of course.

The Snug

Tucked behind a larger bar, which I didn’t get the name of, hides a back room called the Snug. A long bar and dim lighting, a custom cocktail menu and a man-bunned bartender. They had decorations up from Halloween, and a couple of people sat at large leather booths, but I got the sense that this bar was, on normal nights, a lively place.

The expansive liquor shelves, mixers and garnishes should tell you everything you need to know about the Snug. But while the drinks were elaborate, they were not outstanding.

I quite enjoyed the vibe of the bar, however, and would whole heartedly recommend it.

The Jungle Bird

An apropos name for the neighborhood Tiki Bar, the Jungle Bird quickly became a staple after opening a few years back. This vernal oasis serves classics and new takes on Tiki cocktails, and Philippines inspired bites, for a deal too. They have punch bowls that serve 4 or more, so don’t limit it to date night.

The vibe and barmen are voodoo old-school. Hawaiian shirts, leis and indoor shades. Their collection of glassware is beyond impressive, with a unique glass for each drink. While the bar doesn’t transport you out of the city, it’s good, clean fun.

There’s a wide array of other bars in Sactown, ranging from old-school schmoozfest class to hipster I don’t giveadamn, pour the shot bars. This town seems to care more about drinking than commerce, which is another thing that leaves me completely disoriented. *Ahem* It’s a nice kind of disorientation.

A grassy street will lead to a dive bar on the corner. Another alley will lead to a brick-oven pizza place with some mean Mules. A King, a priest and a politician walk into a bar, yeah, that’s because you’re in Sacramento.

Bisous,

Insta: @Negroni.Papi

  • BikeDog TapRoom Broadway — 915 Broadway Suite, Sacramento, CA
  • BikeDog TapRoom West Sac — 2534 Industrial Blvd #110
  • Trophy Club — 630 K St. #3 Sacramento, CA
  • The Snug — 1800 15th St, Sacramento, CA
  • The Jungle Bird — 2516 J St, Sacramento, CA

The Nine Best Cocktails in Paris Under 9 Euros

Paris has several of the world’s best cocktail bars, and for good reason. I mean, the city is mentioned in the same breath as Tokyo, New York, London. In every realm of culture, it’s one of the most influential cities. But two major differences rest between la ville de l’amour and others–population and size.

Big city people know that Paris is small in comparison (2.1 mil), but when you glance at the bill, it adds up to be pretty much the same damn thing.

14€ or 15€ a drink. I don’t think so.

At least, until you do some digging, that’s the only truth you know.

Most ‘Paris cocktail guides’ will give you a list of premium bars. Who likes to drop several hundred on a room, and then drop another hundred to get a buzz?

So, I decided to create a guide for the nine best cocktails in Paris under 9€: The 9-under-9 guide.

Bonhomie

Strasbourg–Saint-Denis

Warm, mid-century accents and complex flavours, that’s what you can expect from this perfect Mezze bar. Situated on a quiet road near Paris’ la mode quarter, Strasbourg-St. Denis, they decided for some odd reason to sell 2 drinks under 9€. Not complaining. Bonhomie is perfect enough to reserve 2 places with those 2 cocktails.

Drinks:

1. Michelada

– Mezcal, Light Beer, Tomato, Olive Juice, and Chili Pepper

2. Levantine

– Gin, Sherry & Za’atar

Red House

Ledru-Rollin

Red House is an outpost for American-expats located near Faidherbe – Chaligny in the 11e. Pinball, Blues music, NFL on Sundays fortify the image of good ol’ Murica. Red House serve great drinks, and what do you know, they are all 8€–except for Negronis (which are 5€!). Americans, once again, prove that the impossible is possible in this bastion of luxury goods and over-priced drinks.

Drinks:

3. Any of them.

Brigette

Goncourt

With a convivial atmosphere, and solid cocktails, Brigette is a casual cocktail bar near Canal St. Martin. The owner, Brigette, a small, blonde woman is very friendly, and her bar reflects that ideal.

Drinks:

4. The JR

-Bourbon, Cynar and Zest

La Loutre Bar

Parmentier

The newest and my personal favourite Les Animaux Bar, La Loutre, has a certain refinement compared to their other two bars. Their paradoxically, cheap yet highbrow cocktails (starting at 8€) are a hallmark of the bars. The other hallmarks include animal puns, animal wallpaper and some frekking splendid hummus. If I lived nearby, I’d be here all the time.

Drinks:

5. Des Chiffres et Des Loutres

– Gin infused with Thyme, Red Vermouth, Fig Syrup, Lime, and Egg White

L’Ours Bar et Le Renard Bar

Chateau D’eau et Belleville

The other two–L’Ours et Le Renard–are also worth a mention. While the newest bar mastered Les Animaux formula, the original: L’Ours, is quality for its good drinks and upbeat atmosphere. Le Renard is a bit like the forgotten middle child. They still serve decent quality drinks for a good price, but when I went the vibe was uninspired and our drinks lacked identity compared to the other animals.

Drinks:

6. La Grande Ours (L’Ours Bar)

Pink Peppercorn infused Vodka, Chartreuse, Rose Syrup, Lime Juice, Ginger Beer

7. Le Jardin Anglais (Les Animaux)

Gin, Cucumber Juice, Cucumber Syrup, Lime

The 46 Bar

Republique

Walking distance from Republique, this New York themed cocktail bar is as meticulous in their craft as they are in their vibe. They have an outstanding Happy Hour, as well as some fair-priced drinks during the remaining not-so-happy hours of the day.

Drinks:

8. Eau Fraiche

Gin, Peach, Soda

The Fifty-Fifty

Parmentier

50/50

You had one job! 50/50’s one and only under 9€ drink makes it onto this list. And it is… a Daiquiri…no catch. This bar does an all-around great job, so my last place on the list can be reserved for this most simple of a drink, because of the bar’s attention to creating a high quality experience.

Drinks:

9. Daiquiri

-Rum, Lime, Simple Syrup

Every bar on this list is located in the 10e or 11e. Sue me.

That gives you some pretext as to what these arrondissements are like, and an idea of where to head in Paris for a cheap, but good quality drink. Each Arrondissement has an identity, and these are the only two who are willing to both care about cocktails, and turn down the snob a bit when serving one–and I’ll forever be grateful for that.

Thanks for reading.

Santé,

Negroni Papi

Please Follow me on Mapstr for more recommendations: @african.bowtie

And Instagram for drink related content: @negroni.papi

The Vibe: A Foray into San Francisco’s Cocktail Culture

Welcome to San Francisco, a city where the only things steeper than the hills are the rent and cocktail prices.

People love to love this city, and also hate to hate it. I’ve met the most proud San Francisconians. When you mention the city’s name, it’s like a light switches on, people are enchanted by the blue waters, colourful victorians and golden–well, actually red–bridge. So, maybe this is a hot take, but I’m lukewarm about SF. 🤷🏽‍♂️

I got love for the Bay area culture, and also my dear friends who live there; I like so many different neighbourhoods and find the history and landscape spellbinding, but for a city that has so much money circulating, where does it end up?

In someone’s pocket, unfortunately.

That being said, the food and drink scene is one of the world’s priciest and best, ranging around $13-16 a glass…before tax and tip.

I rounded up some of the must-see’s as well as some touristy cocktail bars to give you a global picture of one of the world’s most picturesque cities.

Trick Dog

Trick Dog is a powerhouse in creative cocktails. Each month they freshen up their menu, hiring a new artist to create the concept, and then go to work.

When I visited Trick Dog, the menu was fashioned after a space manual from the 60’s. On the cover there was a large black and white photo of the earth from space. Graphics showing gravitational pull, contact with extraterrestrials, images of rockets and beyond spread across the pages, with cocktails and their ingredients somehow wedged in between.

Each drink is accompanied by a quote of some sort; and in reading them it becomes apparent how much detail and how much personality Trick Dog has and how self-aware Trick Dog is, to the point that they invert snobbiness, and instead poke fun at that side of ‘craft cocktail’ culture.

For example; I took a whiskey drink with pumpkin and Fernet listed as ingredients. The first quote says something along the lines of, counterculture needs to be less reactive and more proactive if it wants to make a real impact, (snobby, but true) but then in response, a second quote says, so what if it makes an impact, as long as the drink tastes good, its a good drink, right?

True, and it was a good drink.

I loved that commentary, and I love Trick Dog. It lived up to everything I thought it would be.

ABV

ABV is a Japanese-inspired cocktail bar in the Mission, which was one of my friends favorites’ in the city. It’s also currently sitting at #81 on the world’s top cocktail bars. Whereas Trick dog is the Yang, ABV is the Ying of SF, in that they make high quality classic cocktails without much fuss surrounding menu and decor.

We went on a busy Friday. They stuffed us in, which seemed a bit ridiculous for a bar where you spend $15 a drink. We fought for two seats. And when we won the seats, the bartender had little patience for our indecisiveness. The saving grace of the experience was a cocktail called Gin & Celery.

Gin & Celery sounds simple, and maybe it doesn’t sound interesting, but believe me, it was the best cocktail I’ve had over the past few years. (Since BlackTail’s Rum & Cola)

The Recipe is below:

Gin & Celery

1.5 ozOld Tom Gin
.75 ozLemon Juice
.5 ozSmall Hand Foods Gum Syrup
7 dashCelery Bitters
1 ozTonic Water
1 pinchSalt

A light fizz popping over Gin, Celery Bitters and Lemon creates a deep and textural flavour, like an alcoholic Bouillion on ice.

Tommy’s

I didn’t make it to Tommy’s. But this legendary Tequila bar / Mexican Restaurant is the birthplace of ‘Tommy’s Margarita,’ the supreme version of the drink.

Anina

A small beer garden in Hayes Valley where everyone refuses to use the more appropriate term ‘cocktail patio.’ Because in truth, it’s a high quality cocktail bar with a patio that gets crowded and rowdy to a background of the Minneapolis rapper Atmosphere, and is perfect for after-works, fun date nights, and everything in between.

I had a good negroni. And I had another cask-whiskey drink with banana that upset my stomach. Bad selection, maybe. I’d just read an article that banana was this season’s ingredient.

Peacekeeper

This bar is a convertible. As in, its roof comes off. Wild concept, I know, and once you wrap your head around that, the vibe is great too. Soul and Funk music plays as the bartender’s put fun ingredients like Chili Oil in the drinks. It’s a step down from ABV and Trick Dog in terms of Masterclass cocktails, but Peacekeeper was a cool joint that I’d gladly bring someone.

Vesuvio & Tonga Room

These relics are kept around reminding us how long San Francisco has been important in the cocktail world. The funny thing is that they’re both very much alive. Vesuvio café is a 40’s bar that was frequented by the Beatnic generation, and the Tonga room served a different side, Bourgeoisie San Francisco.

San Francisco takes fine drinking as seriously as fine dining. Ingredients are specified in such detail I couldn’t tell if it was recognition of its importance or a marketing technique.

One thing that surprised me about this city is how much hipster culture has infiltrated the mainstream. No one wants to go to a stuffy cocktail bar anymore. Experimental ingredients, niche music and ‘not the cleanest’ vibe are la mode. I have a hunch that it’s a product of the ‘rating age’ we live in.

You look around at a sea of Patagonia vests and dress shirts and you wonder if the minute details of the bar are appreciated by the clientele. You wonder if any of the other clients at Anina listened to Atmosphere in High School, or care that the ingredients change seasonally like the art on the wall. But then again, if the drinks taste good, it’s a good drink, and that’s all that matters, doesn’t it?

Bises,

Alexander

  • @Trickdogbar – 3010 20th Street, San Francisco
  • @abvsf – 3174 16th Street, San Francisco
  • Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant – 5929 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco
  • @aninabarsf – 482 Hayes Street, San Francisco
  • @peacekeepersf – 925 Bush Street, San Francisco
  • @vesuviobarsf – 255 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco
  • @tongaroom – 950 Mason Street, San Francisco

Portrait: Bonhomie in Strasbourg-St. Denis

I could start with their drinks, but that wouldn’t be fair to their food. I could start with their food but that wouldn’t do justice to Bonhomie’s atmosphere. You’ll find an equilibrium at this Mediterranean themed bar near Strasbourg – St. Denis that is rare in Paris.

The word Bonhomie means a feeling of friendliness among people.

The elegant mid-century decor, touches of flair, vases, and candles wrap you like a warm breeze. But the dark wood accents, and plush leather chairs tell you that they take their craft in earnest.

A Bar in Paris To Make an Impression

The first time I visited Bonhomie, it was a windy night in late fall. The streets were black with glimmering corners of nightlife. A group of Internationals–a Korean, Japanese, Australian, and a Brit–gathered at a small round table for a drink.

It was my first time meeting some of them, and in an international atmosphere, it’s difficult to make everyone feel at ease. Anglophones have an inherent responsibility of making sure they don’t dominate the conversation.

The Allora and Michelada

Bonhomie proved to be the perfect venue for us. The conversation and drinks flowed smoothly. I can’t speak for others, but I left without that residual anxiety from a first encounter, in complete high spirits, with new friends and new memories.

Cour des Petites Ecuries

One of my favorite micro-quarters of Paris, Petites Ecuries is a private walkway on a sunny afternoon and an insider’s party at night. It’s one of those places you seriously won’t know about unless you happen to stumble upon it and have the spontaneity to try something new.

After our group broke up, a few of us decided to go for a small walk through the neighborhood. We fell on this small walking passage.

Half of the city was out on a Thursday with pints of beer, wine glasses and lit cigarettes, laughing, yelling, and looking cool in that particular Parisian way. This stroll was the first time I’d seen the promise of Paris.

The Cocktails at Bonhomie

My most recent visit to Bonhomie was on a breezy, early fall day. The service was chatty behind the bar, as the hour was still early. The sun struck onto the street out front, so the terrace doors were open to air out the place.

We sat, shared small plates and cocktails, our drinks priced at 8€ each (an absurd find in Paris). And.. they were good!

This was my introduction to the Michelada, a savory tomato-based drink with beer and in this variation, Mezcal. The other was the ‘Allora’ a Pastis drink (Southern France Spirit) with Basil, pine nuts and lime.

It didn’t strike me as a drink I’d like when I ordered it, but the savory, smokey sides of the Michelada, were a perfect complement to the tapenade and harissa. It easily registers as a Tier 5: Specialty Drink, as they had a unique take on a fairly arcane cocktail.

The Equilibrium of Bonhomie

Bonhomie is such a well-balanced establishment; from the aromas and visuals, you can feel a passion for high-quality products, but you don’t sense the pretension that normally comes along with that feeling.

That is a rare feat in Paris, a city where pretension is commonplace, and high quality is well, not rare, but sometimes harder to find than you’d think.

As a new opening, I hope that Bonhomie becomes a blueprint for other new openings. Their attentiveness to each sector, food, drink, service, and ambiance makes it a place you want to take a friend, date or parent. It makes you want to recommend it, or put it on a shortlist. It makes you want to try each item on their menu, to return, and most importantly to spend a lot of time at Bonhomie.

Bisous,

Alexander

My First Time Hosting a Cocktail Party in Paris

We’ve settled into our new neighbourhood, near Jardin de Luxembourg in the 6e, and our new flat is large enough that we can finally host cocktail nights. Our last flat, while in a great area for going out, felt packed with more than 6 people. So, I organised a little thing for my upcoming birthday. With a head of fresh home-bartending advice from the Nighthawks Cocktail Course, I decided to try and create a night of my own.

Quickly Creating a Cocktail Menu

My favourite cocktail as most well know is the Negroni. So I based my birthday menu off of the classic. I started with its cousin, a drink that I’ve been wanting to master for awhile, the Boulevardier.

The Boulevardier is a Bourbon drink version of a Negroni that also uses Sweet Vermouth and Campari. So, I used the last two ingredients to brainstorm other drinks.

When creating a menu, choose two drinks that share similar ingredients, yet create something for two different types of people. That way you make sure everyone’s happy, and you don’t overextend your supply.

The French love Rum. And they might not know it yet, but they love Tiki drinks. So I turned to one of the classic tikis: The Jungle Bird, a Rum drink that uses Campari, Pineapple and Lime. While bitter, the drink can easily be sweetened up for those who n’aime pas d’amer Italien.

In researching, I stumbled on a third cocktail called ‘Endless Summer’ described as A Negroni on vacation. I already had the ingredients and the ‘vacation’ is Pineapple juice, an ingredient I was planning on purchasing for the Jungle Bird. Perfect.

Supplies and Preparation for the Night

When looking to do a big load of groceries, I normally head straight to Monoprix. The smaller ‘city’ markets do nothing but frustrate me to no end.

This Saturday morning I was very lucky. I happened across the Edgar Quinet farmer’s market. There I was able to stock up on fresh citrus, herbs, and food to go along with the cocktails. A green olive tapenade with Harissa and Piment D’esplanette from this bohemian dude with crescent shaped earrings was a hit with everyone.

At the farmer’s market, I was also able to get creative with garnishes, and I found good deals on figs and dried fruits. Alas, I still needed to go to Monoprix for non-regional items like Pineapple and Lime.

For my alcohols, I purchased my ‘commons’ (Campari, Sweet Vermouth) at Monoprix, and my ‘specialties’ (bourbon) at Nicolas. Everything else, I already had at home.

Over the week, I’d saved up ice, both large and small cubes. But I broke into my savings early by creating two test cocktails to try the Jungle Bird and the Endless Summer.

How to Make Cocktails for Guests

As my guests trickled in, it suddenly became showtime. My first order for a Jungle Bird came in (told you the French love Rum!!). But I know my friend well, and he doesn’t like Campari.

So I altered the recipe:

Jungle Bird/ L’Oiseau de la Jungle

Rum 1,5 oz / 1,5 oz

Campari ,75 oz / ,5 oz

Lime ,5 oz / ,75 oz

Simple Syrup ,33 oz / ,4 oz

Pineapple Juice 1,5 oz / 1,5 oz

Shake, strain on crushed ice. Garnish with a Cherry and Pineapple Chunk.

It might seem innocuous, but with this small adjustment, the taste becomes more fruity and less bitter. When another friend told me that he liked Campari, I switched back to the original recipe.

A few more orders came in and I already began to lose my organisation. Bottles ended up everywhere, toothpicks were nowhere to be found. I made myself a Boulevardier, wanting to relax for a second.

Boulevardier

Bourbon 1,0 oz

Campari 1,0 oz

Sweet Vermouth 1,0 oz

Build in mixing glass, stir, strain onto a large ice cube. Garnish with orange or lemon peel.

To be honest, 80 percent of what people wanted throughout the night were Jungle Birds. I could’ve made it easier on myself. But instead of doing two (or three) at a time, I kept cooking them out individually. This was the first area that I could’ve improved.

At the end of the night, some of my curious friends wanted Endless summers.

Endless Summer

Gin 1,0 oz

Campari ,75 oz

Sweet Vermouth ,75 oz

Pineapple Juice 1,0 oz

Build in a mixing glass, stir and strain. Garnish with a slice of fig.

Home Bartending Errors from my First Cocktail Party

Host or Bartender?

As with every party, some people show up early, and some late. So, should I greet people or start making drinks? This confusion can easily be solved with a set time for starting cocktails.

Ice, Ice Baby

So, I stocked up on ice all week long. Every time I thought of it, I would empty my tray into a bag, and refill it with water. But that was not even close to being enough. I found myself running low after about eight drinks :/. Filling the shaker, and then filling the glass with ice was too much. Next time, I’ll buy a bag of ice.

Stuck in the Kitchen

Several of my guests said that I spent too much time in the kitchen. With the messiness, with the panoply of supplies in my tiny kitchen, I lost valuable minutes on each drink, that’s for sure. Two quick fixes; ask the room what they want and make two or three drinks at a time; or set-up the drink in the kitchen and shake, stir and garnish in front of everyone.

Be a performer not a chemist. It’s a party after all.

Bises,

Alex

The Nighthawks Cours de Cocktails: Notes and Thoughts

Nighthaxks Cours de Cocktails at La Malicia

Cocktail courses are something of a head-scratcher. You pay quite a bit of money for learning an hour of something that you can ostensibly read online or better yet, in a book (there are hundreds), and then, you spend an hour making cocktails with judgemental classmates, to end up with one drink.

That being said, the cocktail course from Nighthawks was well worth it.

Hosted by Les Raffineurs and created by Nighthawks, the course takes place once a day in the back bar of the back bar of the 1k hotel. Yes, you read that right. There is a speakeasy (la Malicia) inside of another, better known speakeasy (la Mezcaleria) behind the cellar door of the 1k hotel.

Arriving that Saturday, it was almost comedic how casually they led our group past the hotel bar and kitchen into another bar, past a trap door, and into a small, ‘secret’ chamber.

El Proffesor

If you’ve seen Casa Del Papel, you’re familiar with this man. He’s a bit asocial and blunt, knowledgeable and even when explaining, he seems focussed on his craft. He rubs his beard when thinking, and doesn’t look directly at you when answering.

That was Sebastian, a true master and our professor for that day. I didn’t understand his full background, but he has a link with Candelaria and Le Mary Celeste–two of the best bars in Paris that I have yet to go to. If I somehow find him in the future, I’ll give you more on his bio, but from what I understood he was not only associated but an integral part to their respective successes. He responded to our researched questions with acumen and expertise. And if he didn’t know the answer he would turn out an irritated ‘I’ll think about it,’ and return to his lecture. I could tell he was truly dedicated to the game. And he shined as a bar-back, seamlessly guiding us through each step of mixing.

The Sour Family

We began our discussion with the Sour family.

  • 5 parts Alcohol
  • 2 parts Sour
  • 2 parts Sugar

If you follow this formula, you will inevitably find yourself with a sour. Gimlet, Whiskey Sour, Rum Sour–they’re all based here.

The first interesting thing he said was ‘products from the same region naturally complement each other.’ This is why you find for example lime(sour) and cane sugar(sweet) in a Rum based Daiquiri, but lime (sour) and agave syrup (sweet) in a Tequila or Mezcal based Margherita. In a Bee’s Knees, you have a London Gin based cocktail made with Lemon (Sour) and Honey (Sweet). Lemons are more commonly used in Europe than limes, because of their accessibility and price.

We inevitably went through each of the different kinds of the main alcohols, like the Dutch Yellow Gin, as compared to British Clear Gin, and the burgeoning French and Italian Gin producers, Citadel and Jerry Thomas.

Home Bartending Tips & Tricks

He laid out several rules for amateur bartenders:

  • Any brand that sells a hard alcohol under 40% ABV is null, and should not be considered in the creation of a cocktail.
  • Top shelf liquor, or bottles coming in at over 60-70 $, should never be used in cocktails, and should be taken straight. The price doesn’t necessarily determine its usefulness in the cocktail world.
  • One bottle of Alcohol makes about 14 cocktails.
  • Shakers should only be used for ingredients with different densities, for example gin, egg white, simple syrup and lime juice.
  • There is no ‘right’ way to build a cocktail, but he advised us to start with our cheapest ingredient in case you mess up.
  • When hosting an event choose 2 unique drinks for different tastes, therefore you can please everyone and not overextend your need for supplies.
  • Ten minutes is how long one cocktail maintains its optimum level.

He also confirmed the rumour that Bartenders love Negronis. In his circle, they frequently compare and try to improve on their respective recipes.

The Sidecar & The Tommy’s Margherita

Source: Brooklyn Supper

Then it was our turn. We stepped behind the bar, the entire room watching us. My gf and I were each asked a recipe that we want to make; she chose a Tommy’s Margherita, and after a moments hesitation, I chose the Sidecar!

The Sidecar is a drink that I’ve experienced only once or twice in my life, but I know that it’s a beautiful classic. And while I’ve found many variations online, I promise the following recipe he gave me made a great drink:

SideCar

4 parts Cognac

2 parts Chartreuse

1 part Citron Vert

Build on ice, shake and garnish with orange zest.

Tommy’s Margherita

5 parts Tequila

2 parts Agave

2 parts Lime

Build on Ice, shake and garnish with lime wedge, sprinkle Fleur du Sel to taste

How to Find Bartending Supplies in Paris

At the end he listed off a small litany of places to find certain items in Paris. This will be a small guide, which I’ll eventually turn into a big one as I gather more information.

For Bartending Supplies in Paris:

Maison du Barman

Oogy wawa

For Bartending Supplies Delivered to Paris:

Urban Bar

Cocktail Kingdom

For Specialty Alcohols

Maison du Whiskey

For Aromatics

Velan

Thanks for reading! I’m thinking about delving more into flat bartending as I gain more experience. I had the chance to receive this course as a gift from a very special friend, but you can find and reserve a course through Nighthawks here.

Bisous,

Alexander

The Definitive Cocktail Tier List

Warning: This post is for nerdy drinkers, not drink nerds. But we might be two in the same.

If you’ve ever played a video game, rpg, fighting or strategy, then you might be familiar with the term ‘tier list.’ It’s a list organised by tiers (voila) that ranks characters from the best or most effective to the worst or least effective. (Sometimes used for Waifus and Husbandos) Personally, I love these lists, and I wanted to create the first one (or first that I’ve seen) for cocktails.

So, I’ve taken the liberty to create a tier list for different types of cocktails. Each tier measures the potential of the drink.

That’s not to say that a bad Martini, for example, can’t be worse than a great Margherita or Piña Colada. In some circumstances, the latter is 1. more appropriate for the setting and 2. is made with higher quality ingredients, and therefore a better drink.

This post will be updated regularly.

Tier 8: The Well Drink

The Well Drink often gets spilled at the club. It also belongs in the bar you go to before you wait in line for the club. It normally doesn’t taste good. Like cheap liquor and sweetener. That’s because more often than not it is cheap liquor and sweetener. It’s a well drink for a reason, and it’s the cheapest cocktail you can find at any bar.

Examples: Screwdriver, Rum and Coke, Vodka and Tonic, GreyHound, Seven and Seven

Tier 7: The Craft Drink

Often dubbed ‘craft or ‘house’ drink. These are the drinks we learn about after Freshman year. Maybe there was that one bar who did Moscow Mules and pickle backs, or maybe the Generator hostel you were staying at in Barcelona labelled a strong rum and coke with a lime wedge the ‘exotic’ Cuba Libré. These drinks serve their purpose, whether it’s a Mojito on the beach or a Whiskey Smash at a Jockey themed party even though you’ve never been to the downs.

Examples: Moscow Mule, Mojito, Cuba Libré, Smash family (right), Piña Colada, The Lower Sour Family

Tier 6: The House Drink

The difference between a house drink and a craft drink normally lies in one ingredient. You can call it a Craft Drink + 1 or a slight departure, enough that bars feel they can name it themselves. Normally they are solid, and sweet with some kind of berry infusion and cost at least 2€ more than a ‘regular’ craft drink.

Examples: Rhubarb Sour (left) from Jameson distillery

Tier 5: The Specialty Drink

This drink is best reserved for cocktail connoisseurs. It belongs to a recently unearthed group of cocktails, which are making their way back into the heart of drinkers. Often simple to make, they require good ingredients and technique to make properly plus an overall knowledge of cocktail history.

Examples: The Rickey Family, The Higher Sour Family Bee’s Knees, Clover Club, Gin Fizz, Pisco Sour, Michelada (right), Paloma, the Jungle Bird

Tier 4: The Custom Drink

House-made syrups, local ingredients and top technique makes a one of a kind cocktail. You know you’ve stepped into a good bar when they have a small menu of 6-10 drinks that you can only find at that bar. Depending on whether it’s a rum bar or Mezcal, you’ll see that they use specific labels, a sign of experience and moxie.

Example: Des Chiffres et Des Autres from La Loutre in Paris (Gin infused with Thyme, Red Vermouth, Fig Syrup, Lime Juice, and Egg White)

Tier 3: The Classic Drink

These drinks shaped the world. They embody prestige and lineage, and should be taken seriously by any disciple.

Example: Draft Negroni from Danté in New York (Right), Martini, Manhattan, Sazerac, Gimlet

Tier 2: The Perfected Custom Drink

The Perfected Custom elevates itself in a bar of great renown as being either the best on the menu, or a drink of a distinguished excellence. I chose Fuubutsushi by the Little Red Door as an example, because not only is it fantastic drink, its composition is unique. The name, which expresses the change in seasons, parallels this meaning by creating a cocktail of seasonal produce and tea. It literally changes with the seasons.

Example: Fuubutsushi by the Little Red Door (Whiskey, Seasonal Tea, Rice Wine, Terroir)

Tier 1: The Perfected Classic Drink

The pinnacle of cocktails. When everything comes together–bartender expertise, ingredients, location–to somehow elevate a classic drink beyond it’s ceiling. This drink is a once in a lifetime creation, a distinct moment of time, separate from normal life.

Example: Sakura Martini from Bar GOTO

The Exceptions

Like everything in life, there are exceptions. Certain drinks do not fit into a particular tier because of either their cult status, their historical context, or a cultural phenomenon.

Gin & Tonic – The Gin and Tonic can be seen in the collins glass of London socialites and on the HH menu for $4. I’ve seen upscale bars approach it with love and tenderness. For example at Tiger Bar in Paris they have an entire menu dedicated to Gin & Tonics. I’ve also had it plopped in front of me, dripping over my napkin at the dive bar. They range from a Tier 8 Well drink to a Tier 3 Classic drink.

The Old Fashioned – The Old Fashioned on all cases should be a classic drink. It should, but it’s rise to fame through none other than Don Draper has muddled the true classic into a poorly guarded secret. I’ve had some terrible Old Fashioneds since it’s apotheosis, and what makes it all the worse is that it’s normally one of the more expensive drinks on the menu. I’m a bit confused on where to put it. Either a Tier 3 or Tier 7.

Margherita – The Margherita is technically Tequila with sweetened Lime Juice. Viola, a lowly well drink. Although ☝🏽I’d argue that most Margheritas rise above this formula in terms of complexity. Say Tequila, Fresh Lime and Agave nectar–already a better baseline, already in the sour family. Echoing the Gin Tonic, certain bars have perfected the Margherita, and certain bars have contorted it into Punch, a frozen drink or something available on draft. For the purposes of this list, I will place it in the High Sour Family, which I believe belongs in the Tier 5 Specialty drink.

These are just my thoughts. As I mentioned before, I’ll continue to modify and expand this list. Let me know your thoughts. If you have an argument for a specific cocktail, I’d love to hear it.

-Alex

Portrait: The 46 Bar in the 10th Arrondissement of Paris

The 46 Bar is a neighbourhood feel-good, casual cocktail bar between Strasbourg St. Denis and Republique. But unless you see it street-side at the exact right time of day, you might miss it.

They label themselves a true ‘New York’ cocktail bar. Now the 46 doesn’t resemble any bar in New York that I know, but they do make great cocktails and charge New York prices–I guess that’s close enough.

We wandered in on a Saturday afternoon just after opening. They were still shuffling around, setting up tables and cutting up garnishes, but they warmly welcomed us. An old moustached man, who must’ve been the pops of one of them was sitting idle at the end of the bar, beer in a hand as he gazed outdoors at a sunburst that struck the street.

A ‘jungle’ theme is clearly apparent when you walk inside the bar. One wall has faux vines crawling downwards, while the back wall has a painted mural of an exotic landscape. The furniture and lighting are eclectic; rustic lamps and colourful ottomans all fit into this realm of reimagined bohemia called New York.

The Classic Cocktails

I ordered off of their classics menu, which frankly consists of some of my least favourite ‘classics’–Mojito, Caipirihna, Ti Punch. (And I mean no disrespect to my Latino friends, but these drinks are best reserved for the beach and sunshine, not Paris of all places.)

I took a Whiskey Smash. And I sat back with my ‘masses of mint on mountains of ice.’

It was very well done.

The ice was freshly crushed, and the mint, whiskey and sugar were well balanced. And plus it was good-looking.

An Outstanding Happy Hour in Paris

After 6pm, people started trickling in. That’s because all ‘classic’ cocktails drop to 6 Euros, an incredible deal, even for a Mojito.

The crowd was unexpected. A guy with a ponytail and circular glasses passed with his crew of four; a small peppy woman around my age sat with two older women as they gleefully skimmed the menu; two white-haired old timers sat near the entrance.

This Happy Hour seems to be the focal point, and I say this because it’s fantastic. It’s a fantastic reduction. A price that’s so much happier than that of their normal hours. Some of their ‘Original’ drinks–which I’m sure are very good–range upwards to 14€. That’s the same price as some of the best bars of the world.

The atmosphere is cute. A poster advertised a live singer who would play that Sunday. The barmen keep shaking, dashing and garnishing as the day gives way to moonlight.

A New York Cocktail Bar in Paris

As an ex-inhabitant of New York, I love that France’s vision of New York is about as wonky as our vision of Paris. If I had a nickel for every crazy-looking Hamburger dubbed ‘New York style,’ Bernie Sanders would be very happy with all his new anecdotes containing the word nickel. Bright lights, bagels, and Subway (the sandwich chain) are associated with New York, and more recently ‘Williamsburg,’ which has become completely its own brand, a little vassal of France in Brooklyn. New York is seen for its hunks of metal and glass–in basically the same way we see the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre.

The 46 bar does serve hotdogs, unusual for Paris. I didn’t try them, and frankly, I don’t plan on trying them, or taking my New Yorker friends there and telling them, ‘it’s just like NYC,’

BUT I will definitely keep the 46 bar in mind for their great cocktails and even better Happy Hour.

Fin.

Portrait: The Little Red Door in the Haut Marais of Paris

Karim Merekhi

The Little Red Door is less of a speakeasy, and more of an idea. Whereas other speakeasies are hidden by facades–telephone booths, taquerias and dark alleys–this speakeasy rests behind a Ferrari Testarossa of a door. It calls the attention to all who pass.

Le Carreau De Temple – 3e

On a bright Saturday afternoon, I sat on an overcrowded, under-serviced terrace near le Carreau du Temple. The small triangle created by the tree-lined Rue Dupetit Thoars and the looping Rue de la Corderie is one of my favorite areas of Paris.

The day was breezy and fine for July in Paris. The awkward high season of a tourist peak, and a French pre-vacation was hitting Paris. Therefore, any Anglo-Saxon was dubbed a tourist, and every frenchman was ready to leave Paris, but, I guess that’s not particular to this time of year.

Cecile and I cut our losses and paid at the bar. Faked a smile, and said bonjournée. We stood with no plans, and a wide open afternoon. So, I suggested this little ‘speakeasy’ around the way.

A Way With Words by Little Red Door

I’d read online about the premise of the Little Red Door’s new menu ‘ A Way With Words.’ It’s a really nice concept.

The menu is created of words that 1. don’t translate to the English language 2. embody a visceral sensation.

Therefore the translation comes out through the flavours and composition of the cocktail.

When we located this little red door on Rue Charlot, the doorman, a gruff looking fella with a herringbone cap was chatting with a couple of Anglo-Saxons. On the website it reads ‘he often has tea.’ He checked inside for a moment, peeked out and waved them in. About 5 minutes later, he did the same for us.

Contrary to perceptions, you use a trap door located next to the red door. Allegedly, the red door is only used for VIPs.

The Little Red Door

The ambience was dark, lush, with a hodgepodge of fancy imported furniture, decorum and seating choices, which in all honesty, I found a bit incoherent. The layout, however; added a calm spaciousness between each party. Each party was well placed. It’s a nice place, but this city is home to the true interior design behemoths, and the space didn’t stand out to me.

At the bar, we melted into these decadent, gargantuan bar stool-lounge chair hybrids.

Next to me, however, was an obscenely loud man. He would have ruined my time if I were there for a quiet drink. But I’ll conclude that he was just really happy to be in Paris.

The barwoman was doing a fantastic job–she was relaxed, easy to talk to, yet professional, able to explain rare ingredients by heart.

She handed us two large menus.

As we began flipping through the chapbook, it became apparent that they’d dedicated each cocktail a page of its own. Half of the ingredients were out of my realm of knowledge, but I tried my best to ballpark what certain drinks would taste like.

My first pick was the rum-based Ubuntu, a South African word that means ‘I am because we are.’ The taste was a subtle fruity, earthy flavour that ultimately grew too sweet for me as I drank it.

The Little Red Door
Hygge (front) & Ubuntu (back)

Next, I chose a winner. The Fuubutsushi, a Japanese word that defines the sensation you have as seasons change. Stunning.

The Little Red Door
Fuubutsushi

The drink is built on Whiskey, but its creation is both poetic and fascinating. Each arrangement is unique and LRD uses a different bouquet of produce that corresponds with the season. Overall, it was a sensational drink and one of the more unique that I’ve had a chance to drink.

Where a Door Leads in Paris

The idea of the bar, the Little Red Door, plays with the mystery of this city. Paris is essentially a city of things hidden behind doors. Fountains, courtyards, entire streets rest behind grand doors. I’ve seen secret gardens, large murals, and shaded passages. Haussman buildings, which were largely regulated at the time of their construction to 6 floors with grey roofs and off-white facades, are very similar if not the same in look, except for small details in masonry. But things are more than what they seem from the street side.

The bright red door is meant to pique your interest.

For LRD, I have to say that when you enter, the interior doesn’t match the suspense created by that mystery. I found myself wondering what the point was of building that intrigue if the interior is just the transcendent, dark-and-elegant pub.

‘A Way with Words’ is a very very nice concept, and some of their past drink menus have been equally as profound. With the previous one playing on our core universal values.

  • The Little Red Door
  • The Little Red Door
  • The Little Red Door

Maybe that’s the point. The Little Red Door wants classic and transcendent, rather than a flashy interior that will go out of date with a passing season. Only the produce is seasonal, not the decor.

Nonetheless, the bar makes a great detour for any Parisian or tourist alike, and I think I speak for all of us when I say, that behind every closed door there should be a fantastic place to drink.

Fin. Alexander

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