T R A V E L   /   T R A V E L   I D E A S

TOP PARIS COCKTAILS

What are the major trends currently influencing the international cocktail scene?

Thierry Daniel (TD):  I would say: Gastronomy - Local - Craft - Eco-Conscious … Bartenders are acting more and more like chefs. They are increasingly focused on the quality of the products they’re using, the selection and origin of the producers, and where the ingredients are sourced from. They're also using seasonal and local products in their menus, and are becoming more eco-conscious. In terms of spirits, they are sourcing more and more craft and historical regional brands. As well, in parallel, bar owners are increasingly focused on the overall customer experience, where comfort, music and service are as important as the drinks.

Each year in Paris, you organise the “Cocktails Spirits Summit” industry event, a sort of Davos/TED talks for mixologists…

TD:  Yes, absolutely. In 2017, it will be the 10th Edition of this amazing adventure. It all started with the vision that France needed to bring together the best bartenders from around the world to come together to create in a leading industry event. Over the past nine years, we’ve carefully selected bar owners, mixologists and bartenders to share their passion, vision and philosophy on stage with the industry. We had some really unforgettable moments, including having some of the top mixologists in the world attending from cocktail bars which span across five generations – from the legendary bar in the historic Savoy London Hotel, to the owner of a bar in one of the most dangerous war zones in the world in Baghdad.

Can you introduce us to your other annual event, “Paris Cocktail Week”? 

TD:  Following on from the success of our "Cocktails Spirits Summit" industry event, we wanted to launch an event called "Paris Cocktail Week" which was open for anyone from the public to attend – from serious connoisseurs to newcomers of the cocktail scene. Paris has a great bar offering which we felt was undervalued by the Parisians. In the beginning, we promoted the local cocktail scene and its top mixologists, but we quickly realised that Parisians wanted more – such as Masterclasses, Cocktail Academies and Guest bartenders, which have all been really successful. It's clear that Parisians are really into cocktail bars these days, wanting to experience the best cocktail bars in the world both abroad as well as at home.

Which are the 5 unmissable cocktail bars that you would recommend in Paris?

TD:  I like going to new places, as any new opening in Paris offers an opportunity to enrich the local cocktail bar scene. I like Danico which was opened by Nico de Soto, a great bartender who has been working overseas in cities such as New York and is now back in Paris. I also love Andy Wahloo – even though this place has been open for 15 years, it’s evolved so much over time and has become one of the coolest places to enjoy a great cocktail in Paris. Mabel, close to rue Montorgueil, is owned by Joseph Akhavan. If you like rum, you should go there and ask Joseph for one of his creations – he's one of the best mixologists in Paris. Night Flight is another bar which is close to rue Montorgueil which is one of the latest openings of the Experimental Cocktail Club Group – it’s a small, cosy hotel bar which is part of the Hotel Bachaumont. Gravity is a fairly new venue close to République, where cocktails and food are served at the same level of quality and passion. It's a great place to go if you only want to visit one venue during a night out in Paris.

Lastly, can you also share with us your three favourite restaurants in Paris?

TD:  I like Septime due to chef Bertrand Grébaut's creativity and simplicity. Le Châteaubriant is also one of my favourite restaurants in Paris. Iñaki Aizpitarte is one of the most creative chefs I know and every time I go there, there’s always one dish where emotion is on the plate. Another restaurant I really enjoyed was Restaurant Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée. This meal was really exceptional. The attention to detail and the level of perfection reached by the chef made this an unforgettable dining experience.

Thierry's Paris Address Book...

F O R   M O R E   O N   P A R I S  . . .

M E E T   O U R   L O C A L   E X P E R T S  . . .

D I S C O V E R   O U R   C I T Y   G U I D E S  . . .

O T H E R   T R A V E L   I D E A S  . . .