Coq-tail Hour

A few years back, one thing was seriously missing in Paris - proper cocktail bars. Well, you probably could have gone to the Ritz, but buying a Dior dress just not to feel stupid going there was not an option for me. And of course, you could go for a mojito-without-taste to most of the bars in Paris. But there was no place with fancy barmen whipping incredible cocktails dating back to the 1920s or 30s, creating their own inventions or something custom made to the client's taste and all of this for an affordable price (i.e. not over 20euros per drink). 

I wasn't probably the only one who thought there were not enought cocktail bars in Paris, because these past two years, the Parisian cocktail bar scene became much more relevant.

The other night with friends, we returned to a place called "Le Coq" near Republique. We've already been a few months ago when the place opened and we liked it a lot. That's a reason for coming back, I'd say. 

The seats are cosy and modulable according to the size of your party. Very unparisian, since you actually can't mistake your unknown neighbour's glass for your own and you don't have to share their private conversation. It's a bit noisy but the cocktails are delicious (and seriously strong) and the atmosphere is nice. Le Coq-tail hour!

Club it out!

It's been since forever that we last went dancing to a proper club. In Paris, clubs are either very selective (they can even control the brands you're wearing) or very expensive (you have to buy a 200€ worth bottle of vodka/whiskey/rum... to enter). Or both.

This Friday, in London, we just went for drinks with friends, then decided to go for a bit of dancing to Sway, near Holborn. I was excited like a little kid. The bouncers even let us enter with our huge bags for the weekend. We left them in the cloakroom of course, but I am not sure elsewhere (ie in Paris), you could have entered with weekend bags.

I was like Alice in Wonderland - lights everywhere, disco balls, several different types of music, a colour-changing floor a few dozens of drunk Brits. The best thing was definitely the toilet. I went to the ladies room and when I got in, there was a lady who asked me "Are you alright, darling?". First I didn't really get the question, why shouldn't I be alright ? Then I realised, she was checking on the too-drunk-to-pie-on-their-own girls. Upon washing my hands, she handed my paper towels. If I needed to freshen myself with deodorant or perfume, I could have. I could actually have chosen among Thierry Mugler's Angel, Dior's Mademoiselle, Chloé and a few more. This bathroom reminded me of one in a café in Berlin, which contained not only a toilet but also a glass of red wine and piece of chocolate cake.

One of the DJs was probably in his own strange wonderland, he kept switching between songs in a crazy way (too quick, mostly no connexion between the songs whatsoever)... I had fun anyway.

Need to come back soon to one o London's clubs, to try the famous and trendy lychee martini.