The laid back nature of a pub meets the creativity of a cocktail bar at The Cambridge Public House, one of Paris’ finest drinking establishments
Mix a classic British pub with a Paris cocktail bar and voila, you have The Cambridge Public House. The laid back, yet inventive drinks palace has quickly become one of the City of Light’s most-beloved destinations thanks to its casual atmosphere and passion for creativity behind the bar. The interior features everything one might expect from a classic English boozer: leather, old paintings, wood, that certain shade of green. And for those looking for food to match, there’s even a sausage roll.
Located in the Marais, The Cambridge’s cocktail menu isn’t just seasonal, it changes weekly. Every Monday one to three cocktails switch in to go with the new products the bar got in. The best place to start is with one of the Tiny Bevs cocktails, a mini pre-batch twist on a classic straight from the freezer.
Hyacinthe Lescoët, Co-Founder at The Cambridge Public House, tells us…
Please describe Cambridge Public House as if you’re explaining the experience of walking through the doors and ordering your first drink.
The Cambridge Public House is a casual bar, a Cocktail Pub per se. As soon as you get in, you’ll be greeted by a friendly and passionate bartender. Once seated, he or she will ask you if you’re interested in cocktails and if yes, you’ll be taken through the seasonal menu which changes a little bit every week. You’d be recommended one of the Tiny Bevs cocktails to start, a mini pre-batch twist on a classic cocktail straight from the freezer. It’s only then that you realise you are not in your normal pub.
How would you describe Cambridge Public House in a three-word text to a friend that you’re trying to convince to join you?
Martini – Guinness – Sausage Roll
Other than Cambridge Public House, what else is happening in the neighbourhood that you’re in?
There is so much happening. Apart from the other 5-6 world class cocktail bars, le Marais is famous for its great food, coffee shops and fashion. There’s always something to do.
Aside from Happy Hour, when is the best time to get to the bar?
The bar opens early, everyday from 3pm. Between 3pm and 5pm, you’ll find some other bartenders, chefs, sommeliers, ambassadors: hospitality industry members on their break or before starting a shift basically, that casually meet. It’s a good time.
Describe the average drinkers that you serve?
There are three. Our sweet regulars, the parisian crowd and the cocktail tourists. Someone with passions for music, good cocktails and beers.
Please tell us more about your drinks menu.
The menu adapts every Monday to the season we are in. One, two or three cocktails will change to follow the products we get. There’s always “the cocktail of the week” that we highlight, the “last chance” cocktail (last chance to try it before it gets out of season), the “tiny bevs” section and the other 10 alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails. Plus an array of beers, homemade sodas, natural wine and bar snacks. The idea being that everyone can find something they enjoy. In total, we make an average of 70 cocktails every year, designed by all the team. They are known to be flavour focused.
What’s your signature drink–or your favourite drink currently on the menu–and why should I order it?
The Cigarette After Sex is the only cocktail that has never left the menu. It’s long, fresh and dry. It’s a mix of agua de Jamaica, Mezcal and sloe gin, super easy. Otherwise, I really enjoy the Silent Sky: golden turnip, Riesling, mustard, honey and Cognac, all clarified. It’s smoked with the leftovers turnip and it’s 100% French.
How much do drinks cost?
14€ for a house cocktail, 15€ for a classic cocktail, 9€ for a nonalcoholic cocktail.
Is there anything to eat? If so – what’s your favourite dish on the menu?
The bar snack section is composed of 9 items. The all time guests favourite is the sausage roll, but I do enjoy the French Rarebit. A twist on its Welsh cousin with Comté instead of Cheddar.
What are the distinguishing features of Cambridge Public House?
It has all the codes of a classic English boozer. The leather, the green, the old paintings, the wood. The design has been thought of in a way to resemble your favourite local pub, and there’s a few different areas to fit every mood of the day.
What’s that music we hear playing on the Cambridge Public House stereo?
The afternoon is usually up to what the team of the day wants. The night gets usually groovier with afrobeat, funk, and all sorts of disco. If it’s quieter, maybe some old Yacht Rock, Brazilian Funk or popular Pop songs.
Hours:
Monday: 3 PM–1 AM
Tuesday: 3 PM–1 AM
Wednesday: 3 PM–1 AM
Thursday: 3 PM–1 AM
Friday: 3 PM–1 AM
Saturday: 3 PM–1 AM
Sunday: 3 PM–1 AM
Reservations:
Book a table via the official website.
Website:
https://www.thecambridge.paris/en
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thecambridge_paris
Address:
8 Rue de Poitou, 75003 Paris, France
