Sitting behind a discreet door in Paris’ 2nd, Experimental Cocktail Club continues to deliver the kind of inventive cocktails that helped build the city’s reputation as a drinks destination.
One of the few top-notch cocktail bars in Paris’ 2nd, Experimental Cocktail Club (ECC for short), helped build the French capital’s sterling drinks reputation. Like many of the city’s great establishments, it’s hidden just off the beaten path. Inside, visitors will find a mix of expats, locals, and cocktail curious tourists, along with a number of wood and zinc touches. The menu continuously evolves, mixing in new signatures with the bar’s classics.
Xavier Padovani, co-founder of the Experimental Cocktail Club, tell us
Please describe Experimental Cocktail Club as if you’re explaining the experience of walking through the doors and ordering your first drink.
ECC Paris is a gem in a velvet box, warm and cosy. You walk through a small pedestrian street in one of the coolest areas in Paris to unveil a hidden spot, just out of the way. As you approach the discreet door and enter the bar, a classic zinc bar unfolds before you. The bar is quintessentially French, with a solid back bar filled with an incredible selection of spirits & liqueurs. Throughout the bar, a lot of wood and zinc touches are counterbalanced with a soft, welcoming light. The DJ is playing on the piano and you’re just about to order an Old Cuban… This is Paris Experimental Cocktail Club, our original bar!
How would you describe Experimental Cocktail Club in a three-word text to a friend that you’re trying to convince to join you?
Top-notch cocktails & unpretentious
Other than Experimental Cocktail Club, what else is happening in the neighbourhood that you’re in?
The neighbourhood is incredible, but my top choice would be Frenchie rue du Nil. It’s an amazing restaurant by Gregory Marchand.
Aside from Happy Hour, when is the best time to get to the bar?
Anytime really, but I have a soft spot for after dinner drinks, around 10pm when I’m thirsty for a killer Old Fashioned
Describe the average drinkers that you serve?
An eclectic mix of French, Parisians, Americans, British and a curated selection of curious tourists that venture out of the beaten track!
Please tell us more about your drinks menu.
Experimental Cocktail Club usually presents 10 cocktails on its menu, including a selection of Experimental Cocktail Club classics and seasonal originals.
Menu visible above.
What’s your signature drink–or your favorite drink currently on the menu–and why should I order it?
Mine personally is an Old Cuban. Audrey Saunders has always been an inspiration for us and her drinks feature in most of our Experimental Cocktail Clubs, including Paris, London, The Cotswolds, Verbier and Venice.
How much do drinks cost?
The cocktails all start from 15 euros each.
Is there anything to eat? If so – what’s your favourite dish on the menu?
Depending on the Experimental Cocktail Club, yes. In Verbier we served flammekueche, a traditional Alsatian snack but this one is by Gregory Marchand from Frenchie. The best bar snack, ever.
What are the distinguishing features of Experimental Cocktail Club?
Our focus isn’t just the drinks. It’s the entire experience. Each element holds equal importance, from design and lighting, to service and music, and of course great drinks priced well. We want to welcome people for cocktails, encourage them to stay and hope they come back next time they’re out.
What’s that music we hear playing on the Experimental Cocktail Club stereo?
Our music at ECC is often chilled vibes during the early week and as the week turns into the weekend, our DJs play funkier, livelier music to get people up and on their feet.
Coincidentally, we also have a bar called STEREO, which has music at the heart. In STEREO we have a stage and can welcome 600 guests at once, so we play live music with our house live band and DJs every night.
Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 7pm-2am
Sunday: 8pm-2am
Reservations:
Walkins only.
Website:
experimentalcocktailclub.com/paris
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/experimentalcocktailclub/?hl=en
Address:
37 Rue Saint-Sauveur, 75002 Paris, France