Cocktails in Paris

New menu at Bar Aristide @HotelLutetia

Hotel Lutetia Instagram

Bar Aristide Instagram

8 February 2025 

Located in the heart of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, the Hôtel Lutetia is a true symbol of Parisian elegance and the rich history of the French capital. Inaugurated in 1910, this luxury hotel was designed in an Art Nouveau style, with Art Deco touches added later. Commissioned by Marguerite Boucicaut (whose husband was named Aristide), owner of Le Bon Marché, the hotel aimed to offer prestigious accommodation to its provincial clients.

Over the decades, the Hôtel Lutetia has hosted many famous personalities, such as Pablo Picasso, James Joyce, and Joséphine Baker. During World War II, it was requisitioned by the Germans and later transformed into a repatriation center for prisoners of war and deportees upon Liberation. After a major renovation, the hotel reopened its doors in 2018, regaining its palace status and continuing to embody the timeless charm of Paris.

The Bar Aristide, located within the hotel, slightly hidden upstairs, is a tribute to the bohemian and artistic spirit of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. This elegant and intimate bar offers a refined ambiance, ideal for savoring classic cocktails with a creative twist. It perpetuates the tradition of the Hôtel Lutetia as a meeting place for creative minds and culture enthusiasts.

The history of the Hôtel Lutetia is inseparable from that of Paris, a city whose origins date back to the Gallo-Roman era when the city was known as Lutetia. You understand well that the palace “Lutetia,” which means “muddy place” in Latin, is anything but swampy; on the contrary, it is one of the most beautiful hotels in Paris, and its bars are among the pillars of the Parisian bar scene.

Angelo Forte and his team have worked together to develop the new menu, inspired by the Icons of the New Wave. It features 12 cocktails, including 6 classic cocktails with a twist, 4 lesser-known classics, and 2 non-alcoholic options.

The menu offers summer flavors (in case of a lack of good weather), such as a Negroni twist with Mediterranean herbs (Rage in Eden), a low ABV twist on the Bloody Mary (Sextet) that reuses the leftovers from the famous Bloody Mary at the Joséphine bar (#sustainability), a Manhattan twist with rum and palo santo (Lonesome Tonight) that is unforgettable, a spicy lavender twist on the Paloma (O Pamela) that is refreshingly delightful, a very light peach highball (Black Horse), and a milk punch with a rather original ingredient, Moutai! This prestigious Baijiu, a Chinese spirit made from sorghum (Crystal), is a must-try!

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The signature cocktails:

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The classic cocktails:

I was delighted to see a Jungle Bird cocktail on the menu (which originates from Malaysia) that has yet to achieve its deserved fame.

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JUNGLE BIRD
Santa Teresa Dark Rum, Campari/ Pineapple, Lime / Brown sugar

NAKED & FAMOUS : Mezcal, Yellow Chartreuse, Aperol / Lime

And

CORPS REVIVER N1 : Cognac / Calvados, Red vermouth, Orange Angostura

The 2 non-alcoholic cocktails:

TOO CRAZY COWBOYS : Beer Spirit 00/ Peach / Sbrub Hibiscus / Ginger Beer

LUCINDA : Spirit 00 / Tomato water Cranberry / Soda

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The bar is currently hosting an exhibition titled ‘Icons of the New Wave’ by Belgian photographer Philippe Carly, featuring legends such as Blondie, Joy Division, and Patti Smith, oh and Robert Smith, whose photo is prominently displayed next to the bar!

Bonus: If you want to get inspired by their playlist, you can find it on Spotify : http://Lutetia Paris — Bar Aristide — Session 5 – playlist by Lutetia Paris | Spotify

Electro jazz DJ sets – check in advance. The bar is open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 6 PM to 1 AM, offering us a cozy little break at the end of the week.