Who’s the tatted up, whisky-drinking, rock-n-roll fan turning heads in the Belleville quartier? Her name is Joséphine, and she’s making all the neighbors jealous. Classy enough for your mother, yet with just the right amount of edge to make you want to get into her pants, the recently opened cave parisienne is not your typical wine bar. The place is subtly intriguing — like someone with tattoos in private places, it has certain elements of surprise that separate itself from the rest.
Take, for example, its unrivaled liquor list with 80 different types of rare, aged whisky as well as tequila, gin, rum, bourbon, etc. that you can order straight up in three different volumes. Or you can play it sage with a drink from the original and varied cocktail list concocted by Ludo, the owner (also of the nearby Le Cannibale Café), in collaboration with a veteran bartender from Experimental.
Try the Solera Sour made with whisky, sherry, anise maple syrup, lemon, orange and egg whites or the signature Joséphine with yellow chartreuse, calvados, lime, absinthe and grapefruit zest. They’re a steal at 10 euros each. If you’re more of a wino, choose from any one of the quality reds or whites stored in the cave below the transparent dance floor, and soak it all up with a plate of house fries or crusty baguette aux céréales with charcuterie and Manchego cheese (or any of the inventive small plates available) so you can make it a late-night affair.
With modern and cozy decor, you can post up in the front room at one of the high-top tables or sip your poison at the bar. For a more intimate feel, slip into the back, where there’s a second bar, more tables, and the dance floor preceded by the sounds of reggae ska and rock mounting as the night wears on. Those with nicotine cravings can satisfy their needs in the fumoir hidden behind a mirror in the wall.
A word to the wise, the bar is partnered with the neighboring tattoo parlor Le Sphinx. If you’re having any ideas about getting yourself inked, make your decision before you begin liquor tasting. Although, even if you do wake up with whats-her-name forever engraved on your shoulder, you can be relieved to know that the tattoo salon is hygienically sound, the artists are pros, and you get cardmember access to Monday soirées at Joséphine filled with Trap muzik, hip hop and dancehall beats, guest bartenders and 20% off the entire menu. Hey, it’s better than a cheap hangover from a bad night in Pigalle any day.
Joséphine Caves Parisiennes
25 rue Moret 75011 Paris
Métro : Couronnes or Ménilmontant
Open everyday from 6 pm to 2 am
01 43 38 59 88
http://www.cafejosephine.fr
http://cafe-josephine.tumblr.com
article: Stéphanie Holmes
[googleMap name=”25 rue Moret 75011 Paris” description=”Joséphine Caves Parisiennes” width=”600″ height=”200″ mousewheel=”false” directions_to=”false”]25 rue Moret 75011 Paris[/googleMap]
