There’s no better guide to the best bars in Strasbourg than someone who has made going out not only their hobby but their business. That’s why when it came to finding the best cocktail clubs, upscale gin palaces and cosy neighbourhood bars, Culture Trip sought the expertise of local chef and long-time city resident, Noémie D’hooge.
One of Noémie’s favourite spots to start the night is Supertonic. “Happy hour is crazy, €4.50 for Bombay (gin) tonic.” She loves this bar for more than its enormous selection of drinks; it was here while drinking the Botanist brand of gin that she was inspired to name her own restaurant. Inside, you’ll find white tiles with silk-screen printing, beautiful light fixtures and comfortable benches perfect for relaxing.
Noémie designed Le Botaniste to be a cosy place away from home for Strasbourg residents. “Since the opening three years ago, we’ve made a point of highlighting the local, fresh and seasonal produce both on the plate and in the glass. We like to eat and drink well. That’s why we propose to sip good cocktails and drink good bottles of biodynamic and natural wines. It is also the only restaurant in Strasbourg that offers a cocktail pairing with its menu.” La Botaniste also has a selection of alcohol-free cocktails.
Noémie turns to Le Garde Fou for nights to unwind with a locally brewed beer and games. “You can play pétanque in its vault at any time of the night,” she says. The menu features a variety of beer and snacks. “It doesn’t sell cocktails here, but I advise you to enjoy its cheese or delicatessen platter.” She recommends a tangy French Orange Mécanique beer as your first glass of the night; after that, consult with the bartenders to find your favourite.
Le Café des Sport is not your average sports bar. Inside this understated local bar, you’ll find bicycles adorning the walls, a selection of trophies and games of darts. Don’t be fooled by its minimalist decor, though; its wine selection is anything but sparse. Here, you’ll find a variety of local and natural wines that will not disappoint. “Natural wine, home-made beer and decoration that reminds us of the country bistro of our childhood. It’s just good stuff and a good atmosphere,” says Noémie. She recommends ordering a Riesling Granite Durman from its cellar and enjoying it at a bistro table for a leisurely afternoon.
Le Phonograph is the quintessential Strasbourg bar; it’s sentimental to Noémie because it was the first bar she ever visited in the city. She recommends the classic Hemingway cocktail as her drink of choice here. The decor is relaxed, with a mix of hip-hop and retro styles. The bar is made out of stacked cassette tapes, and there’s a vintage gaming console for patrons. “We come here for the always lively atmosphere, and we always end up playing Mortal Kombat on the Super Nintendo,” she says.
“A place that you will miss all winter long is the floating bar in Strasbourg,” says Noémie. A summertime-only venue, Le Lavoir is an open terrace over the Canal du Faux-Rempart. Stroll up to the bar, order a glass of wine and soak up the sunshine. It’s closed on rainy days, so be sure to check the weather forecast before heading out. Noémie’s recommendation is the La Quille Nature Sur Les Quais (Boat on the Docks) cocktail, paired with fries for snacking on in the summer sun.
For a night out with style, one of Noémie’s go-tos is La Cabane. “Go down the stairs to appreciate the spacious vaulted cellar. The spirit of the place is a guinguette (a traditional, artistic French bar), with its many multicoloured garlands and its playlist straight out of the ’80s. The space is not cramped but not gigantic; it’s the ideal place for a drink with friends or in a small group.” She recommends going with a group of no more than eight people for an intimate, and interesting, night out.
Aedaen Place has three venues in one location: a pizzeria, a brasserie and a secret speakeasy named the Secret Place. Noémie says it’s “the most emblematic of the hidden bars in Strasbourg. The atmosphere is hushed, and the style is resolutely retro, with its vintage furniture and majestic crystal chandeliers. A place out of time.” You can get to the speakeasy through the pizzeria; Noémie describes the route. “Move forwards until you pass the kitchen and the refrigerators, and you’ll be in front of a chest of drawers – push this to enter.” Once inside, let the bartender choose your drink, and settle in to absorb the vintage atmosphere.
“Nestled just a stone’s throw from the cathedral, the Code Bar is elegant and sharp,” says Noémie. It’s also small; the intimate space can only fit about 30 people, meaning if you want to enter these doors, you’ll have to get there early. It’s more than worth it, though, according to Noémie. “Here, the cocktail is not just about syrup and liquor. You can ask the barman for a cocktail just for you and to your taste.”
“You don’t need to show your passport to go through customs [in Strasbourg],” says Noémie, jokingly. La Douanier means “the customs officer”, and despite its officious title, the atmosphere is anything but staid. “Le Douanier is known for its warm, chic and tropical decoration. With soft lighting and colourful tapestries, once you’ve settled into these velvet or leather armchairs, you won’t want to get up,” she says. She recommends ordering a Le Grand Pygmée cocktail, sitting back and enjoying the evening.
Noémie’s final choice of the best bars in Strasbourg is Kitsch’n Bar. It’s a nostalgic place, which brings to mind a simpler time for guests. “It’s like being back in the ’70s – a good cheap local beer and a large portion of french fries. Basically, it’s the place to be and do as you please, to play a game of cards or have a cool apéritif.” Her main tip for visitors to Kitsch’n Bar? “Don’t leave here without taking your portion of fries with your pint.”