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Slideshow
db ranks the world’s best Champagne bars
the drinks business has produced a list of the world’s best Champagne bars to highlight the rise of venues dedicated to serving fizz.
As many as 33 bars will feature in EAT.DRINK, db’s on-trade report, which will be mailed out with October’s issue of the magazine, but in the meantime, here is a selection of some of the outlets listed, starting with number 23 in the line-up.
23. Goldbrick House Champagne and Cocktail Bar, Bristol, UK
This Champagne and cocktail bar is elegantly designed and thoughtfully laid out, maximising space without seeming cramped. It draws a young and buzzing crowd, and always has a good ambience. There is a broad selection of big-name Champagnes as well as some less mainstream choices such as De Sousa’s organic Champagnes.
69 Park Street, West End, Bristol BS1 5PB, UK
24. Per Lei and Midtown Bar, Stockholm, Sweden
One of the swishest locations in Stockholm, this hotel bar and restaurant in the centre of Stureplan, the city’s main square, is the chosen hang out of the resident princesses.
The Midtown Bar is a “speakeasy with an Italian twist” and has an extensive selection of Champagnes, both from the grandes marques and a few less widely distributed but highly respected, family-owned producers such as Franck Bonville and Launois Père & Fils.
SturePlan Hotel, Stockholm
Sturehof AB, Sturegallerian 42, Stureplan 2, 114 46 Stockholm
25. Perrier-Jouet Bar, Fifth Floor, Harvey Nichols, London
The Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor bar is designed in the style of the celebrated Perrier-Jouët anemone motif, originally created by Emile Gallé in 1902.
It’s a beautiful bar with a good view over Knightsbridge and, unsurprisingly, the Champagne on offer is Perrier-Jouët as well as Harvey Nichols’ own-brand fizz.
As well as a variety of PJ wines by the glass, bottle or nine-litre Salmanazar, there are Perrier-Jouët flights (with canapés included).
There’s also a decent selection of cocktails and food from the restaurant just across from the bar.
Fifth Floor, Harvey Nichols, 109-125 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RJ
www.harveynichols.com/fifth-floor-london-champagne-bar
26. The Champagne Bar, Fairmont Hotel, Monte Carlo
Monaco, “a sunny place for shady people”, has no shortage of places to drink Champagne, but the bar at the Fairmont has the most notable collection, with 40 brands, including the pioneering grower Egly Ouriet and Moët’s Be Fabulous Champagne decorated with Swarovski crystals.
The Champagne bar is also perched right next to the infamous Grand Prix Corner, and offers an uninterrupted view of the Mediterranean and the Monegasque coastline.
Fairmont Hotel, Monte Carlo
27. O2 Lounge, Ritz Carlton, Moscow, Russia
As the name suggests, rooftop bar O2 has light and airy qualities – not unlike Champagne.
The fact that it’s carbon dioxide that makes the bubbles in Champagne is academic (and the name CO2 doesn’t have quite the same appeal).
The bar, overlooking the Red Square and Kremlin, is encased in a geometric glass dome. Sushi is a speciality – which pairs well with the Champagnes on show here.
Ritz Carlton, 3 Tverskaya Street, Moscow, Russia 125009
28. Pop Pommery Bar, Hilton Park Lane, London
Rarely does a bar lives up to its name to quite the extent that Pop does; the sound of corks popping punctuates the upbeat and trendy pop music, the art is, of course, of the pop variety, and the decoration incorporates bubbles and spheres.
The vibe of the place is cool and fun – like the Champagne brand’s image.
Pommery is ubiquitous, so this offers a great opportunity to get to know the house style really well.
London Hilton Park Lane, 22 Park Lane, Mayfair, London, W1K 1BE
29. Moet Bar and Gallery, Selfridges, UK
Moët sponsors the bar and restaurant in Selfridges department stores, offering a decadent and very welcome break in the form of a glass of bubbles to busily spending shoppers.
The décor is suitably glamorous and heavily branded, making drinkers and diners feel as fabulous as possible.
The bars, in each of the UK-based Selfridges outlets, offer a decent selection of Champagnes as well as a variety of skilfully mixed cocktails.
30. Fix St James, Sydney, Australia
Originally a restaurant, Fix St James is a cosy little gem of a bar with a great vibe and even greater wine list.
With more than 200 wines to choose from, “dedicated to hands-on makers, small growers, crazies and fanatics”, there is plenty of scope for curious drinkers.
Run by enthusiastic wine lovers, the Champagne list may be brief but it’s inventive, featuring labels such as René Geoffroy Expression NV, Ulysses Collin Blanc de Blancs, Les Perrières 2006, and Jacquesson Millésimé, Dizy 2000.
111 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
31. Chez de Beir Champagne Bar, Belgium
There are 28 different Champagnes on the menu of the Chez de Beir Champagne Bar, alongside a selection of interesting tapas-style dishes.
The elegant bar is situated in the historic centre of Ghent. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, yet retains a sense of sophistication; ties might come off as the evening wears on, but there’s certainly the feeling that they would at least have been on to start with.
Onderbergen 33, 9000 GENT, Belgium
32. Velluto, Australia
This is a Champagne bar that takes relaxation seriously.
Quiet and sophisticated, it’s decorated with antique furniture and heavy velvet curtains, lending an old-world, lived-in quality to the place.
Its Champagne list is good, ticking off the top names, but its real strength lies with the place’s character, with jazz evenings and a wide range of events and offers.
Shop 7 / 50 Macleay Street, Potts Point NSW 2011 Australia
33. Boox Bar, Ipanema, Brazil
A stylish bar and restaurant with a stylish clientele. This is less flashy and ostentatious than many top-end restaurants in Brazil, and focuses on quality.
However, the Champagne list is showy with big attention-grabbing brands, but enough of a selection to cater for all tastes.
Rua Barao da Torre, 368 Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro