With nearly a century of reliable service behind it, Le Forvm Classic Bar has earned its reputation as the second oldest cocktail bar in Paris. But its long run hasn’t been without its hiccoughs. Passed down through three generations of the Biolatto family, the elegant New York-style bar was unfortunately forced to close its doors for nine months from 2015-16 after its lease wasn’t renewed. Still, the owners quickly opened up a new spot in the 2nd arrondissement in March 2016, transferring a lot of the original space’s fancy décor – everything from wood panelling to jukeboxes – to the new site.
Happily, the bar caters to all tastes, serving all sorts of long and short drinks, spanning champagne, vodka, gin, Martini and brandy. It’s hard to escape the history of the place, as its signature cocktails (€14-€16) pay clear homage to the bar’s early years, the most famous being the Forvm Cocktail – a dry martini created by the founder, Antoine Biolatto, in 1929. The rest of the menu is handed over to more modern innovations, like the Spritzum (with Lillet Blanc, a blend of Bordeaux wine and citrus liqueur) or the Mojito Shakerato (‘the Forvm version of the classic Cuban cocktail’). Take your pick, then snuggle up for the evening in one of the bar’s exceptionally comfy armchairs.
TRANSLATION: FLORA HUDSON