And so the cocktail-ification of the Left Bank continues: after the Castor Club and Solera, a new mixology joint has put down roots in an area that was previously limited to bog-standard drinks at sky-high prices. Enter Le Cinquième Sens, just under the shadow of the Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Simplicity is its leitmotif and the décor is very ‘now’ – a wall of plants, floral ornaments, a classy bar and bric-à-brac give it a flamboyant edge. There’s simplicity too in the super-warm welcome from Thibaut, the bar’s kingpin and Olivier (formerly of George V), both of whom are always smiling. And we can’t help grinning either, once we’ve taken a glance over the carefully thought out cocktail menu, priced between €12 and €14.
Starting with the surprising cocoa-infused Trinidad Old Fashioned (Angostura 1919, a reduced Angostura syrup and bitter house chocolate), we move onto the rich, creamy Pénicilline (Scotch, Laphroaig, apricot brandy, ginger, egg white and lavender bitters) which certainly doesn’t skimp on flavour.
And for those who are feeling it, there’s a basement room for boogying – just another reason to make the flight over the river to this new night time haunt.
TRANSLATION: MEGAN CARNEGIE
