Day One: Experimental Cocktail Club

Courtesy of Experimental Cocktail Club

By Jacqueline Wasilczyk

As teased last week, the Lower East Side branch of Paris' Experimental Cocktail Club was poised to open soon, and this past weekend, voilà, it's here. For a more detailed look about what you can expect, read below.

The Bouncers: Covering the door at other hot spots as well (The Box and Hakkasan among them), these guys mean business. While kind upon exiting, we got some major grief when we approached the entrance, and wouldn't have been admitted unless our companion had visited earlier and made nice with the owners. There wasn't any sort of line or wait, but if you don't have reservations, prepare to be turned away unless you know someone inside.

Experience No. 2

The Cocktails: Created by Nicholas de Soto, who worked on the London outpost, the menu of 14 cocktails includes the ECC staple, The Experience No. 2 (here made with gin instead of vodka per the European branches), alongside others boasting a wide array of ingredients. Full disclosure, we love pumpkin, which meant an early standout was the Jack O' Lantern - a flip created with butternut squash infused aged rum, coconut milk, cinnamon bark syrup and traditional ingredients like egg and grated nutmeg. The Kinkakuji also proved interesting, which featured 12-year Yamazaki, Batavia arrack, Plantation Trinidad Overproof rum, pineapple juice, clarified milk, coconut water, Japanese eight spices and tamaryokucha green tea. On first read the list may come across like it belongs in a Portlandia episode, but each drink we tried worked without seeming overdone.

The Space: Given that the original in Paris was inspired by New York bars, the pressed tin ceiling and handsome wood and marble bar shouldn't come as a surprise. The location is comprised of two rooms - the first more open, featuring bamboo-patterned wallpaper, plush lounge chairs and a DJ booth set in an old fireplace, and the other showcasing a separate bar, secluded nooks and an eye-catching mural. And since we heard multiple people asking for the restroom, here's a tip: it's straddling both rooms, against the back wall. 'Hommes' means men, 'Femmes' means women. Our friend found out the hard way...you're welcome.

The Tunes: Expect a varied mix of genres, ranging from Hot Chip and disco to French classics and big band recordings.

The Crowd: Though we were given some trouble at the door, inside wasn't particularly busy. While sure to be a scene, for the time being patrons included an intimate mix of well-heeled groups, Francophiles and solo industry-types. As we were leaving, couples took to the space near the DJ booth to dance, but thankfully, Avenue this is not.

The Details: 191 Chrystie Street; for reservations, e-mail madameandmonsieur@experimentalcocktailclubny.com