L'Épicier — Restaurant in Paris

The vibes are unmatched here, I think of this place often. I was very new to the city and still working on my language skills when I came by; I’d just read a real academic study(!) that alcohol helps facilitate language learning. Instead of bothering some group of friends with my inability to remember the gender of a washing machine, I sat at the bar and they took such good care of me. I asked them to invent me something strong like Hemingway would drink (it was a weird time in my life mdr), specified a few likes and dislikes, and my God did these men deliver. In a good way! How kind of them to help me get back in touch with my Canadian culture by getting me just lit enough to stay polite, chat some nonsense, and get home safely without a cab 🙂 Highly reco stopping by the nearby Chez Macdo afterwards, I think those staff might be sipping on the same because they closed out the night singing Umbrella by Rih on the announcements. Truly one of those iconic Parisian nights out when you are young and there is no plot, just vibes.

I ended up returning another night just for an opportunity to give them a ridiculous tip. They say Paris is unfriendly and Toronto is not, but here they just kept asking if I was well and enjoying myself with no pressure whatsoever. I was doing fantastic to be honest! It’s a relief to drop the sangfroid you must otherwise wear on the streets all day every day and it was true joy you were witnessing, and just a little pastis 😊 Really who would possibly have a bad time enjoying music loud while the most gorgeous barmen ever are also this kind and attentive? Where I’m from, you simply can’t do anything on your own without judgement. I came here in the first place because no risk, no reward, no FOMO. In that sense, I got exactly what I ordered.

Honestly find some of the complaints a little baffling — it’s a specialty cocktail bar. in Paris. So it’s expensive! You can also literally invent a drink to your specific preferences to avoid not liking that expensive drink. If you are acting and dressing a fool in the queue and demanding exact wait times, IT’S A SPECIALTY COCKTAIL BAR IN PARIS. Girrrl ll what do you expect TikTok is not...

Royalty Treatment and Unique Cocktails: A 4-Star Review of L'épicier Cocktail Bar

From the moment we arrived, the security guard at L'épicier Cocktail Bar treated us like VIPs. The waiters were just as friendly and accommodating, making our experience feel even more special. What really stood out to us, though, were the cocktails. Each one was unique and expertly crafted with a perfect balance of flavors.

While we thoroughly enjoyed our time at L'épicier, we did notice that the space was a bit cramped, which made it difficult to fully relax. Additionally, some of the cocktails were on the pricier side, which could be a turnoff for some visitors.

Despite these minor issues, L'épicier is truly a one-of-a-kind spot. The ambiance is cozy and intimate, with dim lighting and a speakeasy vibe. And of course, the cocktails are what make this place special. Each drink is carefully crafted and beautifully presented, making for an unforgettable experience.

In terms of constructive criticism, we would suggest offering a wider range of drink options, such as non-alcoholic cocktails or mocktails as well as renovating wider more comfortable seats. This would make L'épicier even more inclusive and accommodating to a wider range of guests.

Overall, we had a fantastic time at L'épicier Cocktail Bar and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique, high-quality cocktail experience. The staff and security made us feel like royalty, and the drinks were some of the best we've ever had. We're already looking forward to...

We visited this speakeasy intrigued by the concept, but walked away deeply disappointed; not only by the drinks, but also by the service.

We ordered one of their specialty cocktails, described on the menu as mezcal, gin, lime, and rose water syrup. When it arrived, the signature smoky flavor of mezcal was completely absent. Instead, the drink was dominated by a strong fruity taste that had nothing to do with what was advertised.

Confused, we asked our server Diego if we’d received the wrong drink. He explained that the menu doesn’t list all the ingredients, because they want to keep their recipes “secret” so people around the world can’t copy them. Honestly, this felt absurd. A menu should guide guests toward drinks that match their tastes, not mislead them. As someone who enjoys mezcal and negronis, I chose this cocktail expecting those profiles, but instead ended up with what was essentially a passionfruit juice.

If they want secrecy, fine, but at the very least, the menu should be clear about what you’re actually getting. Advertising an alcohol-forward cocktail, then serving something sweet and fruit-heavy, isn’t just disappointing, it’s misleading and frustrating.

To make matters worse, my daughter’s “spicy margarita” was equally underwhelming. It had no spice whatsoever and was cloyingly sweet, more like a sugary limeade than a margarita.

Overall, the experience felt more like smoke and mirrors...