Le Lion • Bar de Paris — Restaurant in Hamburg

God, this is a really hard review to write. Yes, the cocktails are truly top-notch, but i've never felt so uncomfortable and judged at an establishment that is upscale (or at least trying way too hard to be). Pro tip (true story): 1.) The front door will deny you entrance without prior reservations, they're "completely booked" even though it's 1:30am, the weather is awful, and no one's around. 2.) Don't panic- just go around the corner, call the bar, and you'll find out you can swing by, but it's "standing room only." 3.) The guy in the velvet jacket who just denied you 2 minutes ago will be bound by his honor code to let you in when you come back and tell him you know there's standing room, but will be visibly annoyed, like a bridge troll who just endured someone solving his riddle required to pass. 4.) When you're in, there will actually be plenty of seating room- they just like to turn people away to seem exclusive. 5.) Order a drink to celebrate defeating the door dragon.

Again, great drinks, but someone please tell Le Lion they're in Hamburg, Germany...not fashion...

I can't imagine why I'd want to go here again.

Rang the bell. A dapper man answered and seemed a little annoyed. Kindly took our jackets and got us to our seats. Interesting cocktails with pretty good execution, and well thought out bar snacks.

Only three stars 'cause the service was truly bad. In a room far from full, it took a little over 20 minutes to get our first drinks. Then we got to sit with our empty glsses and watch the ice melt. Once they took our next order, it was another 30 minutes for the second set.

I'd say two out of three of the folks working the floor were noticeably annoyed with us being there, but we couldn't figure out why. Luckily they seemed to feel the same way about all of the patrons near us, so we didn't feel too bad.

Maybe you should go there. This is one of the few non-stellar reviews fit the place, so this could be the exception. But I'd need to be convinced before...

My first impression from the exterior was that of an exclusive, high-society, discret place to spend the evening. I came from rumours about the legendary basil bazel gin and after waiting outside with a heat-lamp, which I really apprechiated in the 1°C weather, I was let into a swarm of people, mostly sitting, laughing and babbling on about life and whatever else.

I had expected some quiet jazz, perhaps the occasional sound of glasses clinging.

This was very different. Regardless, eventually we got out drinks and a seated place too.

The Basil Gin was very unique and fruity. I liked it but the atmosphare makes me hesitate to come again. Perhaps this was a one-off though, other days might see less activity.

The up-stairs area, while seemingly hard to access, was quieter. I recommend asking for seats upstairs instead when entering.

Overall, an exciting place to visit and the Gin might've...