Bluebird

My mission was to find a cozy place where we could have a good gin and tonic for an after-work meeting on the terrace. It sounded easy, but on closer inspection, it turned out things weren’t so simple.

Places meeting this set of requirements — a good gin selection, open late afternoon, with a not-too-crowded terrace — are actually quite scarce. Of course, we could’ve gone to any neighborhood bar and had hastily-served, subpar drinks, but knowing my friends’ pickiness when it came to their favorite cocktail, that wouldn’t have cut it. 

Luckily we stumbled upon Bluebird: mission accomplished.

Recently opened in the lively Faidherbe-Chaligny area, Bluebird sits in a quiet street off the beaten path, limiting the clientèle to a small, sociable crowd of connoisseurs. Inside, subdued lighting and warm colors invite visitors to enjoy a delicious cocktail in a laid-back, but vibrant atmosphere.

In the back of the room, hidden behind a large backlit aquarium, there’s even a “fumoir” where smokers can carry on their conversations, glass in hand.

The friendly mixologists will be happy to guide you through their gin-centric list of cocktails (don’t worry, they have plenty of other options as well), but I’d recommend ordering a Ruby or a classic Papa’s gin and tonic.