Le Syndicat

My friend had warned me, ‘C’est pas facile à trouver‘, it’s not easy to find… Although I had looked it up on Google and noted where it was on Rue du Faubourg Saint Denis, I still did walk right past it. Looking up at the thickly papered over storefront, it’s pretty hard to guess that there’s a world-class cocktail bar inside. A paradoxical speakeasy, hidden in plain sight.

With concrete and pegboard walls, cardboard-tiled ceiling, the decor is modern, somewhat industrial and rather coarse, but the thick golden curtains and the dim, moody lighting soften and polish it all.

Don’t be fooled by the pictures, the bar is never empty, as flocks of hip young professionals come in for an after work drink (or several), until late night. And they don’t only come for the laid-back atmosphere, casual service and DJ sets playing in the background; they come for the original cocktails and fine French spirits which have made Le Syndicat’s worldwide reputation!

At this point, let me tell you a few words about the underlying concept: Le Syndicat (the Union) was created as an ‘organization in defense of French spirits.’ The founders, Romain Le Mouellic and Sullivan Doh (formerly seen at the Sherry Butt, another cocktail institution in Le Marais) aim to revive and glorify traditional French spirits—Armagnac, Cognac, Calvados, Chartreuse, and more—concocting beautiful, elegant, and unique cocktails for newbies and experts alike. Their pursuit of excellence and originality have earned them a place on the exclusive World’s 50 Best Bars list.

The drink menu changes now and again, usually following a particular theme. For example, last spring it consisted of drinks inspired by Parisian landmarks: Le Louvre, La Tour Eiffel, l’Arc de Triomphe, Le Château de Versailles, and so on. Their latest menu, pre-lockdown, made references to French national holidays—another good reason to come back and celebrate!