Anyone can go on a boring old city break – long walks, museums, blah blah blah. But even though we might tell people we’re going somewhere because it’s still got its original city wall and these amazing old medieval defences, what we really want to know is, where’s the best place to get a drink?
Fortunately Barchick has come to our rescue yet again, with the best places to get a drink in some of our favourite European cities. With any luck, you can take a selfie outside that famous cathedral en route to the bar, so no-one will know you never made it inside.
Berlin
Not only is it party central, but Berlin is also home to Lebbensstern, the bar with the biggest gin collection in Europe – which means sipping on the juniper spirit is a necessity. We say order up an Aviation made with Bombay Sapphire, maraschino, creme de violette and lemon, and psyche yourself up for party time.
Firmly rooted in cocktail history, Buck and Breck hs got a touch of pre-prohibition meets modern punk-iness to it and is a must-visit for all cocktail lovers. Disguised as an art gallery from the outside, there’s only enough room for 14 drinkers and standing around is strictly forbidden, so you’d better get in early, baby.
If you’re doing it on the cheap and want some swank without the price tag, get yourself to Victoria Bar for cocktails at just €7 a pop! Prop up the long bar and play at being posh. Like, so chic.
Learn how to make an Aviation cocktail at home here or on Drinks Tube...
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Paris
This is one city to hit for a weekend of partying. Two hours door to door, you can’t really go wrong. And when you’re in Paris you’ve gotta drink the Parisian liqueur St Germain in its home country. Get your hands on some at Lockwood’s downstairs cocktail cave and go all ooh la la with a French Gimlet with gin, St Germain and lime. Classic. Aperitivo hour strikes at 6:30pm so get in and get your frenchie fix.
If you wanted a little nuit de débauche, head over to Pigalle and split your time between Glass,
and peeking in the sex shops.
Hangovers don’t fly in the city of love, no matter how much Chanel you accessorise it with, so throw on a pair of oversized sunglasses and start all over again in the morning.
Get your own Gimlet recipe here.
Amsterdam
It’s not all weed, tulips and bicycles – the Dutch are now taking their drinking much more seriously too. They’ve stopped shaking up watery serves for the Cosmo-drinkers and instead have started to embrace all kinds of new and exciting cocktails. Great news.
We can’t get enough of vermouth in Amsterdam’s killer cocktails and despite the huge NYC-style speakeasy surge, you won’t have to hunt down a secret door to get your tastebuds around some of this goodness. Vesper, an intimate (or just bloody tiny) bar serves up a Barbara West –honouring one of the last Titanic survivors – made with Noilly Prat Rouge vermouth, gin, lemon juice, sugar and bitters. It’s damn good.
Want some secret bar action? Door 74 and its ‘no hitting other drinkers’ rule should be your first port of call, followed by Hiding in Plain Sight that has a cocktail so strong, it’s strictly limited to one per person. We’ll have some of that.
If you're looking for a vermouth cocktail to make at home, check out this guy.
Barcelona
First thing’s first, you’re gonna have to prep yourself to start late and stay up ’til dawn because that’s just how they roll in these ends. All skateboards, siestas and spirits to keep you pumping, we’re all about the rum. You can get some of the city’s best at The Box in the Gothic Quarter where jars and jars of the stuff line the wall behind the bar. We say keep it simple and order a Daiquiri with Bacardi Añejo, lime and sugar. Oh, so simple, yet oh so good.
If you want a side of killer views with your cocktail, get your head in the clouds at The 360 Barat the Barcelo Hotel Raval for some laidback, rooftop vibes. Not the place for big groups, sit back and let the Bossa Nova band do their thing as you gaze over the skyline.
Learn how to make a daiquiri here.
Venice
Home to the Spritz, gondolas and a bigass Basilica, the Venetians also do coffee like nobody else, so Espresso Martinis are a must. Why not go all out and order up at Bar Longhi – where the Queen stays when she’s in the hood, no less. Take it with Grey Goose, their finest espresso, a slug of coffee liqueur and a canal-side seat to sip it at.
Looking for some East London vibes across from St Mark’s Square? Generator Bar is here to prove that it’s not all swanky hotel bars and over-priced cocktails. This cool hostel is a failsafe for making new friends, getting your hands on some great drinks and kicking back on the four-poster bed. So casual.
While you’re here, swing by Harry’s Bar – national landmark, birthplace of the Bellini and one of the world’s most iconic bars. Boozing won’t get much better.
Get an espresso martini recipe here.
Copenhagen
There’s just two things you’re gonna need when you set foot onto Copenhagen soil: a smile slapped across your face because this is the ‘happiest city in the world’ and all the whisky.
If you’re dedicated to some serious straight up drinking then head straight to Lidkoeb who love the stuff so much that they’ve converted the top floor of their building into a whisky bar.
If you’re anything like BarChick you like to mix your scotch with other liquid goodness so get yourself to Salon 39 and order up a Great Scott with Aberfeldy 12-year-old scotch infused with watermelon, ginger, lemon, honey, eucalyptus and smoked chipotle. It’s hot stuff, baby.
Once you’ve had your whisky fix get to Zefside. This is where the party’s at so hit it hard and keep on smilin’.
For more ace cocktail recipes head over to the Mixed Cocktail website.
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Illustration: Eugenia Loli
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.