Michael Hepworth
New Champagne Bar a Star in the Old Port Nightlife Scene
By Bonnie Carroll
Montreal (Spiritsman)6/23/13/—La Champagnerie, the most anticipated champagne bar in Montreal opened its doors to media, tastemakers and socialites in May 2013 in the heart of Montreal ’s sophisticated nightlife scene. Situated in the Old Port at 343 St. Paul East, La Champagnerie blends the excitement of sabering and the elegance of champagne in a charming rustic setting, within a generous 2,000 square foot site, that is already proving to be the venue of choice for the Montreal movers and shakers.
Sabering champagne and other sparkling wines, is a custom that dates back to the time of Napoleon. By using a saber to knock off the end of a champagne bottle in one clean piece (cork, glass and all), the end of the bottle then splits off leaving the open bottle to pour and enjoy. “Using a champagne saber is one of the most theatrical and impressive ways to serve all kinds of bubbly,” says Sébastien Piekutowski, Director of Operations for La Champagnerie. “
The idea behind La Champagnerie stems from the popular La Champagneria bar in Barcelona that offers Cava (Spanish sparkling wine for 5 euros a bottle) and brilliantly combines simplicity, versatility and fun. “We want to democratize what champagne is commonly known for and offer Montrealers a unique unpretentious space with an incredible variety of bubbly at all different price points and flavours” says Piekutowski.
The rustic chic décor at La Champagnerie is made up of polished wood, copper, glass and other raw material. The “wow wall” – a concrete slab covered in glass filled with personalized sabered champagne cork memorabilia from sipping customers, is just one of the more interesting elements found in the unique and welcoming space. From the vintage metal chairs that were transformed into customized bar stools, to the restored 1930’s gramophone at the DJ booth that signals the end of the evening by playing a music hall song every night at 3AM, the tone is set with a mix of modern and vintage influence.
La Champagnerie offers a variety of accessible champagnes and sparkling wines as well as some prestigious brands, offering a price range for every patron. They also introduced an innovative way to offer bottle service with “Les Kits à Bulles” where all mixers are served in sophisticated looking test tubes – extremely tres chic!
The champagne bar offers hungry culinary creatures a distinctive menu of beautifully prepared lavish sharing platters and finger foods including such classics as caviar, Oysters, tartars, and more. The owners have expressed the hope to be serving lunch daily soon on their terrace. La Champagnerie is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 4PM to 3AM. For additional information visit: www.lachampagnerie.ca
Bonnie Carroll
Michael Hepworth
287 S.Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
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