DSTRCT.ART in Düsseldorf – A Bar that Blends Art and Indulgence
There’s a bar missing from my website—a place that started as a pop-up concept and has now found a permanent home for its vision. DSTRCT.ART began as a creative experiment and has already made waves, earning the title of Bar of the Year 2024 shortly after opening earlier this year. Located in the heart of Pempelfort, the bar is a testament to Düsseldorf’s rapidly evolving cultural and culinary scene.
On a recent visit, I caught up with Kathi Niemeyer and Patrick Schweiger, the passionate duo behind this exceptional bar. From the moment you step inside, you can feel their dedication to redefining the bar experience. What started as a pop-up near Roasted Kaffeebar has transformed into a permanent space, blending innovative mixology with a dynamic art gallery. Rotating exhibitions by local artists, paired with exceptional cocktails, make this venue a true hub of creativity and community.
At its core, DSTRCT.ART is more than just a bar—it’s an experience. With their thoughtful approach to cocktails, rotating art displays, and warm hospitality, Patrick and Kathi have created a space that embodies their ethos of “mixing drinks & mixing people.” It’s a place where regulars and newcomers alike feel welcome, making it a destination for connection, creativity and conversation.
I first met Patrick behind another bar in Düsseldorf, where his talent and enthusiasm for mixology were immediately evident. Over time, we stayed in touch, sharing our bar experiences across Europe. Patrick’s travels, particularly to London and Copenhagen, have clearly influenced his approach. The drinks at DSTRCT.ART are strikingly clear in flavour, steering clear of overly sweet profiles and celebrating a refined, balanced complexity.
The menu—aptly named the “Artbook”—is a masterpiece in its own. Featuring a dozen drinks, each lovingly illustrated with playful sketches, it also includes flavour profiles ranging from fruity, bitter, complex to light, boozy, salty, sour, herbal and so on. A clever coordinate system suggests the ideal drinking time (day to night) along the x-axis and alcohol strength (low to high ABV) along the y-axis. The menu even highlights the glassware shape and style, providing subtle clues about each drink’s strength. A standout feature is their carbonated drinks on tap—a game-changer for long drinks. Typically, I avoid long drinks as they often lack depth or punch, with uninspiring carbonation. But at DSTRCT.ART, the carbonated options deliver bold flavours and lively effervescence, elevating the drinking experience. One favourite is the Granny Don’t Be Hasty, a delightful and fizzy blend of bourbon, calvados, sherry, Granny Smith cordial. It’s refreshing and nuanced.
The innovation doesn’t stop there. Sustainability is a core focus, with cocktail by-products transformed into exquisite sweets, some of which serve as edible garnishes. Behind the scenes, a rotovap hums, producing bespoke distillates that add unique twists to their drinks. Whether you’re a cocktail enthusiast, an art lover, or simply seeking an exceptional night out, DSTRCT.ART is warmly recommended by me. It’s a place where craftsmanship and creativity shine. With such a strong and inspiring start, I have no doubt that Kathi and Patrick will continue to redefine the bar scene in Düsseldorf. I wish them all the best for their future successes and look forward to seeing where their exciting journey takes them. Cheers to many more years of unforgettable drinks and art!
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