Little Red Door – Architecture inspired drinks

I was at the right time at the right place when Little Red Door said good night to the Evocative Menu and hello to the Menu of Applied Architecture. The team spent six months on learning the history of architecture by visiting museums, attending university courses and talking to architects. 

The result: 11 drinks inspired by architecture. 11 drinks for 11 movements. A lot of research and a lot of dedication have made it into a drink experience.

Have you ever thought about how Art Deco would taste? Or Modernism? Or the heavy Brutalism? Have you ever been to Little Red Door?

Once upon the time there was a little red door in Paris, that gave the bar the name. Behind the door you will find a kind of speakeasy tiny bar for elegant drinking. You feel like you are in a chic and cosy cellar vault with its exposed stone and brick. The L shaped bar is the heart of the venue. There are some heavy velvet-covered bar chairs and also some loungy furniture with colourful patterns. It is a beautiful and cosy mix-and-match. A mezzanine floor provides some extra space to sit. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming. It‘s not the first time I have been in this bar. It‘s an institution and everybody who likes cocktails and comes to Paris should at least visit this place once. 

I was early and found my spot at the bar right next to some other cocktail enthusiasts, who were also very excited to try this extraordinary sounding menu. The artistic evocative menu was already a new approach of interpreting drinks but architecture seems more comprehensible for me.

The Menu of Applied Architecture comes as a high gloss booklet with a list of 11 architectural ambitions ranges from primitivism to deconstructivism. On one page you have the name, one sentence that summarises the architectural movement and the list of ingredients. On the other side of the page you have a print corresponding to the movement. The surface of each print is also corresponding, a nice detail.

I started off with „order, colour and geometry“. Art Deco is based on rye, cognac, fermented dates, violet tea and a colourful host for decoration. A nice cognacilious drink, perfectly balanced, with a light sweetness presented in a geometric glassware. I was pleasantly surprised by the strong character. The next drink of choice was based on Fonctionnalisme. „Shape follows function“: a simple glass, a clear tequila taste and three drops of functional oils, that give the drink a nice viscosity. My favourite by the way. Each drink has its own charm and style. They are visually stunning as they are well-balanced and easy to drink. Depending on your mood and taste, you will find your perfect drink.

Very heavy and straight comes Brutalism. Raw concrete identifies the style and oxidised vermouth, elderflower liqueur, roasted citrus and agave are served in a handmade heavy concrete vessel. Deep fried elderflowers are used for the decoration. All drinks are served in different vessels. Presentation is one of the key factors that creates anticipation. You have the architectural movement and an idea how they look like. Also, you have touched some objects and surfaces of the different styles. At Little Red Door you have the possibility to experience architecture in a very sensual way. Afterwards, you know how Brutalism or Art Deco can taste like.

Remy Savage won the title of World’s most imaginative bartender in 2014 and I would say that this menu is also one of the most imaginative and creative menu at the moment.

You don’t need to be an expert about architecture to enjoy the drinks but they will leave a lasting impression. Architecture has inspired not only the drinks but also me.

I like Remy a lot, his smile, his shaking and throwing technique and his lovely apron. I met him several times in other cities and always felt a warm hospitality. At Little Red Door I spend this time three nights in a row, I was close to get an apron but I got my own label on the bar counter. Beside cocktails Remy actually loves to use the label machine.