Balthazar, the king of bars where nothing is left to chance

undefined 11 mars 2020 undefined 18h15

The Editor

© Jessica Calvo

Behind this enigmatic name and a royal blue terrace overlooking the corner of Rue du Mirail hides one of the trendiest bars in the city of Bordeaux. With its constantly enriched programming, we discover that the spot that housed Camelot had something up its sleeve. Immense, halfway between New York, London, and Brussels, this atmosphere-filled bar serving cult beers and joy of life has left nothing to chance. Its name is Balthazar.

Gone are the narrow entrance and the old billiard room of this former bar where it wasn't always pleasant to stay late. In the heart of this must-see changing student neighborhood, the spot has managed to take its place as king. And king is what we're talking about here, because Balthazar is none other than the last sovereign of the Kingdom of Babylon. "Yes, so what," you may ask, why name a drinking establishment after a wise king? Simply because it is said that the Kingdom of Babylon was where this joyful beverage called beer was born, a fact that you will be sure to remember and proudly bring up during the evening.

The King of Bars: 10m Long, 18 Taps, and Sharp Cocktails

It goes without saying that the sacred drink holds a special place at the bar, as hand-painted murals and 18 taps lining a 10m long bar (just like that) clearly attest. And when it comes to references, it's the cream of the crop: Delirium, Cuvée des Trolls, Carolus Triple, Brooklyn, Magners, Vedett, Trappe, Bacchus, Chouffe. The best of each country can be found in the taps or under the bottle caps. Whether enjoyed in half or in a pitcher of 1.5 or 2.3 liters (a rare and noteworthy option for big drinkers who like to share), the bar truly deserves the nickname of a bar for "Cult beers & Nice drinks" brightly lit on retro-chic neon signs. Rest assured, Balthazar also offers a wide selection of cocktails, including classics and current favorites.

Great prices, dance nights starting on Thursdays, and broadcasted matches

And because life is not just about beer (there are nice drinks too), you will also find the classic favorites. The establishment is proud to offer a great selection of gin, rum, and whiskey that.

are enjoyed in a Thomas Shelby style Chesterfield, neat or in cocktails like Mojito, Spritz, or Caïpi. For slightly Latin evenings, mezcal and salsa are preferred, saving good wine for daily toasts. Once the first glasses are emptied and hunger strikes, the establishment offers quality charcuterie and beautiful tommes from cheese dairies to replenish. Between the all-night long Happy Hour on Tuesdays, the dance nights on Thursday/Friday/Saturday (to be quickly noted in your agenda), the match screenings on 3 screens, the atmosphere is varied and everyone will find their favorite niche. But our true favorite, undisputed, are the Jackpot Sundays. The concept is simple, and unprecedented to our knowledge in Bordeaux. Every Sunday, from 5pm to midnight, Bordelais will have the chance to win their round. To participate, it couldn't be easier: roll the dice 3 times. The lucky winners of a double 6 will have their drinks offered.Once you hit double the jackpot, it's time for a round of shooters! Since the launch of these Jackpot Sundays, already about ten happy customers have taken advantage of the free rounds. Crazy, right?!
Come enjoy our Happy Hour every day from 4pm to 7:30pm! When the brief Happy Hour is over and the room slowly starts to come alive, the state-of-the-art sound system at the back joins the party (creating 2 rooms - 2 vibes). To the beat of the festive playlist and the colorful lights dancing in sync, we'll be searching for "a spotlight, the spotlight god" like the mint-eyed girl, easily leading us onto the dance floor "until the end of the night". With its warm industrial decor, hand-painted beer logos by Jean Bataille on red brick walls adorned with fifteen vintage streetlights, it almost feels like Brooklyn, swept away by the warm atmosphere of New York streets.

Leaning against the pinball machine, on the dance floor or gazing at the street from a woven nylon chair, it is said that we linger there. No coincidence, we'll make a mess...


Balthazar
8 Rue des Augustins, 33000 Bordeaux
7/7 from 4pm to 2am
Happy Hour from 4pm to 7:30pm
More info here
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