An iconic project by Nico de Soto in the heart of Paris, Danico is nothing short of an institution in Paris’ vibrant cocktail landscape. Housed within the former boutique of fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier within Galerie Vivienne, this bar is a one-of-a-kind space that beautifully melds design, history, and Italian flair with Parisian sensibilities.
Danico’s journey traces its way back to when Julien Ross met Nico de Soto in New York in 2010. Together, they decided to bring the vibrant energy of New York’s Lower East Side back to the heart of Paris.
Cut to when it opened its doors in 2016, this 50 seater cocktail bar has served as a representation of their collective creative vision, seamlessly interweaving art, design, and some of the city’s finest cocktails. At a time when Paris’s cocktail scene was shaped by longstanding classic institutions like Harry’s Bar and the Hemingway Bar at the Ritz-Carlton, the arrival of bars like Candelaria, Le Syndicat, and Danico marked a turning point. These bars brought a fresh perspective to cocktail culture in the city, introducing new flavours, formats, and a more experimental approach to drinking, tuned to the tastes of the global traveller.
Accessible through the buzzing restaurant Daroco in the evening, Danico features meticulously designed interiors by architect Olivier Delannoy. Think New York style black and white chevron marble, mirrors for the interplay of light and dark, velvet armchairs, and mood lighting.
Past a substantial velvet drape, Corentin Gaudin and his team of bartenders take the lead behind the bar, stirring up hope and romance in the form of endless delicious pours being served to unsuspecting guests. Evenings and nights at Danico are a heady mix of sublime cocktails accompanied by the most outrageously delicious pizzas.
Danico’s cocktail menus have always highlighted the team’s creativity and love for exploring new places and cultures. Aptly titled Xplorer, this series of menus, refreshed annually, draws inspiration from Nico’s travels around the world. After wildly successful editions featuring Indonesia, Mexico, and India, this year, Danico takes us to Peru.
A country defined by its breathtaking landscapes, rich Incan roots, colonial heritage, and contrasting modernity, Peru is as diverse as it is enchanting. Best known for craftsmanship, music, and world-famous cuisine – from the globally loved ceviche to the deep and delicious lomo saltado – all celebrating the country’s singular ingredients, it’s no surprise that Peru was the muse for the latest Xplorer menu.
Danico’s latest menu channels this unmistakable Peruvian spirit into each glass, offering a sensory journey through Peruvian influences, from the comfort of your seat at the bar. Among the 12 “Échappées Belles” (or “beautiful escapes”), Leche de Tigre pays homage to one of Peru’s most iconic flavors. Here, Citadelle Gin is gently infused with a ceviche distillate, balanced by the richness of coconut oil, the freshness of citrus, and the heat of aji amarillo. A hint of coriander ties it all together, delivering a memorable cocktail that is both bold and sophisticated.
For a deeper dive into Peruvian culture, Chicha Morada offers a fresh take on Peru’s beloved purple corn beverage. Danico’s version blends Grey Goose Vodka with chicha morada and clarified apple juice, creating a vivid balance of earthy sweetness and crisp fruit, where ancestral ingredients meet modern technique.
With its Peru-inspired creations, Danico transforms its bar into a celebration of culture, flavour, and creativity, reinforcing what we have always maintained – that their cocktails are some of the best in the city and that their strength lies in their ability to consistently deliver approachable yet extremely memorable drinks that quickly become favourites in any seasoned cocktail lover’s repertoire.
We shouldn’t have to convince you to visit a bar as iconic as Danico but sometimes, even the wisest among us could use a nudge.
Put this on your Paris itinerary and tell us what you thought!
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