Nightlife – Bordeaux Expats https://bordeauxexpats.com A guide for the International community of Bordeaux Wed, 27 Mar 2019 13:40:29 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.3.2 https://bordeauxexpats.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/cropped-Logo-3-32x32.png Nightlife – Bordeaux Expats https://bordeauxexpats.com 32 32 Where to find good whisky https://bordeauxexpats.com/2010/07/where-to-find-good-whisky.html https://bordeauxexpats.com/2010/07/where-to-find-good-whisky.html#respond Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000 https://bordeauxexpats.com/?p=351 Living in Bordeaux, we aren’t short of finding a place to buy a bottle of red! But what about where to go for a wee dram […]

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Living in Bordeaux, we aren’t short of finding a place to buy a bottle of red!

But what about where to go for a wee dram of whisky?

Look no further than the whisky and wine specialists at ‘Cave Art et Vins’ located in the heart of Bordeaux at Place du Palais (at the the foot of the majestic Port de Cailhau).

The cellar with its 200m2 floor space, offers visitors a rigorous selection of more than 1500 wines, champagne, alcohols, beers & spirits.
More than 700 whiskies are at your disposal, nearly 100 beers from all over the globe (Belgian, German…) without counting the 700 wines from the vineyards of Bordeaux, France and the world.

A special mention has to go to the display for the whisky, which is very tastefully presented in the corner of the shop. You’ll find a vast selection of malts and a chance to chat to the owner, who knows just about everything you need to know about choosing a good bottle (not bad for a Frenchman!).
They organsie free public tastings most weeks and also do private functions.
Where: Art et Vins, 2 Place du Palais, Bordeaux

http://www.art-et-vins.com/

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The Beerdeaux Pub Guide – The Dog & Duck https://bordeauxexpats.com/2014/02/the-beerdeaux-pub-guide-the-dog-duck.html https://bordeauxexpats.com/2014/02/the-beerdeaux-pub-guide-the-dog-duck.html#respond Sun, 09 Feb 2014 10:31:00 +0000 https://bordeauxexpats.com/?p=187 Bordeaux Pub Guide The Dog & Duck – It’s a Quacker!! Named after the Manchester boozer where the landlord hails from… To check out the latest […]

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Bordeaux Pub Guide

The Dog & Duck – It’s a Quacker!!

Named after the Manchester boozer where the landlord hails from…

To check out the latest addition to the burgeoning Bordeaux boozer scene get down the The Dog & Duck for its impressive range of beers, cocktails and shooters (food coming soon!)…

The perfect outdoor beer venue – once this Fowl weather is over…
Cheer yourself up on Ruff days


 As with all the pubs in our fine city the key to success is location location…and at 5 quai Louis XVIII, this place is spot on. Opening its doors for business just before Xmas 2013 the D&D already has a strong following. With links to the Cock & Bull (Mickey the landlord is the C&B bar manager) they have a solid draught selection as well as the imminent arrival of bottled Real Ales and a sensational range of cocktails and shots. 

NEVER MIND THE BOLLOSC


 They also have several sports screens and the bar/layout has an upmarket feel to it. But what really sets the Dog apart is its proximity to the Quais with a new tram stop being built alongside and the soon-to-be installed terrace. Once the winter rain is over this place will be THE pub in Bordeaux for summer pints overlooking the river. Don’t be surprised to see this patch of Bordeaux pavement packed out during the Brazil World Cup, 14 juillet fireworks or as a warm up for matches at the new stadium coming soon… 

Clean upmarket gastro-pub interior

 So anyway, down to business…

Happy Hour is 3-8pm everyday and all day Sunday. On tap are Fosters, Heineken, Edelweiss, Affligem red fruit and Dog & Duck beer – €3/€6. Add to this Murphys, Magners, Newcastle Brown and Guinness – €3.50/€6. Bottles beers for €5 are Corona and Bud to be followed soon by some decent English brews.

The ‘Dogs Bollosc’ Cocktail list is a veritable work of art with tempting concoctions such as the Long Island Longuito, Mickey’s Magic, Moses’ Mercy and the Davies Dragon to name but a few – €6.50/€5 Saturdays and big ones for €9.50/€7.50 Saturdays. The list of ‘Bombs’ could strike fear into any liver – Dog Destroyer, Ice Bomb, Pepper Spray, Atomic Bomb and the famous Jäegar Bomb – €5 + about €10 for painkillers the next day… There is a superb selection of fine whiskies – €8 and a terrifying Jäegar machine. 

Nowhere to hide – THE JÄEGAR MACHINE!!!

 The weekly shenanigans are as follows: 
Monday – pitcher + four shooters – €20
Tuesday – Joker night (pull a joker from the deck and he pays for your drink)  
Wednesday – Student night (Happy Hour all night on presenting a student card)
Thursday – Quiz night, think your a wise guy..? Prove it!
Friday – Party Night, (music on demand) Tell them what you want to hear and they’ll play it. Also €20 for 10 shots (normally €3 a shot)
Saturday – Cocktail Night (special prices on cocktails and shooters all night)
Sunday – Happy day, (the best hour for Happy Hour…is every hour..!)

Getting the shots in…


Crisps for the time being are Pringles and Lays awaiting the signing of a new supplier contract. The kitchen was out of action when I went in but barman Greg said they were reopening soon with a new extraction system. They play Rock and Blues in the afternoon moving to a more Hip Hop selection later on as the drinks start to flow and there is a bell for tips. Staff t-shirts were supplied by the DC Urban/Snow/Skatewear store, 23 Place Pey Berland. The DC lads are mates with the landlord and future collaborative events around the Bordeaux skate scene are planned!

T’s supplied by DC urbanwear store – Pey Berland
The DC range


  This part of the central Quais has long been a host for various Bordeaux nightlife venues such as the famous Café Americain (closing it’s doors for the final time in 2007 after more than 100 years – now the café Via Luna) and the Belle Epoque café resto. Despite becoming a bit of a no-mans-land since the conversion of the dockside the Dog & Duck and new tram stop will soon see this part of town buzzing again!

The long running Café Americain – a Bordeaux institution for over 100 years

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Au Nouveau Monde – France’s first Québécois organic eco-brewpub! https://bordeauxexpats.com/2016/01/au-nouveau-monde-frances-first-quebecois-organic-eco-brewpub.html https://bordeauxexpats.com/2016/01/au-nouveau-monde-frances-first-quebecois-organic-eco-brewpub.html#respond Thu, 14 Jan 2016 09:17:00 +0000 https://bordeauxexpats.com/?p=133 “Bois le changement que tu veux voir dans le monde” – Charest If your looking for somewhere a bit off the beaten track to imbibe a […]

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“Bois le changement que tu veux voir dans le monde” Charest

If your looking for somewhere a bit off the beaten track to imbibe a few hearty organic New Year ales, then take a stroll over to Au Nouveau Monde, at 2 rue Boucheries – just off the Cours Victor Hugo. Founder of France’s first organic brewpub, Québécois zymurgyologist (ale-grandmaster) Etienne Charest has brought an entirely unique and original concept to the rapidly expanding Bordeaux beer world. Beer is going back to its roots.
          After a frantic final week of painting, sanding, polishing and cleaning up, Au Nouveau Monde opened its doors just before Christmas. Hailing from Montréal, Etienne mastered the art of brewing under the guidance of Quebec’s micro-brew ‘Pope’, Michel Gauthier. Moving to the Languedoc in 2010, he took on the French world of craft beer by creating his own micro-brewery and testing the recipes out on the local markets. His beers went down a storm and gave birth to the idea of creating his own organic brew pub as well as the Slow Beer France Association – the SBFA organizes tasting sessions, beerology lessons and brewing training for both amateurs and professionals alike.

Standing tall against the industrial uniformity of mass brewing, the Slow Beer Movement actively supports environmentally friendly organic agriculture, craft brewing and the full diversity of all the different beer tastes – read on here: http://www.slowbeer.fr/
The bar’s canoe to keep you afloat after several pints…
       

          Etienne set his sights on Bordeaux and devoted all his time, energy and finances to finding a decent location and launching a Ulule crowdfunding program. Under a year later, he’s reached his cash target and is ready to open for business.. Although he told us that “a little more wouldn’t have hurt” – €7000+ raised from 130 donations isn’t too shabby!



Au Nouveau Monde has a simple but effective formula: 
  • 100% organic beer brewed onsite in the basement and sold upstairs on tap
  • Bespoke, personally selected hops sourced from a Belgian organic specialist based on the principals of fair trade and reducing the carbon footprint 
  • A pub powered by renewable energy with all the (Québécois) food and beverages sold in keeping with Etienne’s personal values of eco-sustainability and environmental awareness
  • Various varieties of beer on tap from IPA and Black IPA to Bitters and even a Porter! And the possibility of bottling later on through a partner… TBC
  • He’s also gonna serve a mean organic Poutine – for the uninitiated, that’s Quebecois homemade chips in gravy with cheddar ‘curds’ on top – Serious bizzle and nothing whatsoever to do with Vladimir…
One of the luscious food offerings; 
100% VEGAN Burger & Frites
– Buns from BioFournil,
– Croustillants de tofu fumé au thé noir from chez Locadélice,

– Frites maisons fried in sunflower oil,
– Sauces and petits légumes concoctés made with love by their super cuistot Luca …

Bordeaux Expats went down there a few weeks ago to grab some first hand info and see how Etienne was cracking on.
Au Nouveau Monde’s state-of-the-art brewing system


THE INTERVIEW


     Please can you describe your new concept in 10 words…?
A brewpub offering organic beers and food, in a Quebecois ambiance, powered by renewable energy.

     What brought you to Bordeaux?
The quality of life. We have all the benefits of a big city without the downsides. Plus, what really played in favour of Bordeaux is that it’s a city known for its great wines. If the Bordelais appreciate the subtleties of these wines, they are ready to do the same with my beers.

The logistics of setting up a modern brewery in a medieval basement…
     
What inspired you to create Bordeaux’s first organic craft beer bar?
I’m a Montréaler and Montréal is a city known for the quality (and quantity) of its craft breweries. Beer is a fun and festive product that combines many domains: science, craftsmanship…There are so many things to learn and discover! I’m passionate about beer, so I knew I would do something around it. Secondly, I wanted to take action. I wanted to live up to Gandhi’s statement – Be the change you want to see in the world. I wanted to set up a business that would reflect my personal values: ecology, equity, non-violence, respect. That’s the more serious stuff. And then came the realization that I could combine the two… offer a festive environment while living out my passion and take action while staying in coherence with my personal ethics. Et voilà!

                “Be the change you want to see in the world” – Gandhi


     Tell us about the brewing process and the hops involved.
Brewing is fascinating and mysterious. Despite the modern understanding of the biochemical reactions involved in brewing and the technical mastery of the process, there always room for the unexpected! After all, we are dealing with a living process.  It’s the yeast that makes the beer. We, the brewers only make the wort. Did you know that yeast “reproduce” by themselves through budding? There’s no male involved – it’s a mother-daughter relationship. I really like the idea that I’m working with capricious ladies, who sometimes don’t want to work as I would like them to!

Create more recipes. We have 7 taps available, so I want to have them all for different beers. To start experimental brewing with unusual ingredients. To offer brewing training courses both for amateurs and confirmed brewers, who would want to go pro. The eventual goal is to extent our opening hours and offer awesome organic lunch in the afternoon.
A feast of hops!!

     What’s your vision of the future of the Bordeaux beer scene?
I think it’s going to be huge. More and more people are interested in brewing, both at home and professionally. I have heard of so many projects lately and there are more projects to come. In turn, this will push the standards up, with more demand for excellence, both in the finished product and the know-how available for the brewers. Hopefully, there will also be more offer for brew houses, as there are very few of us on the scene at the moment.

     Anything you’d like you’d like to add for our Expat readers?
     Come and visit us, whether to talk about beer, brewing, the state of the world, to sip a refined brew or quench your thirst, our doors are open for you!

It begins!!!

 *Thanks very much to Etienne for taking the time and energy to share his passion – Bordeaux Expats for one is very much looking forward to heading over to Au Nouveau Monde ASAP to guzzle down a few dozen quarts of ale.



Bordeaux’s beer bar has just been raised..!


Au Nouveau Monde
2 rue Boucheries

09 81 18 00 54

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The Beerdeaux proper pint guide – by Bordeaux Expats https://bordeauxexpats.com/2016/10/the-beerdeaux-proper-pint-guide-by-bordeaux-expats.html https://bordeauxexpats.com/2016/10/the-beerdeaux-proper-pint-guide-by-bordeaux-expats.html#respond Fri, 07 Oct 2016 11:25:00 +0000 https://bordeauxexpats.com/?p=117 An expat guide on where to grab a decent pint in the posh wine capital…   Believe it or not, brewing has a long and illustrious […]

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An expat guide on where to grab a decent pint in the posh wine capital…
 
Believe it or not, brewing has a long and illustrious history in Bordeaux. The Fischer brewery branched out from Alsace in 1806 to set up the Grande Brasserie de l’Atlantique on the banks of the Garonne (Quai de Brienne on the site of the new Jean-Jacques Bosc bridge) and used Bordeaux as a base for exporting beers to the colonies and beyond. They ran stalls at all the Bordeaux international fairs in Quinconces and closed down as recently as 1979. They had a German brasserie beer garden and café overlooking the river which is still within living memory. There was also the Goledzinowski family who ran a lemonade/soda factory and Brasserie de la Gironde in Le Réole who made beers up to the 1950’s.
          Zooming up to the present day, Bordeaux has undergone a beer revolution in recent years. From the pint-wasteland of 1989 when the city’s first pub, The Golden Apple opened, there are now countless pubs in the city centre in a variety of locations and offering a diverse range of experiences.

Here’s a list of personal favourites based on years of fighting to maintain a healthy Anglo-Saxon beer intake in the face of wine sipping locals and extortionate prices!
HAPPY HOURS
 
Beer is unfairly over-priced in France so if you’re after more than a half, it’s essential to head straight for the nearest Happy Hour. *Disclaimer: the concept of a pint in France is a very liberal term for around 50cl – prices are based on those listed on the pub websites/the people that wrote back to me on Facebook and are subject to change.
 
Here’s a list in price order…
Le Camelot€2.50 a pint of lager, beer towers – 5-8pm every day
Student bar hidden away behind Place Victoire, they have quizzes and a pool table. There is also a small terrace which fills up fast! If you fancy a mojito for €3, nip round the corner to El Chuchumbé on 6 Rue de Causserouge…
– 8 rue des Augustins (Place Victoire tram stop)
Vintage Bar€3 a pint of lager – every day – 4-8pm
A buzzy place with plenty of hipster-looking student types – plenty of cocktails  as well… El Sitionearby is great for authentic tapas and the sister Vintage Café is on the quai (19 Quai Richelieu)
– 45 rue St. James (by the Gros Cloche)
La Vie Moderne€3 a pint of lager and €3.50 a Jägerbomb – Tuesday to Saturday – 6-9pm
Vintage style bar with two floors and comfy chairs – see below for more details.
– 72 cours Alsace Lorraine (Ste Catherine tram stop)
Pub St Aubin – 25cl for the price of 50cl (basically €3-4 a pint incl. Guinness) 6-9pm
Table service which can be lengthy when it’s rammed. Sun-soaked huge terrace and eclectic blend of students, locals and criminals. Tons of sports screens showing different channels. The waiters wear kilts.
– Place Victoire
Le Rond Point €3 a pint of Heineken – Thursday, 6-8pm
Rugby bar with superb charcuterie and table tennis tournaments (!?). The perfect warm-up bar for a match at the stadium.
– 1 Av Parc de Lescure (Stade Chaban Delmas tram stop)
Mushroom Café€3 a pint of Cardinal “lager…” – €5 pint of Chouffe (8%) – 3-8pm
Grimy student drinking pit. Convenient location. The Globenearby has a terrace overlooking the place Gambetta traffic gridlock.
– 5 rue Georges Bonnac (Gambetta tram stop)
Rockwood€3.50 a pint of ‘Rockwood’ lager – every day except Sunday – 5-8pm
Recently opened trendy bar near the river and next to Quinconces. Bang next door to the Dog and Duck
– 4 Quai Louis XVIII (Quinconces Fleuve tram stop)
The Blarney Stone€4 a pint of lager – 5.30-9.30pm
Large terrace and just off rue St Catherine. Superb view of alcoholics-with-dogs encampment opposite. Regularly shows Gaelic football matches.
– 144 Cours Victor Hugo (Musée d’Aquitaine tram stop)
Golden Apple€4 a pint of lager – 6-8.30pm
Bordeaux’s oldest British pub. Cosy and packed for rugby matches…
– 46 rue Borie, Chartrons (just back from the Chartrons trams stop)
The Grindhouse€4 a pint of Kronenbourg – 5-8pm
Dingy American theme bar just off rue St Catherine – regular US theme nights and beer pong tournaments – staggering range of shots. They show all the US sport – American football, Baseball, Basketball etc.
– 24 rue Gouvéa (Musée d’Aquitaine tram stop)
The Grizzly Pub – Happy Hour every day from 6-9pm
Self-described as a ‘Canadian pub’ it’s actually a banging student hangout with tunes and carnage galore.
– 12 place de la Victoire
El Bodegon Rock Café
Student warzone that doubles as an alcoholic’s bar on place Victoire that’s the perfect warmup for the meatfest clubs down on quai Paludite. They have drinks specials and Happy Hours every night of the week and serve beer towers…
– next door to the Grizzly
Rough and ready student tavern just off place Victoire with regular Happy Hours and flowing pints. See FB page for details.
The Cambridge Arms€4 a pint of lager – 5-7pm
Cosy British ‘theme’ pub tucked away in the corner of place des Chartrons with an impressive selection of whiskies.
– 27 rue Rode, place des Chartrons (Paul Doumer/Chartrons tram stop)
The Oxford Arms – currently closed for a refurb. Keep an eye on their FB page for updates…
Sister pub of the Cambridge and Molly Malone’s they have similar décor and cater to both locals and expats. Bizarrely, I have a French colleague who passionately swears that this is the best pub in Bordeaux and that they go all the time…
– 9 place des Martyrs de Résistance (St Seurin… Gambetta tram stop)
The Cock and Bull €4 a pint of pilsner, €4.50 for all other beers – Monday – Saturday 4-8pm, Sunday 12-8pm
Popular Erasmus and expat pub they have several sports screens and a variety of Happy Hours. See their FB site for more.
– 23 rue Duffour-Dubergier (Musée d’Aquitaine tram stop)
The Black Velvet€4.50 for all pints (Happy Hour on spirits as well) – 6-8pm
Cosy friendly Irish bar near the quai. Pool, darts, large screen and the best pint of Guinness in Bordeaux (just ask the manager). They used to have an amazing darts team that played nationally…not sure if it’s still going.
– 9 Rue du Chai des Farines (Place de la Bourse tram stop)
Sweeney Todd’s€4.50 any draught pint – 5- 7pm Monday, 4-7pm rest of the week
Outside tables for afternoon sunshine and drinking venue for local expat sports teams. Decent selection of tap beers from the same supplier as the Rather Good Pub Company.
– 2 cours d’Alsace Lorraine (Place du Palais tram stop)
Houses of Parliament€4.50 a pint of Carlsberg, €5.50 for the rest – 3-8pm weekdays, 5-7pm weekends
A Bordeaux institution – themed nights galore, pool competitions, music and a sweaty epic pub quiz!
– 11 Rue Parlement Sainte-Catherine (Place de la Bourse tram stop)
The HMS Victory€4 a pint of Kronenbourg, €5 the rest – 3-8pm weekdays, 5-7pm weekends
Bordeaux’s largest English pub – two floors, pool table, darts. Large terrace and regular concerts – at the ropey end of rue St Catherine.
– 3 Place Général Sarrail (Victoire tram stop)
The Market Tavern€4 a pint of craft pilsner, €4.50/€5 the rest – 5-9pm weekdays – 4-7pm weekends
Upmarket gastropub with terrace on place des Chartrons. Decent food menu.
– 15 rue Rode – place des Chartrons (Paul Doumer/Chartrons tram stop)
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Bollywood Bar – Sporadic Happy Hours are advertised on their FB page such as buy one, get one free on all Indian beers, pints and Sol…
Bang next door to the HMS Victory (with whom they share a terrace) this place is run by the infamous ‘Prince’, a Sri Lankan cuisine warlord who set up here a few years ago. He serves superb Indian food in the summer and the place is a bar the rest of the year. You can grab some Singapore street food from Aussie Jason next door for munchies. The Prince loves cricket…
– 2 place Général Sarrail (Victoire tram stop)
Frog and Rosbif€5 a pint – 5-8pm – week nights
Beer brewed on-premises, tons of themed nights and huge HD sports screen. This place sometimes gets a bad rap but they’ve done well with it considering it used to be a prison. The bar staff are very friendly and ask for Rachel! They also hold brewing workshops for beer geeks and enthusiasts in partnership with Lydia from La P’tite Martiale.
– 23 rue Ausonne (Place du Palais tram stop)
Charles Wells group (part of the Young’s brewery):

The Charles Dickens€5 a pint of John Bull draught lager, €5.40 for all the others beers including cider, 5-9pm every day
Popular and regularly rammed English pub on the quai.
– 9 Quai de la Douane (Place de la Bourse tram stop)
The Starfish€5 a pint of John Bull draught lager, €6.20 for all the others
Previously the DNA, they had a refurb last year and are now twice the size. Tons of concerts and open mic and are a highlight of the Bordeaux hipster circuit. Large beer range.
– 24 rue St Colombe (Place du Palais tram stop)
The Sherlock Holmes€5 a pint of John Bull draught lager
Young packed pub with a varied choice of beers on tap and in the bottle and a pool table. Look out for the Young’s Double Chocolate Stout! (England’s finest, 5.2%)
– 16/18 rue Judaïque (Gambetta tram stop)
 
ATMOSPHERE
 
There is quite an impressive range of potential pub atmospheres in Bordeaux. From the French-style bistro-pub where you feel like you’ve insulted the waiters and managers’ mothers by simply turning up, to pubs that’ll magically transport you back home based on the amount of alcohol you’ve managed to consume.
Get Away from the Students!
 
There are upwards of 50 000 students in Bordeaux (including around 6000 international/Erasmus students) giving the city a young, dynamic and buzzing nightlife. However, for those of us who are beyond the unemployable, non-washing, perpetual time-wasting phase, there are plenty of places where you can grab a cheeky pint or two in peace.  
Bordeaux’s Chartrons ‘village’ has a laid back exclusive atmosphere and is well away from the carnage of the centre. Rue Notre Dame is one of the city’s highlights and has a fantastic selection of hidden and value-for-money eateries. It’s a great place to start…
Featured in a Bordeaux Expats blog, the city’s first gastropub has a spacious terrace and excellent selection of draught beers driven down from England.  On tap they have, Abbot Ale (English Pale Ale – 5%), Belhaven Craft Pilsner (German pilsner style – 4.8%), Belhaven Black (Scottish Stout – 4.2%), Magners Cider (4.5%), Old Speckled Hen (English Pale Ale – 5.2%), Twisted Thistle (India Pale Ale – 5.6%) and resident guest beers such as Double Hop Monster (India Pale Ale – 7.2%). The bottle selection is equally as impressive.
They have a more classical selection of cocktails as well. From Pimms and lemonade throughout the extended Bordeaux summer to the Mint Julep (the world’s first ever cocktail?) to the Old Fashioned and the Dark & Stormy (a version of the highball) – not forgetting GnT darling.
If you feel like soaking up some of the alcohol or recovering from the previous night, they also have a very progressive brunch and dinner selection on offer.
– 15 place du Marché des Chartrons (Chartrons tram stop)
A long-time local’s favourite, Paul’s decked his place out as treasure trove of retro-Britannic memorabilia and old world charm. He holds regular events and language exchanges and offers a traditional yet classy teatime and dinner menu. It’s a great place to get away from the crowds and meet people of a similar mindset.
On the beer front, it’s got nothing on the Market Tavern, but you can still get a draught pint of Créon-brewed St-Léon as well as Pessacais Gasconha (wheat, porter, lager, pale ale) and London Pride in the bottle.
– 79 rue Notre Dame (Paul Doumer/Chartrons tram stop)
For those of you that have been living in a cave, craft beer has swept Bordeaux like the plague over the last two years. Checkout one of the latest additions to the scene at this ultra-hipster craft beer bar at the top end of Chartrons.

They have 18 craft beers on tap that are in constant rotation. The beers are all listed on a giant blackboard and you’ll never be short of choice. Beers on at the moment include Arrogant Bastard from the Stone brewery in the US (7.2%), Libertine from Brewdog in the UK (7.2%), Donkere Vader (yep – Darth Vader…) from Birrificio del Ducato in Italy (7%) and the Holy BLIB which was brewed up the road by La P’tite Martiale (4.6%) exclusively for the recent Bordeaux beer festival – have a read of our recent blog for more info.

They advertise up to 100 types of bottled beer as well and you can get a takeaway. There is a chance you may get loads of students/hipsters in there so try going on a week night…
– 28 rue Latour (CAPC Musée d’Art Contemporain tram stop)

BEER GARDENS
 
Bordeaux has yet to catch on to the legendary English concept of afternoon drinking in a sunny pub beer garden. Nevertheless, there are a handful of places you can go to soak up the late summer nights.
Bacalan’s local secret, from the exterior it looks like a dodgy docker’s bar but opens up to reveal a large private sunny garden in the back. They only have the regular overpriced bottled beers, but given the location, it’s worth a visit. The restaurant has a 1950’s retro look and the food has decent reviews. They also have DJ nights.
– 28 rue Achard (rue Achard tram stop)
Unlikely candidate for a beer listing, they in fact only sell drinks and snacks so overpriced that they could bankrupt a Chinese wine mogul. Still it’s hands-down the best Bordeaux venue for relaxing on a sun-lounger under a parasol. Save up for a few months then relish the 18th century garden view with a frosty pint – they serve takeaway plastic pint goblets as well if you wanna sit in the park.
– Jardin Public (Jardin Public tram stop duh…)
Pricey and full of snobby hipster kids prancing around, but definitely worth it to experience an amazing rooftop view of Bordeaux at sunset on a comfy sofa – €5 for an ice cold bottle of Corona and they do mojitos etc. To be fair, they’ve done well considering it was an abandoned gas works until a couple of years ago…
– 19 Rue Poquelin Molière (Gambetta tram stop)
So called ‘Night Beach’, you’ll have to re-mortgage your house to go up there. Nevertheless, the view is nuts and grabbing a drink at sunset has to be done at least once in Bordeaux. If you feel like splashing out, you can get one of the massage treatments one afternoon and get free access to the rooftop jacuzzi for the rest of the day.
CROSSING THE RIVER..!
Less of a beer garden and more of an ex-military base/internment camp/prison, they have plenty of room to stretch out and the odd leather sofa if you get in quick. It’s a fun place to spend a hot afternoon playing table tennis/table football and watching kids on BMXs perform failed backflips. Ignore the ‘too-cool-for-school’ hipster waiters and enjoy a few pints of €5 a pint Darwin beer, brewed locally. There is a pricey organic supermarket that sells cold takeaway beers as well for the long walk back to civilization.
Recently refurbished giant beer garden, pub, restaurant, snack bar and concert venue opposite Darwin, they have a great view of Bordeaux and a range of beers on tap. They run various exhibitions as well as DJ nights and it’s a lovely Bordeaux hangout for the summer months. It has a tendency to flood when it rains too much! Read the Bordeaux Expats blog for more.
Next door to the Guinguette the Chantiers offers more of a beach atmosphere as they’ve put sand and pallet chairs and tables everywhere. Great place for afternoon pétanques and a plate of their speciality seafood. Stay tuned to their FB page for special parties and DJ nights as well which are kicking! They are also getting on the craft beer bandwagon with the imminent launch of their own microbrewery, Lalune Brasseurs.
Best of the rest… 


IN TOWN


El Chicho – “Les meilleurs empanadas de Bordeaux”
Chilean hideout nestled behind the marché des Capucins. They have a terrace, serve ice cold South American beers, host regular concerts and do an amazing churrasco and beer snacks – hard to ask for more…
– 52 place des Capucins (Victoire tram stop)
Next to Porte Caillou this trendy bar has Alsace beer on tap (Meteor lager, wheat beer and pale ale), a delicious menu (especially the charcuterie) and if it gets too hot you can go next door to get the best homemade ice cream in town at the Frozen Palace.
– 32 Rue du Chai des Farines (place du Palais tram stop)
France’s first Organic brew pub started by Québécois, Etienne at the end of last year. He has regular theme nights, brewing workshops and makes a fine selection of beers. Read the Bordeaux Expats blog for more info.
– 2 rue des Boucheries (it magically changes name up the Victor Hugo end from rue Bouquière – Porte de Bourgogne tram stop)
Round the corner from the shop on rue Ste James, they have a microbrewery on-site and over 50 bottled beers. They have theme tasting nights, brewing workshops and it’s an event space you can hire out.
– Place de la Ferme Richemont – around the old Marché Victor Hugo (Ste Catherine tram stop)
Wine bar that has a decent selection of beers to enjoy on their big old leather sofas. For the more sophisticated drinker! Whitbread Pale Ale (5.7%), Hobgoblin (5.2%) etc.
– 8 rue Ste James – by the Gros Cloche (Ste Catherine tram stop)
Board game bar with beers on tap and every game you could possibly image including the mighty Carrom(Indian finger billiards). They have regular beer parties which look pretty fun…
– 12 rue Ste James – by the Gros Cloche (Ste Catherine tram stop)
Argentinian bar with superb tap beers.
One of a cluster of cafés behind place Fernand Lafargue which all have a shared terrace that’s ideal for a chilled pint in the sunshine.
– 28, rue Sainte Colombe (Ste Catherine tram stop)
American-style surfer café in hipster central, they have Brooklyn beer on tap and a terrace you can share with overgrown-bearded student tw*ts. They also have a burger bar on place Fernand Lafargue and are mates with Darwin whose beer they also sell.
– 14 rue Ravez (place du Palais tram stop)
Retro bar with vintage décor and cheap drinks! They have a tasty Happy Hour and comfy chairs where you can groove away to the 1960’s-80’s soundtrack on the jukebox. They equally do mojito and other cocktails as well as old rums and absinthe if you want to spice things up a bit.
72 cours Alsace Lorraine (Ste Catherine tram stop)

Mainstay of place Fernand Lafargue, they recently had a refurb/cleanup and look brand spanking new! They have a range of beers on tap and a few chairs outside where you can try to blend with everyone doing their best to look cool. Santosha and Yes Mumare also close at hand if you need some nosh.
– 19 place Fernand Lafargue (Ste Catherine tram stop)


Utopia
They have a large sunny terrace overlooking place Camille Jullian – perfect for a post-film pint or just to hangout… Meteor on tap and various bottled beers.
– 5 place Camille Jullien (Ste Catherine tram stop)

Self-described as the highwayman’s haunt, the Dick Turpin is nestled behind place Pey Berland. It has two tiny tables outside on a busy road and is tight inside, however if you time it right, it’s the perfect place for a swift half if you’re in the centre.
They have recently started selling a range of interesting beers such as Old Tom classic (8.5%) and chocolate (6%), the White Hag session IPA (4.2%) and Red hop rocket (4.7%), Lion Stout from Sri Lanka (8.8%), Joker IPA (5%) and Old Jock dark red scotch ale (6.7%) amongst others.
For the more adventurous, they have regular Belote card tournaments where you can win jugs of beer as well as various theme nights. The Happy Hour is every day 5.30-8.30pm and €5/5.50 a pint…
– 72 rue du Loup (Hôtel de Ville tram stop)
Popular craft beer bar that opened last year, they give you specific advice on which beer to try based on your tastes. Order a mind-shattering Paix Dieu (Belgian Strong Ale brewed under a “full moon” – 10%…). The Happy Hour is 5.30-8.30pm and pints are €5/5.50 instead of the usual bargain €7/7.50.
– 23 Rue Piliers de Tutelle (Grand Théatre tram stop)
In the heart of hectic St Pierre, this bistro is a weird twilight zone of Baroque chandeliers, sofas, gold-framed pictures and a disturbing shrine of a baby doll in the gents loo… Not a specific beer bar (of course you can order a cold beer) but definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area just to see the insane paraphernalia…
– 25 Rue du Parlement St Pierre (Place de la Bourse tram stop)
9 different beers on tap and a large choice of bottles. Opened relatively recently and is a big hit with the locals and is near the epicenter of Ste Pierre (next street up from Chez Les Ploucs). It’s a tardis so don’t be deceived by the small exterior.
– 6-8 rue de Merignac (place de la Bourse tram stop)
Previously known as Bordeaux’s premier jazz venue they have regular acoustic concerts and plenty of Belgian beers. There is also a Happy Hour every day with a countdown clock on their website!
– 42 cours de l’Yser (Victoire tram stop)
Rock bar with Belgian beers on tap and Chimay they have Happy Hour pints at €5.50. Decent music and popular with locals. They were also one of the hosts of the recent BLIB Bordeaux Beer Festival.
42 rue de Cheverus (Hôtel de Ville tram stop)
Run by the Anglo-Irish Damien, long-term manager of sister boozer The City Bar (famed for its poker nights and cocktails) Casey’s is a relaxed little rugby pub to grab a pint before the seeing a film at UGC Gambetta. The street has evolved a lot in recent years with the addition of the English Country Kitchen amongst others, especially considering it used to be one of Bordeaux’s main red light districts… Happy Houris every day from 5-8pm and he keeps a good Guinness.
– 14 Rue Castelnau D’Auros (Gambetta tram stop)
The spiritual home of Irish Bordeaux, this place was a smash hit during the recent Euro footie tournament. Get there early and avoid any match days and you can enjoy a pint on the sun-drenched terrace opposite the newly refurbished Musée des Beaux Arts square. Regular hectic concerts and theme nights and varying Happy Hour prices (check the FB site). They have the second best pint of Guinness in town (after the Black Velvet).
– 14-18 Cours Albret (Meriadeck tram stop)
Bordeaux’s online gaming bar – GEEK ALERT. The online gaming bar concept was brought down from Paris where it started in 2012 and has now spread all over France. A big fave with gayming locals they have Happy Hours for all draught pints and pints of cocktails. It’s obviously popular as they have nearly 8000 likes on their FB page…
– 129 cours d’Albret (Palais de Justice tram stop)
Newly opened indoor surfing café with a giant wave machine and splashing reviews. They focus on American snacks and smoothies etc. but also cheekily have beers on tap and bottles…
– 174 Cours du Médoc (Grand Parc tram stop)
ALONG THE QUAIS…

Le Club House (ex Comptoir du Jazz)
Groovy chilled jazz club with enough jazz photos on the wall to transport you to the New Orleans birthplace of jazz (OK not quite). On draught the have the usual: Heineken, Affligem, Edelweiss, Murphy’s and the Club (not sure what that is so please let me know…) In the bottle you can find Corona, Leffe and Krick. Concerts and smooth grooves galore…!
– 58 Quai de Paludate (Ste Croix tram stop)
Bordeaux’s best Brazilian music venue and café/restaurant (not forgetting Carioca and their sister bar round the corner…). Street terrace and outstanding concerts on two floors. Caipirinhas are obviously the way to go here but they also have Brazilian beer… Happy Hour is 5-8pm, Wednesday to Friday – 2 Caipis bought, 3rd free and special beer discounts.
– 6 rue du Port (Ste Croix tram stop)
Up the St Michel end of the quai, they are Breton-run and have a decent range of beers including plenty of black brews… They also have regular themed quiz nights and DJ sets.
– 8 quai de la Monnaie (Saint Michel tram stop)
Bordeaux’s ‘lost’ English pub was set up by an English bloke a few years ago and is an oasis in the middle of the crazy tram intersection by the Pont de Pierre. He runs quizzes, open mic nights and regular themed evenings. Great selection of tunes.
– 52 quai Richalieu (porte de Bourgogne tram stop)
Quacking pub that couldn’t be more centrally located with rave reviews run by English Mickey. They have a great atmosphere with banging tunes, all the Premiership matches and regular table football tournaments with prizes. Read the Bordeaux Expats blog for more info.
– 5 quai Louis XVIII (Quinconces Fleuve tram stop)
Part of the Oxford/Cambridge Arms family of pubs, they are well away from the busy centre and have a spacious terrace. There are regular concerts and the standard Anglo/Irish pub food menu. The outdoor tables get plenty of sunshine and it’s perfect for a stroll along the river after a few jars.
– 83 Quai Chartrons (Chartrons tram stop)
BELGIAN BARS
If you dare venture away from 5% beers into the minefield of Belgian rocket fuel, then you can try some of the Belgian bars.
Quite simply Bordeaux’s top pool bar. Tons of American pool and English pub pool tables. Darts, Pinball and Poker tables/tournaments. Run by a very friendly Belgian bloke who always has time for a chat or game of pool. He also has loads of Belgian beers on tap and in the bottle. €5 for a pint of Cardinal and the Pauwel Kwak beer glass with stand for a late night 8.4% beer for the road.
– 175 rue Georges Bonnac (tram stop St Bruno – Hôtel de Région)
The Titty Twister
Cosy Belgian bar hidden away behind Victoire that’s a fave with Bière de Garde officionados.
Six taps and loads of bottled beer including the Cuvée des Trolls (Pale Ale, 7%), Triple Karmeliet (Tripel beer, 8.4%), Kaastel (Quadruple, 11%), Délirium (Strong Pale Ale, 8.5%), Queue de Charrue (Tripel beer, 9%), and Pauwel Kwak (Strong Pale Ale, 8.4%), with sausage/cheese plates to soak it up…
– 76 Rue Leyteire (Victoire tram stop)
Bordeaux beer Goliath, the Lucifer is infamous for its 18 tap beers, around 250 bottles and staple rock gigs. Jean also has Débauche on tap – read more in the Bordeaux Expats blog
35 rue de Pessac (Victoire tram stop)
Belgian medieval cave in St Michel (with the appropriate address of rue des MeNuts) this place has a Happy Hour from 7-8pm and a selection of Belgian and French local beers. Worth a visit to try the Black Albert (13%) which will leave you without certain key mental faculties.
– 12 Rue des Menuts (Porte de Bourgogne tram stop)
ASSOCIATIVE BARS
 
 
It’s easy to forget all the associative cafés and bars part which play a huge part in Bordeaux’s local community. You usually have to pay a token annual membership fee to join and they are quite often open after-hours for late night socialising.
Asso in the heart of Saint-Jean/Saint-Croix they offer a vast range of community activities. You can volunteer in the café, join cooking workshops, get involved with the gardening club or attend one of the regular meet-ups. They also have a terrace on a quiet square near the station and serve cold beers. Check out the Marmite if you’re in Saint Michel as well…
– 3 place Dormoy (Tauzia tram stop)
Open from 10-30pm until late they play rock/jazz/electro, have cabaret nights and have been around for over 15 years. Regular concerts and they serve beer by the jug!
50 cours de la Marne (Victoire tram stop)
Open until 2am, they opened in 2009, have affordable pints and play a mix of reggae, rock and punk. They have photo exhibitions and show films as well as hosting regular concerts and DJ nights. There is no joining fee and all money raised goes straight back into the Antidote Asso Chapeaubas.
– 13bis rue Elie Gintrac (Victoire tram stop)
Sweaty rock, punk and 80’s bar open from midnight – 6am. Grrr…
– 4 rue Gratiolet (Victoire tram stop)
Open from 11pm-3.30am this place is a cosy living-room-style night bar with leather lounge chairs and sofas. They have a decent size dance floor, normal beer prices and chilled out group of members. You’ll need a membership card if you want to get in after 2am.
– 25 rue Bouquière (Porte de Bourgogne tram stop)
Midnight – 5am, this is a simple late night bar where members can bring their own music and queue it up on the evening’s playlist. Sounds sweet…
13 rue de Guienne (Musée d’Aquitaine tram stop)
In a stone basement and open 10pm-late they have regular concerts and exhibitions.
31 rue Paul Bert (Musée d’Aquitaine tram stop)
THE BEER SHOPS
 
Le Comptoire Irelandais – Long-term Bordeaux Expats favourite, this place far pre-dates the recent beer revolution and was practically the only place to pick up imported beer as recently as 2012…
I was in there last week and they have some new brews along with the classics:
Abbot Ale in a can (England, 5% – €2.30), Telenn Du organic Breton black beer (4.5%), Terenez Breton Stout (5.6%), Black Sheep Imperial Russian (England, 8.5%), Black Wych (Hobgoblin brewery, English ale, 5%), Hobgoblin Ale (England’s legend – 5.2%), Bru Dubh Stout (Ireland, 4.2%), Sharp’s Doombar (English classic, 4.3%), ESB ‘Extra Special Bitter’ (England, 5.9% – €3.60 for a 50ml bottle), Fuller’s London Porter (5.4%), Guinness Dublin Porter (3.8%), Guinness Golden Ale (4.5%), Guinness Luxury 1798 (9% and €35…), Guinness West Indies Porter (6%), ACDC lager(Carlsberg, 5%), Iron Maiden Trooper (England, 4.7%), Trooper Red ‘N Black Porter (England, 6.8%), Motörhead Bastard Lager (England, 4.7% RIP Lemmy) and plenty more!
– 14 Rue du Temple (Gambetta tram stop)
Opened by Shari from the US in 2014, the pioneering BBS was the catalyst that singlehandedly kick-started Bordeaux’s craft beer revolution. She has regular themed tastings and workshop evenings and sells beers that you can’t find anywhere else in town. Breweries in stock include: De Dochter van de Korenaar, Dougall’s, Mala Gissona and Drunken Bros. She supplies beer barrels and pumps and knows everyone in the Bordeaux beer world. She was also the brainchild behind the BLIB Bordeaux Beer Festival.
RESPECT..!
– 57 rue des Faures (Porte de Bourgogne tram stop)

La Bodeguita Latina – A newly opened South American epicerie that has products from throughout the continent. Beers include: Negra Modelo (Mexico, 5.3%), Quilmes (Argentina, 4.9%), Club Columbia (4.7%), Poker (Columbia, 4%), Aguila (Columbia, 4%), Presidente (Dominican Republic, 5%), Polar Beer (Venezuela, 5%
– 142 cours de la Somme (Bergonié tram stop)

Adega Lusitania – The main Portuguese supermarket in the middle of Bordeaux’s Spanish/Portuguese ‘ghetto’. As well as Bacalao and all the other goodies you can find:  Sagres black (4.3%), Super Bock (5.6%) and Super Bock stout (5%). There is a Portuguese warehouse supply supermarket in Bacalan (2 Rue Edmond Besse) but they’re apparently ‘not very nice’…
– 64 cours de l’Yser (Victoire tram stop)
Aghshajaa Tel Com – One of several Sri Lankan/West African food/drink shops that are all variations on a theme. They have a fair selection of decent beers to try including:
Guinness Foreign Extra Stout (Nigeria, 7.5%), Guinness Extra Stout (Cameroun, 7.5%), Lion Lager (4.8%, Sri Lanka), Lion Stout (8.8%, Sri Lanka), 3 Horses Pilsner (Madagascar, 5.4%). The bloke over the road also sells Bombay mix if you’re keen…
– 44 rue Elie Gintrac, next to Marché des Capucins (Victoire tram stop)
Russian supermarket (for some reason there is a Russian/Bulgarian community here) just up from the porte de Bourgogne that stocks various Ukrainian and Russian beers (not forgetting a vodka brand with a bottle in the shape of an AK47). To my knowledge, it’s the only place that has the mighty king of Polish beers, Zywiec (5.6% and drink FREEZING COLD).
– 24 Rue Mauriac (Porte de Bourgogne tram stop)
Online store run by Sophie that has a showroom on the route de Toulouse. She stocks a large range of delicious wholesome products (including plenty of organic and gluten-free) and a variety of beers including Cock o’ the Walk (4.3% Scottish red beer), Midnight Sun (5.6% Scottish Porter) and Anchor Porter (5.6%, USA).
– 261 route de Toulouse
The ‘beer shop next to the Gros Cloche’ l’Amirale has around 300 beers and many that you can takeaway cold from their fridge. Paul and Bénédicte stock beers from all over the world including all the local breweries.
– 7 rue Ste James (Ste Catherine tram stop)
Belgian beer shop on the cours Victor Hugo that’s linked with the Café des Moines Belgian rock bar nearby. They stock all the regular Belgian high-powered beers we all know and love…
– 57 cours Victor Hugo (Porte de Bourgogne tram stop)
The wine bar near the Cock n’ Bull started stocking beers in 2014 and has an impressive range. Breweries include: Brasserie de la Goutte d’or, Del Ducato, Craig Allan, Siren Craft Brewery and the Danish Fanø Bryghus. They recently moved over the road to a bigger brand new shop.
– 14 rue Duffour Dubergier (Hôtel de Ville tram stop)
Opened in 2014 Benjamin and Cédric run a craft bistro-bar hybrid and do food as well. Read more about them in the Bordeaux Expats blog
Beer shop that opened last year near place Gambetta, they stock all the regular craft staples as well as a few different brews. Try the beer from the Shakespeare Brasserie which are brewed by a English lady in Navarrenx.
– 62 rue du Palais Gallien (Gambetta tram stop)
Bière et Whisky – Au Coeur du Malt – Recently opened, they sell loads of decent and pricey brands of (surprisingly) beer and whisky…
– 10 rue Georges Bonnac (Gambetta tram stop)
Fine wine, spirits and beer shop just off Boulevard Wilson run by friendly Angélique. She has Dougall’s, La Débauche and plenty more. If you phone her up beforehand, she’ll happily throw some bottles in the fridge so they’re cold when you arrive – 09 51 46 72 78
– 9 Avenue Charles de Gaulle (Gambetta tram stop + 20 mins walk…)
She has a range of imported beers including The Loch Ness Brewery, Mr Trotter’s Chestnut beer (England, 4%) and the Wold Top Brewery. Less of a shop and more of a storeroom for her online sales, she nevertheless welcomes visitors!
– 17 rue Mondon, Le Bouscat (place Ravezies tram stop)
Large chain with tentacles everywhere including the latest on place Gambetta, on cours Pasteur and in Chartrons. They all have organic beer stands with local and regional brews… As the organic craze in France continues to mushroom there are ‘Bio’ shops popping up all over the place. So Bio and Bio c’ Bon in Pessac are two more organic warehouses you can try when you win the lottery.
Bordeaux’s Asia central and they sell every variety of Asian food (incl. fresh) you could possibly ever need including crockery and Buddhist funeral fake money (you’ll need shed loads of the real stuff by the way in this place…). Beers on offer include: Tsingtao (China, 4.7%), Chang (Thailand, 5%), Singha (Thailand, 5%), OB (Korean, 4.5%), Asahi Super Dry (Japan, 5%), Sapporo Premium (Japan, 4.9%), Kirin Ichiban (Japan, 5%), Beerlao (Laos, 4.9%), Cobra (India, 5%), Bintang (Indonesia, 4.7%), Halida (Vietnam, 4.5%), Saigon Export (Vietnam, 4.7%), Bourbon (Réunion, 5%), Guinness Extra Stout (Cameroun, 7.5%). Grab a beef Pho while you’re there for good measure…
– 10 Avenue de Tourville (Brandenburg tram stop)

– Z.I. La Palu des Dartes, Latresne
and their latest addition in Merignac Soleil… 49 Avenue Henri Vigneau
They’ve recently started stocking a wide range of local and international beers – a goldmine for Pessac residents!
– 10 Avenue Gustave Eiffel, Pessac (Saige tram stop)
A cheeky little deli near the hospital, they stock some alternative local products including beers from the BAM (Brasserie Artisanale Marsac), La Pépieand La Débauche
– 105 rue du Grand Maurian (Hôpital Pellegrin tram stop)
With a vast selection of beers, pumps & barrels on hire and tap installation they are more of a distribution warehouse events supplier than a beer shop. They are notably present at the Christmas market on the Allées de Tourny so check ‘em out if you’re up there for a winter tipple…
– 22/24 rue Roger Touton (Berges de la Garonne tram stop)
OUT OF TOWN
 
There are obviously tons of pubs that need to be driven to so you’ll need a designated driver. Here’s a pick of some of the out-of-towners worth checking out.

A nationwide chain, their shops double as bars (check the FB pages for Happy Hours) and can be found at Bordeaux Lac, Mérignac, Bégles and Saint-Médard-en-Jalles. They mostly have Belgian rocketfuel but you can pick up beers such as Brewdog and Becks and they sometimes have awesome beers on tap – phone ahead for info…

Au Bureau
Sports bar/restaurant in both Merignac and Villenave d’Ornon they come recommended by various expats as a place to grab a pint or two and some Anglo-Saxon nosh while watching a match…

Le Fleur de Houblon, Rive d’Arcins shopping centre, Villenave d’Ornon
Bordeaux’s Alsace temple, it’s too far out for a regular beer drinking soirée. However, if you’re keen to venture beyond the boulevards, they have beer brewed on site, regular jazz concerts and copious Alsace dishes to soak it up. They produce 8 brews including the seasonals which are served in awesome tall handle pint jars:
La Blonde – A slightly bitter lager made with aromatic hops and grilled malt. Light and fruity and best served between 6°c and 8°C.
L’Ambrée – A heavier and darker beer with caramel tones it is made with a mix of 4 malts and goes well with main courses.
La Blanche – Brewed with a mix of malted barley and wheat this light citrus beer is a thirst quencher! Goes well with fish, white meat, grills and other summer mains.
La Girondine – A special red fruit beer brewed all year round this has hints of blackcurrant, blackberry and raspberry; there are also traces of chocolate and caramel. The perfect companion to a ‘magret de canard’, a Flammeküche or cheeseboard.
Brewed seasonally there is also the Bière de Munich, Bière de Noël, Bière de Printemps and Bière d’Eté.
– 5 Rue Louis de Funès, Villenave-d’Ornon
The second oldest pub in Bordeaux (opened in 1990), it is totally lost in the middle of Talence and run by English John and Kate Rose. The pub décor hasn’t changed since the 90’s and the John plays tunes on an old cassette recorder. Paradoxically, it’s a big hit with locals who love the ‘So British’ cliché and continue to flock there for halves of French beer, darts, cards and dominos. Cheeky beer garden for the summer months and decent Guinness…
– 2 Rue Pacaris, Talence (by car or about 20 mins walk from Peixotto tram stop)
Québec style restaurant/café and boutique, they do a selection of burgers, poutine and beers on tap etc. The boutique has a few Québec brews that you can’t get anywhere else in town. They are present at the Epicurials food festival on the Allées de Tourny in June as well.
– 263 avenue Pasteur (Pessac Alouette tram stop)

If you’re in the mood you can also hunt down the P’tit Québec Café behind the hospital (93 rue Eugene Jacquet), Etienne at the Nouveau Monde and the Petit Cabanes à Sucres on the Bordeaux Christmas market (and throughout France).
 
THE LOCAL BREWERS
 
La P’tite Martiale – Recent startup brewery in Chartrons. Read the Bordeaux expats blog to learn more!
Bordeaux Beer Factory – Local brewery set up last year who supply several outlets in town…
American Ale – India Pale Ale – Mosaïc Session
Aliénor– Started by Belgian Laurent in 2010 he is based in Saint-Caprais-de-Bordeaux and supplies almost every supermarket and beer shop in Bordeaux! Blonde (6.5%), Blanche (5.9%) Brune (6.5%) and Russe Printemps (not sure…)
Gasconha – Pessac brewery founded in 2010 – read the Bordeaux Expats blog for more info.
Mascaret– Another one that began in 2010 they are based in Rions, are part of the Château Maine Pascaud who also produce wine, have an event space and run a Gite. They have managed to get everywhere as well and are also the Organic shops…
Blonde Bio Grande Cru (5.5% lager), Ambrée Bio (6%), Blanche Bio (4.5% – 5% wheat beer)
Brune Bio (7% English style Brown Ale)

St Léon – Brasserie/bar based in Créon, they have their own beers brewed locally. Blonde is €5 a pint, Russe €6 and they have a Liqueur de Malt beer (?). Kids are welcome with their parents and can try the locally produced lemonade.
The bar itself is almost a local community centre with a WiFi connection, mini library and piano. The chef offers a beer themed menu with local produce including – Duck Sausage à la bière or Beef à la bière and they have regular theme nights with card/board games and often improvised concerts.


La Burdigala – Another part of the ‘second wave’ of local regional brewers, Grégoire is based in La Teste and you can catch up with him for a chat at the weekly local market. His beers are perfect for tasting sessions and are available all over the region. He also won a top prize for the funky design of his beer bottles!

PIP – Pression Imparfaitement Parfaite – Brewery and brewing/tasting workshops where Guillaume and Fred will help you make your own personalised beer and labels etc. Pip Super Blonde (5.5%), Pip Super Blanche (5%)
– 2 rue Achard (Rue Achard tram stop)
Bordeaux Brewer’s Club – Local homebrewing club run by English Sam Cranford (among others), they hold regular brewing sessions, tastings, demonstrations and general beer-related group meet-ups etc…
 
 
Cheers ears and drop me a line if I’ve missed anything!

 

 

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Hutong – Singapore streetfood in the heart of Bordeaux https://bordeauxexpats.com/2016/10/hutong-singapore-streetfood-in-the-heart-of-bordeaux.html https://bordeauxexpats.com/2016/10/hutong-singapore-streetfood-in-the-heart-of-bordeaux.html#comments Mon, 10 Oct 2016 08:41:00 +0000 https://bordeauxexpats.com/?p=116 Hutong – Singapore streetfood in the heart of Bordeaux After a Friday evening tipple at HMS Victory’s Happy Hour, I stumbled on a restaurant concept that […]

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Hutong – Singapore streetfood in the heart of Bordeaux

After a Friday evening tipple at HMS Victory’s Happy Hour, I stumbled on a restaurant concept that is brand new to the Bordeaux foodie scene.

Hutong, at 1 place du Général-Sarrail is a Singapore streetfood café run by an Aussie called Jason. He’s serves quality streetfood at a decent price and I’m going back there as soon as possible to eat some…

Handmade Wontons with the new spicy Sambal oil, black vinegar and fried garlic sauce

 

 

 

They’re open for lunch Weds – Sat from midday – 2.30pm and in the evenings Thurs – Sat 7.30pm – 10.30pm.
Bordeaux Expats was lucky enough to grab an interview with the man himself about the inspiration behind the idea.

 

Can you tell us a bit about your concept?

Our concept is based on the hawker centers in Singapore. In a nutshell, we’re all about good food at an affordable price in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. Streetfood that’s serious on flavor.

 

BBQ Pork, Hokkien egg noodles & bok choy

What was the inspiration for the idea?

Basically since arriving in 2012 we’ve been disappointed with the Asian food scene in Bordeaux. Like most expats, my wife (and business partner) Stephanie and I have travelled a lot in Asia and we were craving something authentic but it was hard to find. There isn’t even a Chinatown in Bordeaux. We already had a restaurant project in mind and we finally decided to choose Singaporean for 3 main reasons: I was born in Singapore so I know the cuisine well, Singaporean hawker food is amazingly good and so unique, and no one else is doing it in Bordeaux.

 

Hainan Chicken Rice

How long have you been in Bordeaux (incl. where you’ve worked etc.) ?

Been in Bordeaux for 4 years. Both Stephanie and I have worked a lot in hospitality in Sydney (where I grew up) before coming to France. I ran a couple of Japanese restaurants there that I opened there with my brother. Stephanie has a background in both hotels and restaurants. We’re also both qualified ESL English teachers.

 
Otak Otak Nasi Lemak

What’s your take on the way the city is developing?

From the short time I’ve been here I think it’s a city that’s very well run. There’s a great vibe, and of course the architecture and heritage is well preserved. I think it could be a little more business-friendly however. Far too much red-tape, bureaucracy, not enough tax-breaks for startups…but that might be a national problem I guess.

 

Chicken Satay

How have the locals taken to Singapore streetfood?

It’s been a real eye-opener for them because most don’t really know what to expect and a lot of our ingredients like pandan, gula melaka, galangal…are not common. We do almost everything on our menu from scratch: curry pastes, soup stocks, sauces… nothing comes straight out of a bottle and I think our customers notice the difference. We put our hearts and souls into each dish – the Beef Rendang for example needs 4 hours in the oven.

 
Beef Radang

 

How do you see the Bordeaux streetfood scene in 10 years’ time?

We’re crossing our fingers that there will be more and more chefs pushing the boundaries and trying more original stuff. It all depends on the customers though – the talent is out there, but the locals need to be more demanding with the quality of the food in restaurants and not settle for average. Streetfood is about reproducing signature dishes from your home country or town. Even if it’s a bit risky, you need to trust that the customer will love the dish for the same reasons that you do.

We took a risk with our Laksa Lemak, for example, which is pretty rich and spicy, but we decided not to tone down the chili because we wanted our customers to discover the real thing. Another example is our Hainan Chicken Rice, traditionally the silky smooth skin of the poached chicken is a sign of a good HCR, and though we knew that the French prefer not to eat the skin of poached chicken, we made the decision to leave it on in order to be 100% authentic.

 

Laksa Lemak

 

Do you have plans to open anymore restaurants?

Possibly. I’ll leave the decision up to the boss Stephanie, but everything depends on how this one goes. We’re in restaurants because we love it and we’re super passionate about food. So long as we have ideas that drive us we’ll go for it. If it does happen you’ll be sure that it’ll be something really original too.

 

Kaya Toast layer cake

Have you had much contact with the international community here?

Lots of expats have come in as well as tourists. We have a British couple who drive up from the Dordogne just to have our Laksa. Lots of fellow Aussies too, including some of the boys playing for UBB. It’s great because being expats they’re usually well-travelled and we don’t need to explain our dishes to them. There’s a big community of Singaporeans down near La Teste and Arcachon as well who support us.

 
Handmade Wontons

Here’s Jason’s quick Wonton tutorial…

  • Keep wrappers under damp cloth
  • Mind the size of your filling & shape into a rectangle
  • Fold the corner over the filling and gold again to cover the filling
  • Do not fold all the way up, leave the opposite corner free
  • Flatten the two ends of the wrapper
  • Pull them together, press firmly and use water to seal

 

 
HUTONG

 

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ST PATRICK’S DAY – BORDEAUX PUB CRAWL https://bordeauxexpats.com/2019/03/st-patricks-day-bordeaux-pub-crawl.html https://bordeauxexpats.com/2019/03/st-patricks-day-bordeaux-pub-crawl.html#respond Sat, 16 Mar 2019 12:47:57 +0000 https://bordeauxexpats.com/?p=4905 Over the past decade, the amount of English and Irish pubs in the city of Bordeaux has exploded. This is an extremely positive thing when it […]

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Over the past decade, the amount of English and Irish pubs in the city of Bordeaux has exploded. This is an extremely positive thing when it comes to celebrating Saint Paddy’s day as you won’t be short of any options this Sunday 17th March.

So, strap on your over sized Guinness Top hat and get on board with the Bordeaux Expat’s pub crawl! We’ve listed a few of our favourite pubs, and set out the best laid route for your to follow so that’s it’s as easy as following the Green Brick Road….

Molly Malone’s

83 Quai des Chartrons, 33300 Bordeaux

This is a locals favourite and you’re always assured of a true Paddy’s day experience. The pub will see Gerry Burton from Cork providing some typical Irish music to keep the party going.

 

Saint Patrick's in Bordeaux - Molly Malone's

Cambridge Arms

27 Rue Rode, 33000 Bordeaux

Set yourself up for a fine selection of beer and whiskeys. Grab a bite to eat and catch a bit of the Six Nations!

Saint Patrick's in Bordeaux - Cambridge Arms

The Dog & Duck

5 quai Louis XVIII 33000 Bordeaux, France

Keep the party going and walk off the fish and chips you just ate. Head along to the Dog & Duck and shift into a higher gear with a couple of their cocktails!

Saint Patrick's in Bordeaux - Dog & Duck

The Black Velvet Bar

9 Rue du Chai des Farines, 33000 Bordeaux

A true Irish pub in the heart of the old town of Bordeaux. The locals and regulars of the Black Velvet know that Paddy’s day here is an important event. Dubbed as ‘Belfast in Bordeaux’, the patron, Barry, is a welcoming chap and his team are always up for a craic.

Saint Patrick's in Bordeaux -Black Velvet Bar

Sweeney Todd’s

2 Cours d’Alsace-et-Lorraine, 33000 Bordeaux

Our favourite fish bowl pub, where you can always be assured of great atmosphere! Lance and his team are keen as mustard for Sunday, with Happy Hour (16h-19h) Pints going for €4.50, Cocktails €6!

Saint Patrick's in Bordeaux - Sweeney Todd's

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