icture this: it’s Friday night and you’ve been looking forward to a nice long cocktail with old friends whom you haven’t seen in a while. You’d like to go somewhere central and easily accessible, but laidback enough that you won’t feel awkward spending a few hours sitting around. Somewhere that you can order a martini worthy of the name, but also where your friend, who is a self-proclaimed beer connoisseur, won’t scoff at the selection. Solution: The Disitillerie. Located in the Latin Quarter, a mere two streets off of Saint-Denis, this relaxed spot has concocted the perfect recipe.

Your first impression will be that of a regular pub filled with students and locals. The cozy bar is intimately cocooned by the dark walls covered with blackboard paint and exposed brick. And the accessible décor and atmosphere seems to work.

The music plays a big part in creating the ambiance. A playlist of old high-school-mix-tape favourites blended with some more recent and equally identifiable songs are on full rotation. Although there may be an occasional acoustic performance, there is no on-site DJ. The bartender, who is the real star at the Distillerie, selects the songs.

What makes this establishment any different from its competitors? Well, first off, it’s the staff behind the bar and their flair bartending. Think: Tom Cruise à la Cocktail, but less cheesy. If you’re going to order a drink, why not be entertained? With an original list of martinis and mixes, the bartenders can showcase their craft. Killer mojitos, threatening to take over sangria’s title of the ultimate summer drink, is offered in several variations from the original mint lime, to strawberry, raspberry and coconut infused versions.