Visit the new sassy, sophisticated Cocktail and Champagne Bars at Le Monde, Edinburgh – cheers!

Le Monde, George Street

The World came to Edinburgh thirteen years ago ..

Well to be more accurate, the quirky, cool and ultra contemporary boutique hotel, Le Monde opened on George Street.

This was a really exciting concept when it launched, offering guests the choice of eighteen superior bedrooms and suites each inspired by the world’s most cultural and cosmopolitan cities, from Barcelona to Rio, Berlin to Reykjavik, Casablanca to Sydney.  In 2006, my partner  Ken and I stayed for a review visit, jetting off (as it were) to Los Angeles, a Junior Suite, in the process.

Los Angeles, Le Monde – a suite set amongst the Hollywood Stars

This really oozes Hollywood glamour, featuring dozens of portraits of famous movie stars, stunning white leather sofas, bedroom, bathroom with a round tub designed for two.

Le Monde was named Scottish Design Hotel at the Scottish Hotel Awards in that first year of of opening, as well as a runner up for its Paris Bar and as a Boutique Hotel.  Its international themed décor and design lead all the way around from bedrooms to the Bars, Brasserie and Shanghai nightclub.

Fast forward to September 2019

Le Monde welcomes drinkers and diners to experience the revamped, restyled Bars and Restaurant following a major £1 million, four month renovation project.  The original, traveller’s tale around Le Monde has been enhanced with great imagination to take you on a culinary and cultural journey.

Just beyond the entrance hall is the ab fab Champagne Bar with velvet draped booth seating and high backed claret-coloured stools around the half moon Bar.

Just the place to stay awhile and sip a glass or two of Laurent-Perrier, the House Champagne, served by flute, bottle and magnum, as well as other sparkling wines and champagne.

It’s not the wizard’s yellow brick, but follow the colourful zig zag, marble road through to the Cocktail Bar with an amazing Island Bar in the centre, where you can sit on tan leather stools all around. Smart and spacious, it’s rather like a First Class Airline Club Lounge and ideal choice of seating for either couples or a party of friends.

The Cocktail Bar, Le Monde

Let’s have a taste of what’s on offer …

At a sneak preview, Ken and I had an inspiring tour around to sample a few innovative cocktails and tasty tapas.  Generation X & Millennials might think cocktails were invented in the 20^th century, but 2019 is celebrating the centenary of the Negroni invented in 1919 Florence, named after a Count who concocted the tipple.

Count Negroni and his own now legendary Gin & Campari cocktail

A book entitled “Fancy Drinks and How to Mix Them” of 1896 features a recipe for Martini, which resembles very much the classic we love to this day. The decades from World War 1 to the 1930s was the era of the cocktail, as Cole Porter would sing about in 1924 with his perfect talent for rhyming:

"Too many parties and too many beaus
They have found that the fountain of youth
Is a mixture of gin and vermouth .."

Cocktails at Le Monde, inspired from global cities

It’s departure Time at Le Monde Cocktail Bar – remember it’s 5 o’clock somewhere in the world so time for a drink.  Browse the enticing menu of fancy drinks inspired by classics and cities around the world: “Saintoge Sidecar”, the classic was invented at the Ritz Paris – the version here is a blend of Tequila, VS Cognanc, Cointreau and fresh lime juice with a dash of  champagne.

Cocktails inspired from cities around the world, jazzed up with a modern twist

“S’Bigliato” is a famous drink in Milan and means The Mistake. The story goes that a barman was trying to make a Negroni with Martini rosato, Aperol,  Campari and Prosecco, rose vermouth and bitters, creating a rather different pink drink.

Also try the “ Gin Gin Cosmo” a celebration of hip New York cocktails, the Cosmopolitan, Clover Club and Gin Mule, with Gordons Pink Gin, Edinburgh Rhubarb and Ginger Liqueur with fresh lime and cranberry juice.  I think Carrie & the gals would love it.!

Cocktails for the Sex and the City girls

Imaginative re-mixes and shake ups of cocktails too from Casablanca, Rio, Havana and Berlin as well as Cocktail pitchers for a group. And of course, fine wines, champagnes, Prosecco, spirits, draught and bottled beers.

The Brasserie, Le Monde for casual dining day and night.

Around the corner from the Bar, there are comfortable banquette seats for dining.  The new food menu is ideal for a romantic dinner a deux, or a night out with friends, sharing a few Tapas such as Chorizo & Cheese Croquettes,  Aubergine Bruschetta,  Roast Pepper and olive salad, Battered Haddock bites (like posh fish fingers), Serrano ham with broccoli, Sweet potato fries.  Also a range of steak, burgers, vegetarian and vegan dishes, sides and desserts.

Appetising lite bites and seriously good food for the modern traveller – breakfast, brunch, lunch and supper.

Sharing plates, tapas and bites – fresh local, seasonal seafood, meat and veggie food

Travel the World

Thirteen years since it first opened, this major design facelift has transformed Le Monde into a glamorous getaway in the city, perfect for any occasion.  The refurbishment was created by RYE Design, an Architecture and Interior Design Studio. The original classic Georgian features are juxtaposed beside the new cool, contemporary plush, luxe décor.

And of course you can stay overnight.  Each styled bedroom and suite, whatever the standard, has a 42” plasma TV screen, air conditioning, minibar, bathrooms with rainfall showers, Scottish toiletries, bathrobe & slippers, a safe, refreshment facilities and complimentary WiFi.  Select your favourite city to enjoy a themed experience with well selected photography, art, fabrics, books, lighting and cultural style.

New York, Le Monde

Marrakesh, Le Monde

The Dirty Martini, upstairs is a Bar and Salon for private parties, festive celebrations and corporate receptions, and downstairs, is the popular Shanghai Night Club.  Le Monde certainly is an all singing, all dancing international venue for drinking, eating, sleeping, leisure and lifestyle

Commenting on the re-opening, Darren Scott, the General Manager, said:

‘Le Monde has been a favourite venue in the heart of Edinburgh for many years now, and we’ve taken that wonderful idea of a trip to glamorous and exciting places and reinvented it.  The newly refurbished bar and restaurant exude the warm cosmopolitan glamour and relaxed luxury that make you want to while away the day or evening.

Our food and drink menus delve into the culture, customs and cocktails of cities around the world to create a very special selection.  Every dish and drink has been devised, blending global inspiration with ingredients in Scotland.

Celebrate a new era of Le Monde with us.’

Darren Scott, General Manaager, Le Monde

Reviews from happy drinkers and diners who have visited in September 2019 :

A girls’ weekend in Edinburgh and came here for cocktails – so good we came back a second night! Highly recommended.

Luxurious setting. Love the idea of small plates allowing to try many dishes. Not a vegan but the decorative beetroot dish was to die for. Cocktails from around the world were fab.

The new cocktail menu is impressive, themed on different cities around the world. Looking forward to trying out the new champagne bar!  Ching ching.

Take a trip to Le Monde soon to discover a world of possibilities in its new era with a sassy new look,  classy, classic cocktails, delicious dining and luxurious interior – a place to eat, drink, sleep and party the night away.

Le Monde – Bar, Brasserie, Hotel, Nightclub

16 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PF  –  https://lemondehotel.co.uk/

Le Monde for cool cocktails, champagne and drinks galore

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