Do these variant-dominated times have you dreaming of faraway places? Then head over to Spootnik, a bar tucked snuggly below the restaurant Datsha Underground, at the outer edge of the Marais neighborhood. If the Soviet space program theme isn’t immediately apparent, the retro-futurist décor designed by Sveto Ekmescic will eliminate any lingering doubts: six-meter-high ceilings, mirrors, flashing lights, Plexiglas speakers pumping out crystal-clear jazz… Behind the bar, mixologists John Lenoir and Dylan Kavak (ex-Badaboum) have six €15 creations that are ready for liftoff, including a Ded Roger that combines Cognac, 30&40 liqueur, Granny Smith apple juice, lemon and verbena, shot into orbit around the powerful gravitational pull of its own tangy flavors. And no need to worry if you abstain from such powerful elixirs, you can always fall back on a house mocktail (€9, upon request). It’s also worth noting that the bar is equipped with a small dance floor and a set of turntables – and since owner Alexandre Rapoud is friends with the DJ Distrikt Paris collective, you can safely assume your evening will be successfully launched into the stratosphere! // Paul Hacket