Volga, bar d'atmosphère

What more can we add when the name says it all! Well, nearly: a terrace with scenic views of the Batte market, dark tones, barstools and cozy corners with Chesterfield armchairs… This cocktail bar docked along the Meuse River is the perfect spot for partying hard or taking it easy. Opened in 2016 by Laurent Hanquet (a former set designer and art teacher), who first teamed up with Mihai Trusca followed by Idris Biçak, Volga has made a name for itself thanks to a cocktail menu crafted using carefully-sourced ingredients – some even concocted themselves! Take the mighty fresh Claudine, made with Lillet, sour white wine and lime leaves; the From Volga With Love mixing gin and homemade ginger and citrus fruit wine cordial; or even the well-executed Espresso Martini, which gets the job done right. The lot at €10 a pop, all beautifully presented and polished off in a snap. Thirsty for more? What about a Black C, a local stout from Brasserie C (€4.80 for 330 ml), a Curtius on tap, with notes of citrus fruit and coriander, from the same brewery (€4.50), or Fritz Cola (€3). Soak up the goods with a mixed Volga platter, which varies depending on the season and what’s available at the farmers’ market, featuring the likes of pastrami and cheddar club sandwiches, tomato and basil polpette, pepper tortillas with hot sauce, zaatar roasted sweet potatoes, or lavender and orange halloumi (€15). There’s also a whole host of events, including a monthly Sunday brunch in collaboration with Fabrice Malpas. // Jessica Fletcher