FEATURED INT’L BARTENDER

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MARGOT LECARPENTIER

PARIS, FRANCE

Margot, a revolutionary between Combat and Capital in Paris

BY SEBASTIAN HEUSER

Raised in Normandy, Margot studied law after graduating from high school. During that time she traveled and worked in New York for two years, where she fell in love with the New York bar scene. Back in Paris, she swapped legal texts for spirits and started working at the Experimental

Cocktail Club (ECC), a speakeasy bar in the Montorgueil district. Here the idea grew to become self-employed.

The fact that cocktails are now being drunk in Paris and the scene is flourishing is certainly thanks to Margot and her comrades-in-arms; “Combat” has had a lasting impact on the scene.

There are several reasons for the name: it’s the historical name for the district although it’s hardly used anymore, then there was the struggle for funding when it opened, and it’s ultimately the feminist “struggle” of this place – something for which we are famous, and it’s about good food and drink.”

Until then, Paris was not known for cocktail bars. There were a few places like the ECC, the Candelaria and the bars in big hotels like the Ritz.

Margot and her partners chose a different concept and set up a cocktail bistro, that was open to the outside, with a large terrace. We have our own cocktails, but of course we also have wine and craft beers. “We didn’t want to be a speakeasy bar with heavy curtains; our style has to be reflected in the bar.” That’s why Margot often stands behind the bar in a soccer jersey.

The breakthrough came in 2019 when she was voted “Most Influential Bartender” at the “Cocktail Spirits” in Paris and Combat was voted the most influential bar.

The current trend is tequila, a spirit that Margot enjoys working with, as well as fine-tuning her cocktails by adding vinegar and herbs. Her goal is to create something that will surprise guests from just a few ingredients; people should know what they are drinking.

With the opening of “Petit Combat” on October 20th in Montparnasse, Paris, she continues to work on her extraordinary story on the banks of the Seine, in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower and in the neighborhood of Chanel & Co.

The next big new opening will be in 2023 – and that is still to be revealed.

SIGNATURE COCKTAIL

IMPECAPRE

15 ml Caper Infused Tequila 10 ml Lemon Juice 10 ml Walnut Liqueur 10 ml White Vermouth 30 ml Suze