INNOVATIVE INTERACTIVE COCKTAILS AT NEW NORDIC ARTBAR

FRED BY FISKEBAR

by Chené Koscielny

We’re not always a great fan of stuffy hotel bars with bland background music and staid interiors, but sometimes we can be tempted to try one which promises to go beyond the obvious.

FRED by Fiskebar – is such a bar.

Newly opened, next to popular Scandi eaterie, Fiskebar at the The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix – this so-called art bar with a strong Nordic twist is worth popping in for an ‘interactive cocktail’. It’s more of an experience, than just an apéro in the bar – and we like it a lot.

If you fancy yourself a bit of a socialite, this will be right up your alley.

Result of a long-term cooperation between hotel and D10 Art Space, FRED is aimed at attracting Geneva’s convivial bon vivants, whatever that means, but we like the sound of it.

Our first impression is definitely arty – a bit like a sophisticated vintage market or the lounge of an eccentric great uncle – with a bold mix of interesting furniture and art collectables. Lots to look at and loads of conversation starters.

WHO THE HECK IS FRED?

The bar pays homage to a certain Fred, whose portrait you’ll find looking large in the first of two rooms. Dating back from Danish royals, Fred is apparently some aristocratic socialite, well-loved by locals for his philanthropic gestures and for being a bit of a player.

The family’s enfant terrible, Fred followed love to Geneva where as an avid philanthropist, he championed emerging artists, supporting the avant-garde art scene from his favourite hang-out at the former Hotel de la Paix.

WHAT IS AN INTERACTIVE COCKTAIL? YOU MAY WELL ASK

The eight handcrafted signature cocktails bring to life the visual arts through interactive mixology. Each cocktail has a story to tell, combining artistry with a fabled narrative, while herb-infused aquavits are served with traditional pipette.

One such cocktail for example is the Mead – believed to have been an ancient nectar of the gods – served with a paint brush and red paint – for you to mark your glass– as was customary according to legend. We’re coming back to try this one!

All of this can be perfectly paired with a selection of Nordic amuse-bouche produced in the Fiskebar restaurant next door.

The lovely bar lady, Flavia, from Brazilian and French origin, served our drinks and will tell you as much (or as little) as you’d like to hear about your tipple – including ingredients and fables.

WHAT WE TRIED – AWAKEN YOUR INNER GODDESS

We tried the Freyja – a lovely violet-hued lavender infused girly cocktail with gin, verjuice and tonic and cardamom – topped with tiny blue butterfly pea flowers.

This one is said to have been inspired by a Nordic goddess of the same name who represented love and beauty and you’ll find an imagined painting of her behind the bar.

CHF26 – small price to pay for awakening your inner goddess, no?

We also tried the impressive Ågg – which has a strong kick thanks to the Carvi-infused Aquaivit (Scandi spirits) and port. The bar lady adds a whole raw egg to the drink and then grates tonka bean over it, served in a egg-cup shaped glass.

CHF26 – You need hair on your teeth for this one.

OUR VERDICT

This is obviously not cheap, but hey it’s a luxury hotel on a beautiful lake and as bars go, it’s pretty exceptional. Definitely worth trying or taking some eccentric guests to.