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When I am on my best behaviour and have washed my mouth out with soap and water, my friend and I will head off to Epernay pretending to be Patsy and Edina (I'm always Patsy) for a sophisticated evening of sipping Champagne and gossiping whilst eating continental cheese. We will get merrily ... Read review
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Advantages: Classy and indulgent Disadvantages: A little indulgent price wise
...I will head off to Epernay pretending to be Patsy and Edina (I'm always Patsy) for a sophisticated evening of sipping Champagne and gossiping whilst eating continental cheese. We will get merrily drunk on bubbles and act like ladies for a whole evening, well…….until we start shouting at the taxi driver on the way home for overcharging us.
So let me tell you about this little place where you can find my posh friend and I being Absolutely ... ...Epernay is a stylish Champagne Bar that sits on the edge of The Electric Press. The Electric Press is a city centre development in Leeds, which houses several entertainment venues including; Revolution, HaHa Bar, The Carriageworks Theatre (where I work) and Epernay. The venues edge together around a romantic cobbled courtyard, giving it a European feel.
A little fact for you in case the question should ever pop up in a pub quiz. more
Leeds nightlife may have a bad reputation with its binge drinking culture and influx of Weatherspoons. However, those in the know will be aware of the spots to visit, where you will be free from being vomited on by an overexcited 16 yr old dancing to the YMCA.
Some people may believe I have very little class but I do drink champagne and stuff (not sure what the other stuff is though). I was once asked if I was from Harrogate, so I can occasionally fool people into thinking that I am part of this higher society that exists in West Yorkshire. When I am frequenting the more stylish of bars I also improve my language by replacing phrases such as "Yer what?" with the more pleasant "Pardon me?". I'm not too keen on doing it, but it stops people staring at me and shaking their head in disgust. These are the small sacrifices you have to make to fit into the Yuppie world.
When I am on my best behaviour and have washed my mouth out with soap and water, my friend and I will head off to Epernay pretending to be Patsy and Edina (I'm always Patsy) for a sophisticated evening of sipping Champagne and gossiping whilst eating continental cheese. We will get merrily drunk on bubbles and act like ladies for a whole evening, well…….until we start shouting at the taxi driver on the way home for overcharging us.
So let me tell you about this little place where you can find my posh friend and I being Absolutely Fabulous….
Epernay Champagne Bar
Epernay is a stylish Champagne Bar that sits on the edge of The Electric Press. The Electric Press is a city centre development in Leeds, which houses several entertainment venues including; Revolution, HaHa Bar, The Carriageworks Theatre (where I work) and Epernay. The venues edge together around a romantic cobbled courtyard, giving it a European feel.
A little fact for you in case the question should ever pop up in a pub quiz.
Epernay is a town surrounded by vines in the heart of the champagne-Ardenne region of France.
(I love letting other people paddle in my fountain of useless knowledge)
How Do I Get In?
The bar is entranced through an archway into the courtyard (from Great George Street) Upon entering the courtyard you are welcomed with a classy but comfortable seating area edged in beautiful greenery. You can take a seat outside or head into the bar to a larger area, which is dimly lit and has cosy leather sofas.
Tell Me More, Tell Me More…..
The bar is rather small, sleek and stylish. It serves a variety of 41 champagnes and over 100 different types of cocktails. The atmosphere is comfortable and classy without being pretentious.
There are approximately 10 small circular tables outside which seat 4 people on each, and there is a larger seating area inside. The tables are clean and are set with a clean ashtray and a branded matchbox. In the centre of each table there is a Champagne bottle holding a candle with wax spilling down the edge of the bottle. I think this is a lovely romantic touch but I do have a bad habit of picking the wax off of the bottle. A menu also sits on each table detailing the drinks and food available.
The bar itself is immaculately clean and you are unlikely to finish your cigarette before a waiter will exchange the ashtray for a clean one. The waiting staff are very friendly and accommodating (I believe most of them are European), and will approach you once you have selected a table. After taking your drinks order, you will have your drinks served to your table and be given the option of opening a tab (this could be something you come to regret later).
What's On The Menu?
Champagne can be purchased by the glass. Prices range from £4.00 for a glass of Lanson Brut to £18.00 for a glass of Dom Perignon. A favourite of mine is the Mercier Brut Rose which is still on the lower end of the price list at £5 a glass. It's a lovely, fruity Champagne, that goes down sweetly as the sharp bubbles tickle your nose.
The bar also proudly serves the most prestigious cocktail in the world. It's not a modest cocktail; its name is actually "The most prestigious cocktail in the world". The cocktail costs £45 a glass. It's described as an indulgent drink, using the finest ingredients; a luxury combination of Hennessy Paradis Cognac and Dom Perignon Champagne. Unfortunately, I've never been in a position to afford £45 for a drink, but once I get that lottery win, this is going to be the first thing I treat myself to (I must remember to start buying lottery ticket tickets).
They serve an extensive selection of Champagne, the most expensive bottle being sold at £990. I have not tried this for obvious reasons, but I am very curious to find out what it tastes like to justify carrying that price tag. The lowest priced bottle sells for £27 (yep, this is the one we usually get). The champagne is brought to you in a cooler and poured into your flutes by one of the waiters. I get terribly excited watching the bubbles fizz.
They also serve a selection of Bottled Beers, which range in price from £2.80 for a bottle of Pilsner to £18 for a bottle of Champagne Beer. They serve an original selection including a Belgian Strawberry Beer for £2.80. I have tried this but I'm not quite sure if I liked it or not. It tasted very much like strawberry juice and kind of stuck in my throat after. I've just decided I didn't like it, but it was a change from the norm.
A wide selection of Champagne cocktails and Martini's are also available along with a variety of no-alcoholic drinks. Spirits and Wines are also served, again with a huge variation in price starting at £2.50 for a House Vodka and £22 for a Fine Cognac.
But What If I Fancy A Nibble?
The menu includes light snacks, which seem to have been selected very well to fit in with the whole atmosphere of the bar. The food options are only quite limited with their main purpose being something to nibble on whilst sipping your champagne.
They serve a delicious cheese platter, which is served on a cheese board. For £4.80 you will be served a selection of cheeses (Brie, Garlic Roulade, Stilton, Cheshire and another one I can't remember the name of) Butter, a basket of mixed Crackers and Black Grapes. I love this option and always get it to share, as it's the perfect companion for a bottle of Bubbly.
Other options on the menu include Stuffed Olives, Houmus and Pitta Bread, Smoked Salmon Salad and King Prawns. Prices range from £4 - £8.
Damn…..I Ran Out Of Fags!
Fear not, the menu includes a wide selection of tobacco products. The only cigarettes they sell are Marlboro, but they do have a wide selection of cigars should you fancy living the highlife and want Hamlet to accompany your bottle of Dom Perignon.
The Bubbles Have Gone To My Bladder!
Again, to solve this little problem they have installed some bathrooms in the bar (always thinking). The toilets are individual cubicles of which there are 4 in total. 2 are for the Ladies (I suppose they think ladies visit them more), one for the Gentlemen (there are no urinals), and one for those with disabilities of the physical variety. You should be pleased to hear that the cleanliness carries over into the bathrooms. I have never had to use my spare supply of handbag tissues, as the bathrooms are always fully stocked with toilet paper. Like wise with my emergency bottle of Toilet Duck (ok, I don't really carry that about). The flushes even work too, which is surprising in Leeds. The doors are securely fitted to the frames and the locks also serve the purpose they were designed for. You can feel completely at ease whilst visiting the bathrooms, take my word for it.
But, What Kind of People Go Here?
The clientele are actually quite a mix of people. It's close to the theatre so it often gets visited before and after shows by some Arty Types. It's also quite popular with business people and professionals during the day. On an evening you're likely to find groups of people averaging between 25-45 (not that I actually went and asked people their age, that was just my overall guess). On Friday and Saturday nights it does get busy and you may not have as much chance of being seated, as it tends to act as an overflow for Revolution and HaHa. During weeknights it's a lot more comfortable. The bar is usually only half full and the atmospheres a lot more relaxing. Music is usually played at a reasonable volume and the songs are usually along the lines of "Fields of Gold" (not my ideal choice of music, but it is very fitting for the bar).
So Is It Worth Going To?
Yes darling, it's absolutely fabulous!
Epernay Champagne Bar The Electric Press 12 Great George Street Leeds LS1 3DW 01132429977
