Hotspot Bar Rouge: a bar, restaurant and club all in one (not cheap, but sexy!)

For everyone who thinks the steamiest nights are already behind us: you haven’t been to Bar Rouge yet. From arousing cocktails to exciting live acts: this place exudes sex. A wonderful escape from all the coronavirus misery!

Bar Rouge is located on the Singel in Amsterdam, in the Odeon building, where things are really buzzing. After all, this is also where you’ll find HappyHappyJoyJoy, cocktail bar Flying Dutchmen and the Supperclub. The latter has not opened yet due to coronavirus, but hopefully it won’t be long now. Bar Rouge is located on the piano nobile, where two almost hidden period rooms have been transformed into an intimate Parisian bar and nightclub.

Upon entering

It immediately becomes clear that this is not just any restaurant. The red interior and sultry red lighting are a reference to French cabaret from times gone by: boudoir chic, with leather benches, silver disco balls and luxurious deep-red curtains. And then there’s the neon lighting above the cocktail booth, with its bright message: I fucking love fucking you. And that 69 on the menu? Yep…

Fatty tuna in your tummy

We kick things off with champagne, because no drink is more exciting, if you ask me. The dishes on the menu are intended for sharing. The incredibly friendly waitress, dressed rather demurely for a place like this—in a simple black dress and Dr. Martens—recommends starting with the sushi platter (€45), so we immediately get to try the best sushi on the menu. The name of this dish: ‘Let the good times roll’. Funny.

The individual sushi pieces also have names like ‘Slammin’ Salmon’, ‘Fatty tuna in your tummy’ and ‘We’re jammin’ with salmon roll’. Names aside, it’s of course all about the flavour, and that is absolutely spot-on. Prefer meat? Then order the ‘I love meating you platter.’ A combination of both is also possible: ‘Cha Cha real smooth’ (€79,50).

King Crab in a lightbox

The rest of the menu consists of various Asian fusion dishes, of which the King Crab, served with different kinds of spicy mayonnaise, is the most expensive (€29,50). It is served on a kind of lightbox, whose function isn’t entirely clear to me, but then again, this isn’t just any ordinary place. A shout-out is also due to the music, because the DJ is playing some seriously good tunes—think sultry soul.

Let the show begin!

While we eat and shamelessly gaze at the neighbours—this really is a place to see and be seen—a beautiful voice suddenly rings out from the back of the room. ‘This is a man’s world, this is a man’s world, But it wouldn’t be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl..’ Singing, she slowly walks through the room to loud applause, because she is so good! We order a cocktail; we’re in the right place.

After one duet, the singer has already flown off, but a little later a dancer flutters through the room. Waving enormous feathers, she takes her place on a pole and performs a display of erotic acrobatics that leaves our mouths hanging open. Sexy eatertainment, love it!

Go!

Unfortunately, it is not (yet) possible to enjoy a classic night out at Bar Rouge, complete with fireworks on the dance floor, because of coronavirus. But as long as you remain seated at your table with your party, Bar Rouge offers a wonderful and unique evening!

Bar Rouge, Singel 460, Amsterdam

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