Shake n' Smash is a cocktail bar founded in 1923 at 87 rue de Turbigo, in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris, close to place de la République. It rents out its private lounges and the whole bar for company evenings, team building, seminars and receptions, for 10 to 100 people. The official text says more than 200 companies have already used it.
Seminars and company events
Company evenings are the core of the corporate offer. The format is a cocktail reception with an in-house chef preparing the food and professional bartenders at the bar, with room for a DJ, karaoke and a photo booth. Events can run until 2 a.m. The cocktail workshop is the activity companies request most often. In the classic format of 1 hour 30, each participant makes two cocktails, one guided and one creative, which suits groups of 10 to 30. An inter-team challenge of 2 hours suits 20 to 60 people. A shorter workshop of 30 minutes to 1 hour can be built into an evening of 40 to 100 guests, with small groups rotating through a dedicated bartender while the others stay at the bar and buffet. Non-alcoholic mocktails are available. The venue also lists work seminars among its formats, and for daytime events it offers dry hire, where you bring your own caterer and drinks.
Weddings and receptions
The venue takes private receptions, including wedding vins d'honneur for up to 100 guests when the whole bar is hired. The Grand Salon opens onto a terrace and has a plant-covered glass roof. Birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties and leaving drinks are frequent bookings, from Tuesday to Saturday, with the option to bring your own cake.
Rooms and capacities
The Grand Salon and the small salon together hold up to 80 people, with direct access to the terrace and a setup that can be seated, standing or a mix of both. Le Phileas Fogg holds up to 30 people. It has a retro decor inspired by Jules Verne, a dedicated bar and its own sound. The official FAQ gives 20 to 50 people per lounge and up to 100 for a full hire of the bar. Hiring a space gives you your own bar, your own bartender and your own playlist, with a minimum spend that depends on the lounge and the time slot.
Catering
The chef prepares everything on site, so there is no outside caterer for evening events. Cocktail formulas come in 12 pieces per person for a generous aperitif or 18 pieces per person to replace a seated dinner. Vegetarian, gluten-free, pork-free and vegan options are available. Outside food is not allowed, except a birthday cake, and for daytime events dry hire with a corkage fee is possible.
History and setting
The bar dates from 1923 and the official site presents it as a family story mixing Corsican food and an Australian discovery. The decor is historic, with modern equipment added for events.
Getting there
The address is 87 rue de Turbigo, two steps from place de la République. The official site names République metro station as the closest. Hotels and the Marais are within walking distance, which helps groups staying overnight.
