Harry’s Bar between fake ballots and Bloody Mary
Since 1924, the MacElhone family has run the legendary Harry’s Bar in Paris. Today, Franz-Arthur MacElhone, Harry’s great-grandson, is breathing new life into this iconic venue. A reference you need to know.
Prior to the opening of this bar, the cocktail bar concept was little known in Europe, where mixing spirits was not commonplace. Harry’s Bar quickly conquered Paris with its daring cocktails and Harry MacElhone’s incredible charm. Its hushed decor and unique atmosphere have made it an institution in the French capital.
Harry’s Bar and the invention of the Bloody Mary
Harry’s Bar is also the birthplace of the famous Bloody Mary. In 1920, barman Fernand Petiot came up with the idea of mixing vodka with canned tomatoes, giving life to this iconic cocktail. Petiot then exported his masterpiece to the United States, where he perfected it by adding spices. He always said that the birthplace of the Bloody Mary was in Paris, at Harry’s Bar in the Opéra district.
The history of straw voting
In addition to its cocktail creations, Harry’s Bar is the originator of the famous straw vote. This is a mock vote organized during every American presidential election since 1924. The vote allows American expatriates and visitors to Paris to participate symbolically in the election. At the time, Americans could not vote by proxy, and Harry MacElhone came up with the idea of this vote to give them a voice.
Today, straw polling is a veritable institution, as reliable as any official poll. Every week, the first trends are written on the bar mirror, and the final result is revealed during a big election night. This year, to celebrate this event, special cocktails have been created in tribute to the candidates: the Trumpet and Kamala Harry’s Bar.
Iconic cocktails
In addition to the Bloody Mary, Harry’s Bar has spawned several other legendary cocktails. These include the Side Car, Blue Lagoon, French 75 and White Lady. Always true to its motto ” traditionally inventive “, the bar continues to innovate. The bar offers a rich menu of 400 cocktails, to the delight of connoisseurs.
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