Nightclub & Bar - October 2009

the onset of employment, plus ongoing education in the form of tastings at staff meetings, daily “brush ups” and encouraged attendance at monthly consumer tasting events, even if off duty. “Servers and bartenders cannot begin their shift until management feels they have substantial knowledge to communicate with guests,” notes general manager Maija Talikka.

The food menu consists mainly of light appetizers and desserts, and servers provide pairing advice to drive home the point that sparkling wine is the ideal food partner. House specialty spring rolls with a Blanc de Blancs are an often-ordered duo; Rosé is recommended with smoked salmon; and higher-end, more complex bottles shine with foie gras.

Regularly hosted tasting events explore the world of Champagne, educate guests about Flûte’s specialty and, ultimately, drive sales. “When our guests see that we offer a variety of events very similar to wine tastings or beer tastings, it helps to introduce the idea that Champagne can be an everyday luxury — and at an affordable price,” explains Talikka. At Gramercy’s monthly Champagne School, each class-room-style session (priced between $35 and $95) conducted by industry experts pairs three examples of a specific style of Champagne with three food items.

The Midtown location hosts a Champagne social on the last Wednesday of each month, where the focus is on socializing and sipping rather than education. A supplier representative from one Champagne house pours and discusses three wines, and the $32 fee also includes hors d’oeuvres. While neither of the monthly events comprises the majority of alcohol sales, they do send the message that Flûte encourages exploration and fun with Champagne every day—not just for celebrations or on holidays. This month, Flute founder Herve Rousseau began offering franchises of the concept.

Swanky Bubbles

Philadelphia and Cherry Hill, N.J.
www.swankybubbles.com

It’s all about the ladies at these two Philadelphia-area sparkling wine hot spots. The downtown location opened in 1999 with 120 seats including the bar, tables,

The Midtown New York location of Flûte offers a Champagne social monthly to educate and entertain.

ottomans and cubes; the nearby Cherry Hill location, which launched in 2007, touts 300 seats at a bar, high tables and a second floor lounge. Management is the first to admit that while the venues attract more women than men, the former tend to naturally draw in more of the latter.

Partner and director of marketing Vince Frankowski explains that the concept behind these bars is decidedly not beer- and spirits-based. The biggest-selling sparkling wine products are the 15 to 18 bubbly cocktails for which Swanky Bubbles locations have become known. Most popular with the “female-friendly crowd” are the Bellini, Blondie (Champagne, pineapple and Smirnoff Vanilla), Green M&M (Champagne, melon and Parrot Bay Coconut) and Metropolis (Champagne, strawberry-infused vodka and strawberry liqueur), all sold for $7 in Cherry Hill and $9 in Philadelphia.

While various styles are available, the menu lists all sparkling wines as “ Champagne” for simplicity — Frankowski explains that in his experience the general

Pick wick & Frolic’s Champagne bar menu includes details on styles, growing regions and methods.

public doesn’t differentiate. Six by-the-glass selections and about 25 bottles are offered in Cherry Hill, while Philadelphia boasts 15 and 24, respectively. Name recognition translates to sales: most often ordered by the glass are Möet & Chan-don’s Nectar Imperial and White Star, and Veuve Clicquot’s Yellow Label. Ordering a bottle entitles guests to higher-end glassware, and the popular aforementioned producers are joined by trendy Niebaum-Coppola Sofia Blanc de Blancs and the strikingly packaged Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Heredad Cava.

“Girlfriend Parties” held every few months and marketed via an e-mail list provide another opportunity for female bonding. An entrance fee of $20 to $30 per guest includes manicures and pedicures from local spas, three specific beverages and shopping opportunities. A recent party featured an American theme, with an Andrews Sisters-style singing group as well as vendors selling accessories, clothing and candles. “It’s a great push for business on a weekday,” notes Frankowski.

The Bubble Lounge

New York and San Francisco
www.bubblelounge.com

With locations on both coasts — New York’s chic Tribeca neighborhood and a historical district in San Francisco — these posh venues have been turning guests on to sparklers since 1996. The list focuses mainly on Champagne, but also includes options from all over the world—more than 300 different bottle selections and 25 by the glass, some of which rotate regularly. About half of alcohol sales result from sparkling wine.

Brands that have built-in name recognition are most popular, like Veuve Clicquot and Taittinger. Ten sparkling wine cocktails ($12 - $15) — including the classic Bubble Bellini, an effervescent version of the Mojito, and the Ruby Red, with Piper Heidsieck Champagne, Stoli Razberi and Chambord — offer guests more flavorful fizz.

Popular “Farmer Fizz flights” feature selections of grower Champagnes produced at houses whose farmers also grow the grapes, an uncommon practice in the Champagne region. The rotating $30 flights