Heaven knows it's difficult to find a decent bar that's open after 7pm in Monaco, where you can relax and chill out with friends. But things are looking up with the opening of Ni Bar, the stylish new night spot that's part of the Ni Hotel (see our report last week).
The bar's on the first floor, with its own entrance right next door to the hotel. It's divided into two areas, one large and lively, the other quieter, for chilling out. The main room has picture windows with great views down rue Princesse Caroline towards the port. The decor continues the 60s and 70s theme of the hotel lobby. We got the impression that Paco Rabanne had a hand in the interior design. Chains of silver discs mirror the constantly changing coloured light and give the place a space age disco feel.
So many places these days play music at a level that destroys any attempt at conversation. Not so at the Ni. The night we were there, tracks from Throwing Muses and Ralph Myerz & the Jack Herren Band provided an atmosphere conducive to both chatting and listening.
We started the evening with aperos, and liked it so much we returned for digestifs after dinner at La Provence nearby, purely for research purposes you understand. Early in the evening, the crowd was mostly trendy local workers, meeting friends after work, enjoying a glass of wine or a cocktail. We tried the Long Island Iced Tea and Mochito. Later on, we spotted more young people, perhaps meeting up before going on to a night club. But for us, the night was slowing down so we ordered a couple of whiskeys, then strolled on home to MaBoum Manor.
