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If you happened to visit Barcelona anytime in the past few years, then you probably heard of Two Schmucks, the legendary bar that took 7th place in the World’s 50 Best Bars list. Then, when the bar unexpectedly closed after some internal turmoil in 2022, there was speculation about what Juliette Larrouy, the mastermind behind the project, would do next.
It turns out she’s had her eyes set on New York City for a while, and she’s left Europe to open a new bar in the East Village with her business partner Moe Aljaff this fall. The upcoming project, Schmuck, is one of the most widely anticipated bar openings of the year, and today and tomorrow will be your last chance to preview some of their drinks at a pop-up before their brick-and-mortar location opens in a few months.
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The pop up, which has been going since February, is having its final days at the Back Bar in Midtown today and tomorrow starting at 6pm. There, you’ll be able to meet Larrouy and Aljaff, who are more than happy to give you the backstory on all the drinks on their menu, as well as two members of their dedicated team, Floriane Groux and Eliane Naeger.
Larrouy's background as a chef means that you’ve probably never tasted cocktails like the ones she’s making.
At the pop up, there are eight carefully crafted drinks you can choose from that were divided into three categories: Light, Full and Stirred. Among the highlights is a drink called “That scene from Ratatouille with Strawberry and Cheese,” a foamy concoction made with tequila, strawberry and Parmesan. Another one called “Lemon, Cheese & Pepper,” which is made with Bombay Sapphire, cantaloupe and mozzarella. Plus “Gemini Prime,” a great vermouth-based nightcap.
The one that stuck out to me most though was a banana drink called “Le Banané” that tasted exactly like a ripe banana. If that sounds off-putting, let me assure you that it wasn’t at all. It was silky and smooth and even though I was getting mildly buzzed, it was almost unsettling for how much it felt like I was eating the real fruit. Larrouy told me that this cocktail was pretty popular with a lot of other New Yorkers, too, and that the bar is probably going to end up having some version of it.
The pop up they’ve created at Back Bar was buzzing with excitement when I went and there’s a sense that you’re in the presence of cocktail masterminds. It also felt very social, which is what Larrouy tells me she wants the bar to feel. A couple next to me bought me a shot for no reason other than the fact that I was sitting next to them. In one corner of the room Larrouy and Aljaff put up the physical vision board on an easel with ideas they have for the space, open for everyone to look at. This pop up is the precursor to a longtime dream about to come true. Two of the best drinks makers in Europe are here in New York to prove that they have what it takes to succeed in the most competitive city in the world, and New Yorkers are extremely excited about it.
“I’m almost sad that the pop-up is over, but very excited for the opening now,” Larrouy tells Time Out. After the pop-up, Larrouy is going to dedicate the next several months to making sure everything looks good with Schmuck's future space in the East Village. That bar is going to have a backyard and she’s working with friends to make sure it feels elevated, complete with designer furniture, while also feeling welcoming and homey. There’s going to be a communal table for people to be able to meet and interact with strangers, although she doesn’t want to spoil too much. “The experience is not just going to be in your glass, it’s going to be translated in the space. We want to create a whole universe.”
The last two days of the pop up will likely have high demand. Make sure to show up early to secure your spot. The best way to learn about what Larrouy will be up to now until Schmuck’s opening? Follow her on Instagram.