The Great Sunday Club is Back: Avra’s Iconic Takeover Night Returns with Fine Drinking à la Française at Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens

Since its launch in May 2023, The Great Sunday Club has been an opportunity for in-the-know Athenians and global guests at Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens to discover some of the world’s finest mixologists and bar visionaries in one place. Now, the night that celebrates shared creative passion is back for 2024 with a dazzling line-up. On Sunday, February 25, 2024 from 6:30 to 10:00 pm, cocktail connoisseurs and Francophiles can discover the crème de la crème of France’s mixology talent on the Athens Riviera.  

February’s Great Sunday Club at Avra marks the opening night of a nationwide gastronomy week called Merci Chef! Running from February 25 to March 1, 1024 and hosted by the French Embassy in Greece, Merci Chef! celebrates the epicurean friendship between the two European nations through demonstrations, masterclasses, tastings, and more, while also showcasing the skills of Meilleur Ouvrier de France (M.O.F) craftspeople. Translating as “Best Craftsman in France,” the M.O.F is notoriously difficult to obtain, and Avra is delighted to welcome the first laureate of this prestigious award, Maxime Hoerth from Bar Pompette in Toronto, as part of the takeover.  

“We’re very excited to bring together a truly refined selection of France’s finest mixologists,” comments Avra Bar Manager Manon Kapfer. “We’ve rounded up the best from a country of connoisseurs for divine cocktail experiences alongside glittering sea views – all infused with the Avra vibes of connection, fun and togetherness.” 

Meet the bars, creatives and brands behind the French takeover:   

Maxime Hoerth and Hugo Togni from Bar Pompette, Toronto   

Originally from Strasbourg, co-owner and founder of Bar Pompette Maxime Hoerth was awarded the prestigious M.O.F in 2011 and loves nothing better than sharing his flair for inventive cocktails. Drawing on a background in France’s celebrated restaurants, co-owner Hugo Togni is passionate about minimalist drinks that deliver a lasting impression. Toronto’s Bar Pompette has garnered a dazzling array of awards since it opened in 2020, including #11 in Canada’s 100 Best; #15 in 50 Best America; and Disaronno Highest New Entry Award 2023.

This dynamic duo’s offerings include Amerisse Punch with Merlet Amerisse Bitter, Merlet Eau de Vigne, Mastiha liqueur, Champagne acid and kombu; and the not-to-be-missed Feuille De Vigne with its masterful merging of Merlet Brothers Blend, Vin Jaune, Merlet Peche de Vigne, sea buckthorn and beeswax. Showcasing the signature sips of Bar Pompette’s cocktails, Merlet has been distilling cognac alongside five generations’ worth of know-how since 1850.

Nico de Soto – Award-Winning Bar Owner and Consultant 

Parisian born and raised, renowned mixologist Nico de Soto’s glittering career has garnered accolades across the world’s most respected cocktail bars. From Paris to Melbourne, New York to London, the bars Nico honed his skills in regularly featured in the World’s Best lists. After co-founding after-dark speakeasy Danico in Paris in 2016, Nico went on to open influential cocktail bars in Miami and London. His modern style is inspired by world flavours and techniques discovered on his travels, while his Avra takeover creations are a homage to his homeland.

Channelling France’s iconic breakfast, Croissant et Café combines Citadelle gin with Dolin Rouge, Campari, pandan and, of course, croissant and coffee; while Ratatouille is a thrillingly inventive mix of olive-oil-washed Citadelle gin, red wine, herbes de Provence, tea, tomato water, eggplant, carrot, and more. Nico’s cocktails are infused with the sun-kissed flavours of wild juniper berries and 19 botanicals thanks to French gin pioneer Citadelle, who use a patented process of “progressive infusion” from a chateau in southwest France.

Corentin Gaudin from Danico, Paris

Driven by an urge to astonish with “liquid thrills,” Nico de Soto’s stylish cocktail bar, Danico - #51 in the World’s 50 Best Bars - brings Brooklyn speakeasy vibes to Paris’s former flagship Jean Paul Gaultier store. Talented Bar Manager Corentin Gaudin draws on skills honed across an already-brilliant career to craft vivid cocktails using iconic French flavours for the takeover. 

The refreshing Terrasse Parisienne combines St-Germain elderflower liqueur, mountain mint and white wine; while Café Moutarde Banane is a playful fusion of Grey Goose vodka, black mustard distillate, coffee liqueur, espresso and banana water. Corentin’s cocktails showcase the world’s first elderflower liqueur, St‑Germain, which contains up to 1,000 hand-picked elderflower blossoms in every bottle, as well as the pure French ingredients - soft winter wheat from Picardie and spring water from the Cognac region - of Grey Goose vodka.

 To enjoy fine drinking à la Française at Avra, call +30 21 0890 1197 and follow @avra_athens Instagram Page.