Riviera Pebbles Blog: Le Comptoir Central Electrique, Nice

Posted on 7th Jan 2020 in Eats & Drinks

Meet the Niçoise hipsters in Le Comptoir

As its name suggests, the Comptoir was once an age-old electrical store where locals (this writer included) purchased light bulbs. Those same vintage bulbs now illuminate an impossibly trendy café-bar. The place also offers a chance to view French hipsters in their natural environment, as they pair Superga sneakers with tight Lacoste T-shirts while smoking Vogue slims.

From 9am café crèmes are served on the curated terrace of bistro chairs. Lunch specials (falafels verte, salade Niçoise, magret de canard) hover around the €15 mark. Evening drinks are pricey. Dinnertime entrecôtes are more expensive still at €20. Not that you’d notice: service at the Comptoir is akin to being waited upon by a supermodel - enduringly glamorous but decidedly dippy.

Le Comptoir is also the home of the €18 cocktail. At the bar, Hendrick's gin and Woodford Reserve bourbon are woven into one-strike-and-you’re-out alco-bombs. Such sustenance is needed as the establishment hosts events as varied as drag queen nights, beer tastings, dessert samplings, oyster evenings and, when Les Bleus are playing well, big screen football games to the accompaniment of chilled rosé.

10 rue Bonaparte, +33 6 23 80 55 61