A few weeks ago, as my husband and I finally got tired of being sequestered indoors and sought to enjoy new scenery, we found ourselves in a cozy, French lounge being caressed by soft jazz and low light.
Snow and ice still blanketed the landscape outside, but tucked into a back room in downtown Greensboro, the air was warm, the vibes right.
On a Friday evening, we ventured out to have a proper date night and forced ourselves out of the house. We settled on pizza at Mellow Mushroom for dinner, but figured we’d have a few drinks beforehand.
In recent years, tons of great cocktail options have popped up in the city. Standbys like Dram & Draught, GIA, and the various 1618 locations still offer solid drinks. But newcomers like Bitters Social House, The Quarter, Muddle, Neighbors, and Cocktail Cove have added to the landscape. One of the newest neighbors in town is hidden in the back of one of downtown Greensboro’s most beloved spots: Chez Genèse.
It feels a bit like a speakeasy.
Rather than entering from the restaurant’s main entrance off South Elm Street, you enter from the alley behind the restaurant through a nondescript door. The only indication that there’s a cocktail bar is a sign on the sidewalk and a note on the door. Upon crossing the threshold, you’re met with the restaurant’s stark hallway, but an immediate left and you’re completely transported.
Dark navy walls. Printed rugs. Velour amber armchairs. An array of table lamps. On one far wall, a chestnut-colored piano, on the other a gallery of framed art.
Louis Armstrong serenaded us from the speakers.
I could feel the seasonal depression melting off my shoulders.
Like the decor of its main dining room, the aesthetic is French grandma meets date night. It’s romantic, cozy, and my new favorite cocktail spot.
I ordered an espresso martini while Sam got a glass of red. In addition to the drink menu, visitors can order cheese or charcuterie for light bites or choose from an array of dessert options.
As we sipped our drinks in the back corner of the living room, it didn’t quite feel like we were in Greensboro.
Part of the allure, for me, of going out to eat is the feeling of being transported. It’s why we like to sit on the tatami mats at Mizumi or lose ourselves in a latte at Borough Coffee.
Each cocktail bar in Greensboro offers its own set of drinks, of course, but also its own aesthetic.
Bitters, set in an old house, is like drinking in your childhood home. Muddle gives off a darker, academia atmosphere while Neighbors and Cocktail Cove lean into the quirky ‘70s aesthetic. The Quarter sends you to Bourbon Street.
But pour moi, there’s nothing quite like an easy-like-Sunday-morning kind of feel. Add some accordion and velvety saxophone, and I’m yours.
The lounge at Chez Genèse does exactly that.
So the next time you’re looking to warm up and enjoy a glass, head to the back alley and walk through the doors for a perfectly vibey experience. Just remember, the lounge is only open on Friday evenings, which means you have all week to covet this comfort.
Santé!