#21 | Spiritus, Mainz, Germany
Last Visit: Winter 2023/24
Mainz is another carnival stronghold alongside Cologne and a city steeped in history. However, the search for proper, distinct bar culture in Mainz is a little more complicated than in Cologne.
Considering the fact that the two state capitals of Mainz (Rhineland-Palatinate) and Wiesbaden (Hesse) are separated only by the river Rhine, you could assume that you are spoiled for choice in this region. But if you take a serious look at it, there are perhaps a handful of relevant bars in the two larger cities combined. As a native of Mainz, I have seen many different bars come and go over the past decade. Unfortunately, very few of them have lasted the test of time.
So all the better that a real gem celebrated its 10th anniversary in July 2022: Spiritus Bar.
Copyright: Spiritus Bar
The Spiritus Bar is located in the heart of the historic old town and is the place to go for classic bar culture in Mainz. Owner and bartender with heart and soul, Tobias Petri not only knows his craft, but also focuses exclusively on natural and home-made products in the preparation of his cocktails.
If you look through the floor-to-ceiling window of the half-timbered house from the outside, you get a first glimpse of the cozy, rather rustic and simple ambience of the bar, which has a very old-school American feel. The walls and ceiling inside are made of wood and brick, combined with dimmed lighting and a sophisticated sound concept, this gives the Spiritus its special charm. With 35–40 seats, reservations are recommended during the weekend.
Copyright: Spiritus Bar
The concept of the bar is based on the one side on predominantly classic drinks (also within the above-mentioned themes) and relies on the other side on individual consultation, where everyone gets their own personalized drink.
A relatively large selection of high-quality spirits, home-made infusions, cordials, blends, barrel-aged cocktails and an excellently trained team, as well as a constant stream of new ideas and approaches, are certainly what made the bar last and succeed up to its 10th anniversary.
A large chalkboard on the wall provides information about the latest drinks and special recommendations, so even those who want to make a quick decision will get their money's worth. If you are not afraid of a good, friendly, open-minded conversation, after seven years as a guest, I recommend taking one of the rather rare seats at the bar. Service for the guest is top priority. I can therefore say with a clear conscience that I have always enjoyed being a guest at Spiritus and have gone home with a happy feeling and positive memories after every visit.
Yuzu Champeng
| Haku Vodka
| Shiso leave
| Kumquat
| Soy milk
| Champagne
The Yuzu Champeng is a lighter, delicate drink with a flavor profile that doesn't need to hide, and is therefore the perfect way to start the evening. Clarified with soy milk, it is both drinkable and exotic. The attack is sparkling, fresh, with light grassy notes and a lovely fruity acidity from the Yuzu, which is wonderfully balanced. Some soy milk lingers in the background with a slight nuttiness, which is perfectly rounded off by the Persian cotton candy.
Popcorn Old Fashioned
| Popcorn infused Rum
| Chocolate Bitters
| Popcorn
It could also be called Everybody's Darling, as it is popular with both men and women. If you close your eyes and smell the drink, it immediately reminds you of the movies. A nice round, intense, sweet, caramel popcorn note with a certain spiciness as an accent. The taste delivers what the nose promises: liquid, palatable popcorn with a great sweetness of caramel, a little spice and subtle rum notes, rounded off with chocolate. So round and well-balanced that my personal preference for distinctive spirits almost makes me miss a few rougher edges. But that's exactly why it's so well received — a flatterer.
Sandelholz Boulevardier
| Tonka infused Rum
| Gran Classico
| Vermouth
| Sandalwood
New on the chalkboard and immediately caught my eye: Sandalwood Boulevardier. It exudes a slightly spicy, herbal fragrance with a distinctive, great sandalwood note. In my mind, it reminds me of a warm, soothing sauna infusion, with the difference that the drink warms from the inside instead of the outside. A full, complex interplay of aromas of warm sandalwood unfolds on the tongue, with beautiful hints of rum and a great tart, herbal fruitiness, rounded off with a pleasant sweetness that is always pleasantly caught up by the sandalwood. A drink to my taste that everyone should try, provided you like sandalwood as a flavoring agent.
Butcher’s Town Twist
| CDI Mauritius Grays Ex-Armagnac Cask 13YO SC Rum 53.1 %
| Michter’s US1* Single Barrel Rye
| PX Sherry
| Dry Curaçao
The surprise of the evening was a Butcher's Town Twist, which came from a conversation with the bartender to see what he could recommend. As the last drink of the evening, it was a successful finale and a twist that will be remembered.
The first sip is full-bodied and complex, with plenty of depth. Great rum and the resulting molasses notes, together with the spicy body of the rye, form the basis. The spiciness of the drink is surrounded by a great fruity sweetness of dried fruits, red berries and a fresh orange note that rounds everything off. The drink has what feels like an eternal standing time in the glass and so other flavors gradually come to the fore with the slow dilution, an interplay that is second to none.
In conclusion: Spiritus is a place to feel at ease, a friendly place that welcomes you in the here and now to let the time fly by with good conversations and excellent drinks.