The French Connection

Let’s say you’re a privileged Cameroonian unable to stand summer’s heat. Entourage in hand, you’d bolt for your estate’s backyard hut, or boucarou, to cool off, have some drinks, and shoot the breeze.

Spirited after this exotic lifestyle, the East Village’s aptly named Boucarou Lounge is a soothing escape year-round, but will have a surprise upstairs haven come summer. Soaring digs, candles, mocha suedes and velvets, and French management ooze sophisticated sexiness - all separating Boucarou from anything nearby.

Boucarou morphs from an after-work lounge and restaurant into a boîte de nuit around 11:30 p.m., with a DJ spinning House and a late night menu. Chef Malik Fall, formerly of Asia de Cuba, flavors French-Moroccan dishes with Asian nuances like filet mignon spring rolls and tempura goat cheese salad.

Bottle and half bottle service are offered (and are accompanied by goodies like fruit or chocolate), but you can also chill with cocktails like the chamomile infused Leblon Cachaça, and Navan vanilla liqueur in the “Tea De Rio”.

If you’re well dressed and without attuitude, you shouldn’t have a problem at the door. It’s infiltrating the chocolate leather walled Boucarou Room in back that’s très difficile.

Boucarou Lounge soft-opens this weekend, meaning food service may not be available until early next week.



Boucarou Lounge
64 East 1st Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues)
Tel: (212) 529-3262
boucaroulounge.com