an alcohol-free cellar opens in Rennes a few days before the Christmas holidays

See my news
Follow News Rennes

For a Friday evening aperitif or to have a good New Year’s Eve, it’s a bit binary choice which is essential when handing out your glass: to drink alcohol or not. Many people are asking themselves the question on the eve of the holidays… Eat well, drinking well is essentialbut it is still necessary moderate oneself when the belly is already full. To allow you to have tasty alternatives to the beer, au vin or even at spirits, an alcohol-free cellar and bar opened Friday December 13, 2024 in the city center of Rennes. With Thirstythe selection is taste and make no mistake: there is no not just sodascontrary to what one might believe.

250 references

In the Soif cellar and bar in blue and orange colors, the shelves have no less than 250 references.

“You have a universe rather cocktail with appetizers or spirits”, presents Arnaud, in his newly installed shop.

On the software side, we find jus, of kombucha (fermented drink), infusions, mate, soda, lemonade… Without forgetting wine (de-alcoholized and alcohol-free*) et dealcoholized beers (at least twelve references). Sparkling are also offered to customers.

As the cellar is also a bar, we do a lot of tasting. We prefer to present our products to customers to prevent them from leaving home dissatisfied.

“A new adventure”

This new project is the result of careful consideration. ” It is a new adventure which required a long process, says Arnaud, co-manager of the Soif cellar. With my partner and husband, Frédéric, we were both unemployed and we launched ourselves. »

Both in support and advice, the tandem wanted to keep a commercial fiber who animated them. After being impregnated alcohol-free bars and cellars in France – particularly in Nantes -, after having been coached, after skimming the lounges dedicated, Arnaud and Frédéric decided to open a store in Rennes at 2, rue Jules-Simon.

“We both live in Mordellesbut there, in terms of commerce, there is already everything,” smiles Arnaud.

On pedagogy

In the cellar, those interested push the door a little curious. “We do quite a bit of pedagogy, Arnaud says, it’s essential to prevent customers from being disappointed when they take bottles home with them. »

For example, we warn them that by tasting wine without alcohol they will be destabilized. Alcohol-free wine has no ethanol, so there is no length in the mouth. It’s a bit like drinking a glass of water, once swallowed, the taste doesn’t remain. But once you have tasted a lot of things, your brain understands and you develop a palate.

Furthermore, non-alcoholic drinks are not necessarily more sweet, quite the contrary. “Wine without alcohol is six times less calories than classic wine,” says Arnaud.

“Avoid serving orange juice”

Those who come to shop are not necessarily customers who have definitively said no to alcohol. Moreover, Arnaud and Frédéric both drink alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks.

“There are pregnant women, those who want a alternative, to taste something else…”, lists Arnaud.

There are people who will invite loved ones over for Christmas or New Year’s Eve on December 31 and who want to avoid serving a glass of orange juice to the person(s) who do not drink.

And then there are those whose little inner voice makes them doubt, as the holidays approach. “Non-alcoholic drinks also mean being able to drink without a second thought,” smiles Arnaud.

SOIF, 2, rue Jules-Simon in Rennes. Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. then from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cellar is closed on Mondays.

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.